Western PA District Attorney's Rape Charges Amended

Pittsburgh PA

20 October, 2021

11:50 AM

Description

WINDBER, PA — Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas now faces up to 50 years in prison after rape charges against him were amended. Thomas had a felony rape charge dropped on Tuesday, but sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault charges were added. Thomas, who waived a preliminary hearing and will now go to trial, also faces strangulation, simple assault and criminal trespass charges. Thomas also faces strangulation, simple assault and criminal trespass charges. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Thomas went to a female acquaintances home home in Windber, a small borough about 80 miles east of Pittsburgh, at about 11 p.m. on Sept. 18. He entered the home without permission and would not depart after being told to leave, police said. Thomas then sexually and physically assaulted the victim, according to police. Thomas previously was facing as many as 35 years in prison, but now could be sentenced to a half-century if convicted, Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Schulte told WTAE-TV. Ryan Tutera, Thomas' attorney, has denied any wrongdoing by his client. Thomas has taken a leave of absence from his job. A trial date has not been set. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.