ANDERSON — The day after an Anderson man was arrested on suspicion of child molestation, a Muncie man was taken into custody for allegedly molesting the same 12-year-old girl. And a 17-year-old girl could also face charges for having sex with the pre-teen.
Lucas C. Thomas, 21, Muncie, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of child molestation for allegedly fondling and allowing the 12-year-old to perform a sex act on him in April.
Thomas, who goes by the nickname “Skittles,” made an initial court appearance Friday, but has not been charged. Prosecutors asked for an additional three days to file formal counts. He was being held on $20,000 cash bond late Friday.
According to a probable cause affidavit written by Anderson police Detective Jake Brooks:
The girl told investigators she watched Thomas and the 17-year-old girl have sex at the teen’s home in April. The teen told investigators the 12-year-old asked if they could have a threesome, but the teen turned down the request. Following intercourse, the teen performed a sex act on Thomas. The 12-year-old then did the same.
Several days later, the three were again at the teen girl’s home and Thomas fondled and kissed both girls at the same time. The teen and the 12-year-old also fondled each other. On another occasion, the 12-year-old and the 17-year-old were at the teen’s home, and they fondled one another.
Both Thomas and the 17-year-old girl told investigators they knew the 12-year-old’s age. They confirmed to detectives the girl’s account of the incidents.
The police investigation was sparked after the 12-year-old’s mother discovered a suggestive letter the girl had written to Thomas.
The Herald Bulletin doesn’t generally identify those suspected of being the victims of a sex crime. The teen’s name is being withheld because she is a juvenile.
Brooks took Thomas into custody at the Delaware County Probation Department. Thomas was charged in October 2008 with child molestation in Delaware County, according to court documents. He was given pre-trial release from jail about two weeks after his arrest. As part of his release, he was ordered to live with his father in Anderson and report daily to a probation officer.
Thomas offered to plead guilty to a reduced charge of child seduction in March — a month before he allegedly had sex with the 12-year-old. Before his sentencing, he was ordered to undergo an evaluation to determine if he is a sexually violent predator. A pair of doctors determined he is not, however, according to court documents.
Thomas, who previously attended both Highland and Anderson high schools, was given a 18-month suspended prison term and placed on 18 months probation at his June 1 sentencing.
Police officials said paperwork has been forwarded to the Madison County Prosecutor’s Officer seeking to have the 17-year-old girl charged with child molestation as a juvenile. Her status wasn’t immediately known because she is a juvenile.
Prosecutors have already charged another man for allegedly having sex with the same 12-year-old.
Kody W. Riddle, 18, Anderson, was charged Thursday with two counts of child molestation for having sex with the girl.
The 12-year-old told investigators she met Riddle about a week ago. On Tuesday, the two went into an abandoned home along Jefferson Street. The girl said Riddle pulled down her shorts, pushed her to the ground, pinned her down and had sex with her.
The girl said she met with Riddle later on Tuesday to retrieve a sweatshirt he had taken from her while they were inside the abandoned home. She went with him to his residence. Once there, she told police Riddle pulled her into his bedroom and forced her to have sex.
Riddle told detectives he thought the girl was 13. He claimed the sex was consensual. He was being held on $50,000 cash bond late Friday.
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What’s next?
The Madison County Prosecutor’s Office has until Wednesday to file formal charges against Lucas C. Thomas. Thomas was arrested Thursday on suspicion of molesting a 12-year-old girl.