Dateline Tonight

Who Is Thomas Perez Jr. & Where Is He Now?

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Thomas Perez Jr. grew up in Fontana, California, where he lived a relatively quiet life with his father, Thomas Perez Sr., and their dog. Known to be a reserved and gentle man, Perez struggled with mental health issues, including anxiety and the need for psychiatric medication, which he managed under supervision. He lived a low-profile existence, surrounded by a small circle of friends and family, and had no history of violence or criminal activity.

Perez and his father shared a modest home, which was undergoing renovations in the summer of 2018. They had a close bond, and their dog was a central part of their daily routine. On August 7, 2018, Perez’s world was turned upside down when his father left the house and failed to return, prompting a call to local authorities—a decision that would alter the course of his life.

The Trauma That Defined Him

After reporting his father missing, Perez was taken to the Fontana Police Department for what he assumed would be a routine interview. Instead, he was subjected to more than 17 hours of psychologically abusive interrogation by detectives who were convinced—without evidence—that he had committed murder. Officers lied to him about finding his father’s body, told him his dog would be euthanized for “witnessing” the crime, and denied him medication.

Exhausted and emotionally broken, Perez eventually gave a false confession under pressure. At one point, surveillance footage showed him trying to take his own life in the interrogation room. All of this occurred while authorities were already aware that his father was alive and preparing to board a flight to Northern California.

Perez was held on a psychiatric hold for three days, isolated and unaware that the nightmare was built entirely on fiction. Only when a nurse facilitated a phone call did he learn the truth: his father was alive, and his dog had not been killed.

Legal Victory and Lingering Scars

Though no criminal charges were ever filed against him, Perez filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Fontana, alleging unlawful detention, coercive interrogation, and violations of due process. In 2024, the city agreed to a settlement of $898,000, while denying any wrongdoing.

Despite the financial compensation, Perez has been left with lasting psychological trauma. According to his attorney, Jerry Steering, the emotional and mental damage has reshaped every part of Perez’s life. He no longer trusts law enforcement and avoids contact with police whenever possible. “I don’t want any contact, ever, with any police officer,” he has said. “I see a police car, I look the other way.”

Where Is He Now?

Today, Tom Perez continues to live in California, focusing on rebuilding his life in private. He maintains a close relationship with his father, who stood by him throughout the ordeal. Although he has not taken on a public advocacy role, his story has become a powerful example in discussions about interrogation reform and police accountability.

The case has prompted wider conversations among legal experts, civil rights advocates, and lawmakers about banning deceptive interrogation practices, especially for individuals with mental health conditions. While Perez himself remains largely out of the spotlight, his experience has left a permanent mark on the public consciousness and helped fuel growing demands for change in American policing.

Tom Perez’s journey is not one of public activism or political ambition—it is the story of an ordinary man who became a symbol of systemic failure and the urgent need for reform. His life, though forever changed, is a reminder of how vulnerable people can become victims of the very systems meant to protect them.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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