Suspended Somerset district attorney could have bail revoked following new charges

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro this week filed a motion asking a judge to revoke the bond of suspended Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey L. Thomas after two new sets of charges were filed against him.

Thomas, 36, is awaiting trial on sexual assault charges. He now is accused of pursuing and striking a prosecution witness’ vehicle in Windber shortly after midnight March 31.

A hearing on Shapiro’s motion is set for 11 a.m. Friday.

Thomas faces harassment and reckless driving charges, stemming from an incident that was recorded by a police officer’s dash camera, according to the citations.

Shapiro’s office argues that the vehicle incident is the latest in a “pattern of violent behavior” that warrant Thomas’ bond to be revoked.

“(Thomas) has violated the conditions of his bond such that no condition or combination of conditions other than imprisonment will reasonably assure the safety of any person or the community,” states the motion filed by senior deputy attorneys general Patrick Schulte and Tomm Mutschler states.

In the March 31 pursuit, Thomas is accused of chasing a man on Somerset Street and 11th Avenue in his truck in an act to “harass, alarm or annoy” him, according to a Windber police citation.

Thomas was also cited and fined more than $400 for driving recklessly and failing to obey stop signs during the pursuit, according to court documents.

On Monday, state police filed charges of simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment after troopers alleged that Thomas was seen on a video call punching a woman as the two rode in a vehicle in May 2021.

Authorities said a woman said she was on the call and saw Thomas punch the other woman at least 10 times in the head and face. The woman said she determined that the alleged assault took place in a vehicle traveling between Cambria and Somerset counties. She later found the victim and took photos of her injuries.

Thomas is accused of attacking a woman in her Windber home in September. He faces sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, unlawful restraint and strangulation charges in that case.

His trial is scheduled to start in September. He has been free on $5,000 bond in that case since his arrest, according to court dockets.

Thomas was released from Cambria County Prison on Tuesday after posting $2,500 bond on the domestic assault-related charges troopers filed.

He is awaiting trial on charges involving a separate Windber woman. In that case, Thomas is accused of sexually assaulting and strangling her after entering her home despite warnings to stay away in September.

Thomas, who was elected in 2019, was suspended from his job last year after state police filed the sexual assault charges against him.

Thomas’ attorney, Ryan Tutera of Pittsburgh, declined comment. During prior court appearances, Tutera has said Thomas maintains he is innocent.