| For Immediate Release Case# 08SF0736
March 18, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
HIGH SCHOOL SECURITY SUPERVISOR AND BASKETBALL COACH CONVICTED OF UNLAWFUL SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH 16-YEAR-OLD FEMALE STUDENT
*Defendant also convicted of violating protective order by having unlawful sex with victim after posting bail in this case
NEWPORT BEACH – A high school security supervisor and part-time basketball coach was convicted today of having an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl, whom he met while working at Aliso Niguel High School. Thomas Cole, 33, Ladera Ranch, pleaded guilty to the court to two felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, two felony counts of oral copulation of a minor, two felony counts of sexual penetration by foreign object of a minor, six misdemeanor counts of violating a protective order, and a sentencing enhancement for committing a felony while he was out of custody for another felony case. Over the objection of the People, Cole is expected to be sentenced to one year in jail and five years of formal probation on April 10, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. in Department H-2, Harbor Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Between July 1, 2008, and Sept. 6, 2008, Cole had an unlawful sexual relationship with a 16-year-old female student from Aliso Niguel High School. Cole worked at the school as a supervisor of security and part-time basketball coach and met the victim, Jane Doe, at the high school. He took the victim to his then-home in Irvine and digitally penetrated, orally copulated, and had sexual intercourse with her.
Cole was arrested in September 2008 for the unlawful sexual relationship and a protective order was issued barring him from having any contact with the victim. On Oct. 22, 2008, the defendant posted bail and was released from custody after the Court reduced his bail amount from $100,000 to $50,000 over the objection of the People.
While out on bail, Cole contacted Jane Doe on several occasions by phone and in person in violation of the protective order. The defendant met the victim and again engaged in an unlawful sexual relationship including digital penetration, oral copulation and sexual intercourse. Cole was re-arrested and his bail was increased to $500,000.
Cole has also worked at Lakeside Middle School and Woodbridge High School in Irvine. Deputy District Attorney Nikki Buracchio of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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