PO man charged with molesting toddler

A 43-year-old Port Orchard man accused of fondling a 3-year-old female family member placed in his home pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony child molestation in Kitsap County Superior Court Thursday.

John Edward Thomas was arrested Monday morning after allegedly confessing to molesting the toddler, according to the Port Orchard Police Department.

Thomas faces life in prison for the charge, which includes an added allegation of domestic violence. He is currently being held in Kitsap County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Thomas’ alleged acts came to the attention of the police on Oct. 12, when an officer from the Wisconsin Department of Corrections called to report he had intercepted a letter the suspect wrote to an inmate of the New Lisbon Correc-tional Facility that detailed the molestation.

After receiving a copy of the letter, Officer Bob MacFann noted Thomas had sent the letter to a inmate serving a 40-year sentence for child sexual assault and exploitation, and had addressed it “fellow pervert.”

In the 12-page letter, Thomas allegedly detailed numerous sexual fantasies involving bestiality, necrophilia and pedophilia, and bragged of sexual contacts he had had with at least one minor in his home.

In particular, the defendant described at least one instance when he had molested a 3-year-old child in his home, forcing sexual contact and exposing himself to the young girl.

After contacting the Department of Health and Human Services, MacFann learned that although the defendant did not have an active foster care license, he did have three children placed in he and his wife’s home, which was allowed because the children were relatives.

MacFann said there was also a total of six children under 16 years of age living in the defendant’s home, which included the relative placements, two biological children and one adopted child.

All six children have been removed from the home and placed into protective custody, MacFann said.

MacFann said Thomas was arrested Monday after he came down to the police station and confessed. He told MacFann that family members had advised him to turn himself in.

Thomas’ trial is scheduled for Dec. 8. His next court appearance will be for an omnibus hearing Nov. 17.

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