Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Lynn Thomas was arrested after allegedly raping a woman inside her home last week, Pennsylvania State Police announced Wednesday.
According to police, the victim is Thomas' acquaintance. Thomas went to her Windber Borough home on Sept. 18. He allegedly entered the home without permission, stayed despite being told to leave, then raped and assaulted the woman inside.
Thomas was arraigned Wednesday evening and remanded to the Cambria County Prison on $5,000 bond.
“The charges this defendant is facing for a violent attack are deeply disturbing. Mr. Thomas is entrusted by the public to uphold the law and serve as a voice for victims. I commend the bravery of the victim that has come forward — that is never an easy thing to do, especially when your abuser is a powerful elected official. Today is a reminder that no one is above the law,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
Greg Rowe, executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, released a statement to News Radio KDKA Thursday morning.
"No one is above the law," he said. "The allegations outlined today in Somerset County deeply disturb us. Everyone involved in the criminal justice system has a legal and ethical obligation to follow the law and to conduct themselves with the utmost integrity – no one more so than the District Attorney. Any individual’s failure to either act lawfully or in accordance with their ethical obligations is wholly unacceptable."
Defense attorney Ryan Tutera is representing Thomas, and says his client has posted bail and should be out of jail Thursday.
"I'd ask the public to give him a fair shot," Tutera said. "He's presumed innocent. The law presumes him innocent. He'll have his day in court, and we would ask that the public withhold any judgement one way or the other regarding this matter. We believe that the truth will come out, and he'll have his day in court and face his accuser."
Thomas faces multiple charges, including rape, indecent assault, strangulation, simple assault and criminal trespass.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 29 at 11 a.m.