Jeffrey Thomas, 36, was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly raped and assaulted a woman after entering her home uninvited
A Pennsylvania county district attorney is facing rape and assault charges after he allegedly entered a woman's home uninvited and attacked her before warning her not to call the police.
The Pennsylvania State Police began their investigation of Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas last Tuesday, after the alleged victim came forward.
A police report alleges that Thomas, 36, first messaged the victim on Snapchat on September 18 at around 11pm, telling her he would be at her home in a few minutes. She replied that he was not welcome.
But he entered the Windber home 'by subterfuge,' according to the New York Times, carrying several cans of beer in one arm, and handing her one.
She again asked him to leave, and when he did not, she grew agitated and slapped him, police said.
Thomas then allegedly slapped her across the face, causing her nose to bleed, before pulling down her sports bra and choking her.
He then bit her breasts and raped her, police allege.
Thomas later grabbed her by her neck and hair and asked whether she was going to call the police. He only left after she said he would not, authorities said.
On Tuesday, detectives searched the woman's home and found beer cans along with the clothing she had been wearing at the time of the attack, the Daily Beast reports.
Thomas was arrested shortly after 8pm on Wednesday.
He has been charged with rape, indecent and simple assault, strangulation and criminal trespass.
The Somerset County District Attorney's Office could not immediately be reached for comment.
Thomas is the Republican District Attorney of Somerset County, a suburb of Pittsburgh
Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania attorney general, said in a statement that the charges against Thomas were 'deeply disturbing,' as the district attorney 'is entrusted by the public to uphold the law and serve as a voice for victims.
He added on Wednesday that 'today is a reminder that no one is above the law.'
Shapiro also commended the alleged victim for being brave enough to come forward, saying: 'That is never an easy thing to do, especially when your abuser is a powerful elected official.'
Authorities say Thomas had known the alleged victim 'in a professional capacity' for years, and he had repeatedly contacted her 'to initiate a sexual relationship.
He had walked into her house uninvited before, they said, and would 'routinely drive around her residence.'
The alleged victim and another woman who identified herself in court documents as a 'current or former sexual or intimate partner' of Thomas' have since been granted protection from abuse orders against him, with the alleged victim also receiving one
