Published: May 22, 2008 11:45 pm         

Ex-teacher charged with sexual misconduct

Former West Vigo coach Tommy Thornton will go on trial in October

TERRE HAUTE — Former teacher and coach Tommy Thornton was booked into the Vigo County jail Thursday after allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old student were read against him in court.

Thornton, 37, who recently resigned his position as machine trades teacher and varsity boys basketball coach at West Vigo High School, appeared in Vigo Superior Court Division 3, where Judge David Bolk charged him with child seduction, class-D felony, attempted child seduction, class-D felony and public indecency, a class-A misdemeanor.

A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Thornton was released from jail on $15,000 bail, with 10 percent accepted that afternoon.

Bolk scheduled a trial date of Oct. 28.

“I’m extremely confident that this will end in a conviction,” stated Vigo County Sheriff’s Department Detective/Sgt. Frank Shahadey, safety and security specialist for the Vigo County School Corp.

Shahadey, lead investigator in the case, said “I just feel really, really bad for the victim and the school corporation.”

Thornton is accused of exposing himself to a 17-year-old female student as well as fondling and rubbing up against her on separate occasions, as well as asking her to “pinky promise” not to tell anyone about the instances and other graphic discussions.

“Every time situations like this arise in our community, it puts our stomach in a knot,” Shahadey said, noting that people have lost trust in someone in a position of authority.

Prosecutor Terry Modesitt read aloud in court a letter issued by the school corporation, requesting that Thornton be barred from school property and all affiliated off-campus functions and activities.

Defense attorney Bill Smock protested the letter being read aloud, terming it “inappropriate” and noting that the school corporation could have communicated its wishes through legal channels, “not reading some letter from some administrator in their office in open court.”

Bolk ordered Thornton remain off school property and away from activities as a condition of his release. He also is barred from communicating with the victim.

“I was told that it’s their policy,” Modesitt said regarding the letter and the school corporation’s request.

Thornton declined to comment while being led out of the courtroom.

A conviction of a class-D felony can carry as much as three years in prison and $10,000 in fines. A class-A misdemeanor can carry as much as one year in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Brian Boyce can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.