COLUMBUS — The prosecutors in the criminal case of a Columbus man who was arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of a 17-year-old Indiana girl have asked a federal court for a second extension on the time allotted to return an indictment or bill of information. One of the reasons they have cited is the fact that defendant Tyler N. Thomas faces a potential death penalty if convicted.
Thomas, 39, was arrested on Jan. 31 on a warrant out of Franklin County, which accused him of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, and tampering with evidence. A criminal complaint was later filed against him in U.S. District Court for alleged sexual exploitation of a minor, and travel in interstate commerce with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
According to federal court documents, investigation by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies connected Thomas to the disappearance in January of 17-year-old Hailey Buzbee from her home in Fortville, Indiana. Thomas reportedly denied killing Buzbee, but allegedly directed investigators to a Perry County site in the Wayne National Forest where her dismembered body was found to be buried…