A sergeant in the Colorado Springs Police Department allegedly confronted a 10-year-old girl who had accused him of inappropriately touching her and intimidated her to get her to recant her statement, according to an arrest affidavit.
Glenn Eric Thomas, 58, was arrested last month and charged with victim intimidation and tampering, both felonies, and three counts of violating a protection order, according to court records. He has not been charged with inappropriate sexual contact.
The girl, who stayed at Thomas’s home earlier this year, told multiple people, including a social worker and Woodland Park police, that Thomas reached under her shirt and touched her inappropriately while she appeared to be asleep at his home in August, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Denver Post. She pretended to be asleep until he left the room.
Woodland Park police interviewed Thomas about the allegations on Oct. 4 and he denied touching her, according to the affidavit. Hours later, he confronted the girl and repeatedly asked her whether she was lying and told her he could be arrested, according to the affidavit.
In later interviews with police, the girl said she told Thomas her accusations were a lie because she was afraid he would hurt her, that she had previously seen him hurt other people and he had punished her for “lying” and “telling stories” when she told the truth in the past.
The Woodland Park sexual-contact investigation into Thomas was inactive as of Oct. 9, according to the affidavit. Woodland Park police did not respond to multiple requests to confirm whether the case was closed, but officials previously told KOAA-TV they’d closed the case because probable cause could not be established.
Related Articles
Colorado Springs police sergeant arrested on suspicion of victim intimidation, violating protection order
Supporters of Colorado Springs’ Black mayor faked burning cross, racist slur during 2023 campaign, feds allege
Colorado on track to see deadliest year for police shootings since 2020, data shows
Driver killed in I-25 fuel truck crash in Colorado Springs identified
Body-worn camera footage of Colorado Springs police shooting of armed, suicidal man released
A woman filed for a protection order against Thomas in April, alleging she and her children had to move multiple times because of “previous threats, violence and harassment” by Thomas and that he continues to try to find out where she lives, according to court records.
The woman also alleged Thomas told her he could “get away with anything” and that the police department laughed when she reported him for domestic violence and child abuse.
Thomas has worked at the Colorado Springs Police Department for 31 years, most recently in the DUI unit at the Gold Hill station. He is now on paid administrative leave.
Thomas was released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond and is set to appear in court Tuesday.
Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.