December 24, 2020
James Peter Thomas
By JOSH FRIEDMAN
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s detectives arrested a former local Cal Fire captain earlier this month for sexual assault.
James Peter Thomas, 56, recently retired from the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department. It is unclear whether he retired before or after his arrest on December 14.
On December 9, a person reported a sexual assault to the SLO County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives conducted an investigation, arrested Thomas and charged him at SLO County Jail.
Thomas has now been released from custody.
The sheriff’s officers are recommending the SLO County Attorney’s Office to charge Thomas with a single charge of sexual assault for misdemeanor.
In 2019, Thomas received $ 217,732 in full payment and state benefits, according to Transparent California.