PENNSYLVANIA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that the former Somerset County District Attorney, Jeffrey L. Thomas, was sentenced this week to 2 ¼ to 7 years in prison for charges related to a September 2021 attack at a Windber woman’s home.
A Somerset County jury convicted Thomas in March of six charges: indecent assault, strangulation, simple assault, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and criminal trespass.
Thomas, 37, is required to register his whereabouts with police as a sex offender, for 15 years.
“Jeffrey Thomas was chosen by the voters to protect the citizens of Somerset County,” said Attorney General Henry. “Instead, he violated his oath and duty, causing serious harm to his victim and those close to her. This sentence is a reminder that no one is above the law, and my office will hold violent offenders accountable, no matter their position or profession.”
An investigation by the Office of Attorney General found that on the night of the incident, Thomas entered the victim’s home and refused to leave, ultimately beating and sexually assaulting her. Trial testimony indicated Thomas had contacted the victim for months, sending inappropriate and unwanted messages and images.
The victim testified that Thomas’s position as District Attorney was intimidating and prevented her from immediately reporting the unwanted contact.
This case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy General Patrick Schulte and Senior Deputy Attorney General Tomm Mutschler.
Thomas faces a separate criminal case, also being prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General, regarding domestic abuse allegations in Cambria County. Thomas is presumed innocent in that matter.
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