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A man accused of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 10 in Chehalis between 2017 and 2019 has been charged in Lewis County Superior Court.
Richard Jonathan Thomas, 42, of Tumwater, was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at 12:30 p.m. on May 30, according to jail records.
He was charged Monday, June 2, in Lewis County Superior Court with two class A felonies carrying a maximum penalty of life in prison and two class B felonies carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Each charge carries a domestic violence enhancement.
Thomas was arrested following an investigation by the Chehalis Police Department into a Child Protective Services report that was submitted on March 3, according to court documents. According to the Child Protective Services report, the victim had told a Child Protective Services representative that Thomas had sexually assaulted her in Chehalis about five years prior. The victim had a medical exam on May 21 and relayed the same narrative to a nurse practitioner, according to court documents.
“Obviously, the state’s primary concern in this case given the allegations and the charges is community safety,” Deputy Prosecutor Joe Bassetti said of Thomas’ case during his preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, where he recommended that bail be set at $250,000.
Due to his lack of criminal history and the fact that bail was set at $50,000 over the weekend, defense attorney Rachael Tiller asked for Thomas’s bail to be reduced to $25,000.
Tiller also noted Thomas’ financial status, relaying that he is currently employed as a mechanic but is “not sure that he’ll have this job much longer.”
“This case presents a significant risk to community safety as well as the alleged victim in this matter,” said Judge Joely Yeager, who granted the prosecution’s request for $250,000.
Yeager also added provisions to Thomas’ conditions of release prohibiting him from having any contact with children or going anywhere children are known to congregate, such as parks and schools, until his case is resolved.
A no-contact order in favor of the victim is in place.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, June 5.
