Coach arrested for possession of child pornography

[piratebg]

I jus saw this on the news. He is a former coach from Orange Grove and Beeville, and currently accepted a job to coach at Poth. His last name is Thomas and that is all I got. Anyone know who this guy is?

[luvhoops34]

FYI: THIS PERSON WAS JUST RECENTLY HIRED BY POTH ISD AND HAS NOT, I REPEAT NOT STARTED TEACHING/COACHING THERE


Teacher and coach is charged in child pornography case

Web Posted: 08/03/2006 11:00 PM CDT

Guillermo Contreras
Express-News Staff Writer

A schoolteacher and coach who worked in communities between San Antonio and Corpus Christi has been charged with possessing child pornography.
FBI agents arrested Gerald Mark Thomas, 46, of Poth, on Wednesday evening after a federal grand jury indicted him. He made a brief court appearance Thursday in federal court in San Antonio and was released on unsecured bond.

His lawyer, Bernie Campion, said Thomas vehemently denies the allegations. Campion waived Thomas' arraignment, meaning a not guilty plea was entered on Thomas' behalf.

"He had received accolades both professionally and as a coach," Campion said. "He's a respected member of the community. The allegations tear him up personally, socially and in every other way."

The indictment alleged that between 1999 and 2004, Thomas regularly accessed Internet Web sites whose primary focus was the distribution of child pornography. After an inspection of files in a computer that was at Thomas' home, agents found images of child pornography, the indictment said.

Thomas worked for various schools, including Karnes City Junior High School and Orange Grove High School and in Floresville and Beeville, officials said.

Campion said Thomas recently accepted a position at Poth High School. He said the charges have no connection to the schools or school property.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Nowak ordered Thomas to be on home detention and electronic monitoring, and not to access the Internet unless monitored by a program that keeps his computer use in check. The judge also ordered him not to have contact with minors, except for supervised contact with his 3-year-old child.

If convicted, Thomas faces up to 10 years in prison.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gcontreras@express-news.net

[piratebg]

Originally posted by luvhoops34
FYI: THIS PERSON WAS JUST RECENTLY HIRED BY POTH ISD AND HAS NOT, I REPEAT NOT STARTED TEACHING/COACHING THERE


The news said he was just hired, so that is why I said he had just accepted the job. Thanks for the info hoops. The news was a little vague on the details.

[luvhoops34]

Originally posted by piratebg
The news said he was just hired, so that is why I said he had just accepted the job. Thanks for the info hoops. The news was a little vague on the details.

I didn't put that there for your benefit. I had posted it over on allsports yesterday and it was just easier to cut and paste.

[SnyTigBaseB07]

Wow I sure hope that this dude doesnt get jacked like i think he is, I mean its one thing to disgrace yourself, but its another to shame a team and its reputation, can anyone say Duke Lacrosse all over again?

[Bandera YaYa]

Amazing, what the heck was this man thinking?? It's kinda scary.......apparently he has been around kids a long time.....wonder what is down the road for this perv.......I wonder how many people knew he did this, over the years and just looked the other way.......hmmmmmmmmmm...well if they have actual files with it and they were in his possession, I'd say he'd toast! Ya'll do realize, the best place for a child molester and a child pornographer to work, is at a school.

[luvhoops34]

The news tonight said he accidentally mailed some child pornography to a friend and the friend turned him in, that's how he got caught.

[SnyTigBaseB07]

Originally posted by luvhoops34
The news tonight said he accidentally mailed some child pornography to a friend and the friend turned him in, that's how he got caught.


:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :nerd:

i think he gets an award for "most retarded coach ever"

[SWMustang]

Originally posted by luvhoops34
The news tonight said he accidentally mailed some child pornography to a friend and the friend turned him in, that's how he got caught.

Well then, that doesn't sound so bad. Who hasn't accidentally mailed their friends some kiddy porn?

[luvhoops34]

Oh the irony of it all....Sending a child porn email to the wrong person by mistake. Makes you wonder what pervert he was really trying to send it to.