HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 4, 2022, Kenneth William Thomas, age 57, pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse and was sentenced to 75 months in prison by Washington County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Proctor. Senior Deputy District Attorney Allison Brown prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

On January 1, 2021, the defendant, who was already a convicted sex offender, approached the 21-year-old victim at a bus stop in Cornelius, Oregon. He was a complete stranger to the victim. He offered her methamphetamine and she refused and tried to ignore him. Both the victim and defendant then boarded the bus. 

The victim exited the bus in Forest Grove, Oregon and the defendant followed her. He then attacked her from behind and put his hand over her neck and mouth and asked her if she was ready to die. He pressed his body up against hers while in an aroused state, and they continued to struggle until the victim was able to escape his grasp. People in the area heard her screams and called police. 

Forest Grove police responded and found the defendant a few blocks away. He appeared to be under the influence and admitted to using methamphetamine that day. He had a variety of concerning items with him including a knife, latex gloves, and sex toys. He admitted he had contact with the victim and that she appeared to have developmental disabilities but denied touching her. The victim positively identified Mr. Thomas as her attacker. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office wishes to acknowledge the work of Forest Grove police and CARES Northwest on this case. The victim should also be commended for her courage in seeing the case through to prosecution. 

Mr. Thomas will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence.