The owner of multiple Millbrook businesses turned himself in to the Millbrook Police Department after allegations of sexual misconduct.
Jesse W. Thomas, 33, of Millbrook, owns Adventure Kids Preschool and Nursery and was arrested and charged with sexual misconduct, a Class A misdemeanor, Aug. 21.
A warrant for his arrest was secured after an alleged victim and employee of the daycare swore out a warrant for Thomas’ arrest on Aug. 19.
Millbrook police chief P.K. Johnson said Thomas was a reserve officer with the Coosada Police Department.
“He resigned his position with the department prior to surrendering himself on the arrest warrant held by the Millbrook Police Department,” Johnson said. “The offenses allegedly occurred at the victim’s place of employment.”
The place of employment is owned by Thomas, according to Johnson.
According to court documents the victim said Thomas, who is married, made statements to her beginning April 9 complimenting her appearance. Thomas commented again May 29.
“He said I should leave my fiance and join him and his wife,” the victim stated in court documents. “I said no that I have a fiance and that’s gross.”
According to court documents, the victim claimed Thomas approached her again Aug. 1 while she was changing a child at the daycare.
“He came up from behind me and lifted my hair and kissed my neck,” the victim stated. “I told (Thomas) no and he told me to join (he and his wife).”
The victim’s statement said Thomas approached her headed to the copy room of the daycare on Aug. 6
“He grabbed my upper arm and pulled me away from the door,” the victim said. “(He) was holding my arm (and) told me I was so beautiful.”
The victim said Thomas then put his hand in her pants.
“With my free arm I started to push him and take his hand out of my pants while asking him to stop,” the victim’s statement reads.
The victim claimed Aug. 9 she had lost a debit card and went to Thomas to see if someone had turned it in. She said Thomas made sexual remarks about what he wanted to do to her. Later in the day, the victim alleged Thomas blocked her from leaving a room and her. Then later in the bookbag room she was blocked by Thomas again.
“He was going for a hug, then reached for my (breast),” the victim said. “...I pulled away and said, ‘Stop.’”
In the victim’s statement she constantly said no to Thomas’ advances and the “sexual contact was clearly unwanted.”
The victim said the facility has cameras but is unsure who has access to them.
Johnson said the alleged victim petitioned the Millbrook Municipal Court for the warrant. According to Alabama law, because sexual misconduct is a misdemeanor, law enforcement would have had to see the alleged misconduct or a resulting injury to take action.
Thomas posted a $1,000 bond and was released.
“He was treated as any other citizen charged with a criminal offense, being placed under arrest on the warrant, processed and released upon satisfying bond requirements,” Johnson said.
