Former Sonoma Group Home Counselor Accused Of Sexually Abusing Teenage Boy

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A Rohnert Park man was arrested Saturday on suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and sexual assault of a minor while employed as a counselor at a residential treatment center for at-risk boys.

Sonoma County sheriff's detectives began investigating Kevin Scott Thorpe, 39, on June 1 when a 23-year-old man reported that he had been a victim of sexual abuse while residing at the Hanna Boys Center in the Sonoma Valley between 2006 and 2011, Sonoma sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum said Monday.

The abuse, which allegedly began when the boy was 13 years old and continued until the victim was 18, occurred not only at the Hanna Boys Center campus but at Thorpe's home, according to the sergeant.

"The victim was in fear of getting in trouble and being kicked out of the Sonoma group home if he told anyone so he kept this private until now, as he fears of ongoing sexual abuse with other minors," Crum said.

"Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office’s Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit investigated the man’s claims and they feel there is sufficient evidence to believe Thorpe sexually assaulted the victim as a teenager," Crum said.

Thorpe was taken into custody by the detectives Saturday when a warrant was served at his Rohnert Park home. Thorpe was booked into the Sonoma County Jail, where he was being held in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Detectives believe there may be additional possible victims, either at Hanna Boys Center or in the community where Thorpe volunteers in a youth ministry program for teens, Crum said. Additional victims or anyone with information regarding the investigation should contact the detectives assigned to the case by calling 707-565-4300.