October 11, 2023: Former Cecil County Sheriff’s Deputy Pleads Guilty to Misconduct in Office and Visual Surveillance with Prurient Intent

Maryland State Prosecutor Charlton T. Howard III announced today that former Cecil County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kyle L. Thomas, pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in office and one count of visual surveillance with prurient intent.

According to the statement of facts read in the courtroom, Thomas served as a Deputy for the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office from February 2021 through July 2023.

In 2020, Thomas began having a romantic relationship with a woman identified as “VICTIM 1”. During their relationship, Thomas shared sexual photos and videos with VICTIM 1, primarily using the social media application Snapchat. Thomas was married to someone other than VICTIM 1 and suggested that he and VICTIM 1 communicate using Snapchat because communications and other exchanges typically disappear from the application once viewed.

In June 2021, while on duty as a sworn Deputy and acting in his official capacity, Thomas took an explicit video of himself in his police uniform, in the Sheriff’s Office, and shared the video with VICTIM 1 on Snapchat.

VICTIM 1 ended her relationship with Thomas in approximately August 2021. VICTIM 1 reported Thomas to the Sheriff’s Office and the Office initiated an internal investigation. When Thomas learned of the investigation, he filed charges with a Cecil County Commissioner, requesting that criminal charges be filed against VICTIM 1 for presenting the Sheriff’s Office evidence against him.

According to the statement of facts, from 2019 through May 2023, Thomas was in a sexual relationship with another woman, identified as “VICTIM 2.” Thomas took photos and videos of VICTIM 2 engaged in sexual acts, without her knowledge or consent, and sent the videos to dozens of different social media users. Thomas paid several of the users to watch the videos.   

When VICTIM 2 attempted to end her relationship with Thomas, he threatened to post photos and videos of VICTIM 2 on social media. In May 2023, Thomas received a copy of a search warrant affidavit in this investigation that contained statements made by VICTIM 2. The next day, Thomas sent VICTIM 2 a photo of the affidavit accompanied by expletives calling VICTIM 2 a “liar” and a “b****.” In May 2023, VICTIM 2 obtained a Final Protective Order against THOMAS.

According to the statement of facts, as part of the internal investigation by the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas was served with a No Contact Order in October 2022. The Order prohibited Thomas from having contact with VICTIM 2. Nonetheless, from at least November 2022 through May 2023 Thomas repeatedly contacted VICTIM 2.

The Honorable Paul M. Bowman accepted Thomas’ guilty plea in Cecil County Circuit Court today. Sentencing has been set for January 10, 2024, at 2:00pm.

“When law enforcement officers who are supposed to protect and serve instead victimize the citizens of our communities, they must be held accountable,” said Howard. “We will continue to investigate and, where appropriate, charge individuals who engage in behavior that undermines the values of the offices they hold.”

Mr. Howard thanked Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Abigail E. Ticse and Deputy State Prosecutor Sarah R. David for their work on this case. He also commended the investigative efforts of Special Agents Michael Berg and John Sieracki at the Office of the State Prosecutor and acknowledged the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police for their assistance.

A copy of the statement of facts read into the record at the October 11, 2023 plea hearing can be found HERE.