Dentist accused of coercing underage girls to send nude images on Discord

OAK BROOK, Ill. – A suburban dentist has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies after a months-long investigation revealed he allegedly used the popular social platform Discord to manipulate and coerce underage girls into sending him explicit images of themselves, authorities said Tuesday.

Dr. Marcus Thorne, 42, a practicing dentist at a private clinic in Oak Brook, was taken into custody Monday evening at his home. He faces charges including solicitation of a minor and distribution of harmful material to a minor, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The investigation began in February after the parent of a 15-year-old girl discovered disturbing messages on her daughter’s Discord account. The parent immediately contacted the Oak Brook Police Department, which then launched a full-scale cybercrimes investigation in conjunction with the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

“This case is a chilling reminder that predators can hide behind any screen and any profession,” said Oak Brook Police Chief James Kruger in a press conference Tuesday morning. “The suspect allegedly leveraged his position of trust in the community to create a false sense of security online, preying on the vulnerability of young people.”

According to the criminal complaint filed in court, Thorne allegedly operated under a pseudonym on several Discord servers popular with teenagers, including those dedicated to video games and art. Investigators allege he would befriend the young users, often offering to help them with homework or give them advice, thereby gaining their trust.

Once a rapport was established, prosecutors claim Thorne would slowly escalate the nature of the conversations, eventually pressuring the victims to send revealing photos. When some resisted, he allegedly used manipulative tactics, including threats to share their private conversations with their parents or peers, to coerce them into complying.

Authorities have identified at least three alleged victims, ages 14 to 16, from Illinois and two other states. The investigation is ongoing, and detectives believe there may be more.

“The digital breadcrumbs in this case were extensive,” said a source close to the investigation who was not authorized to speak publicly. “The suspect was sophisticated, but he made mistakes. We are now working with law enforcement in other jurisdictions to follow every lead.”

Discord, a voice, video, and text communication service, has over 150 million monthly active users and is particularly popular with younger demographics. While it is a primary tool for community building, law enforcement officials have repeatedly warned that its semi-private nature can be exploited by predators.

A representative for the dental practice where Thorne worked, Oak Brook Family Dental Care, issued a statement confirming he has been placed on indefinite leave. “We are shocked and deeply disturbed by these allegations,” the statement read. “Dr. Thorne’s alleged actions are in complete opposition to the values of our practice. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement.”

The Illinois State Board of Dentistry has been notified and is expected to suspend Thorne’s professional license pending the outcome of the criminal case.

Thorne appeared in bond court Tuesday afternoon, where a judge set his bail at $500,000. He did not enter a plea. His attorney, when reached for comment, stated, “Dr. Thorne is a respected member of his community and is presumed innocent until proven guilty. We will be mounting a vigorous defense against these allegations.”

Police are urging any parents who suspect their children may have had contact with the online profile described in the investigation to contact the Oak Brook Police Department or their local ICAC Task Force.

“Talk to your kids,” Chief Kruger implored. “Know what apps they are using and who they are talking to. An open dialogue is the first and best line of defense.”