CO Sheriff Guilty Of Taking Inmate Home For Sex

STERLING, CO -- A former rural Colorado sheriff was found guilty of first-degree official misconduct after being accused of sexually assaulting a developmentally delayed female inmate in his home in 2016.

A Logan County jury found former Sedgwick County Sheriff Thomas “TJ” Hanna, 45, not guilty of charges of sexual assault on an at-risk adult, second-degree kidnapping and soliciting prostitution.

Hanna will have his peace officer certification revoked as a result of the conviction, a statement from the 18th Judicial District Attorney said.

The case was prosecuted in Sterling by prosecutors from the 18th Judicial District at the request of the 13th Judicial District.

Hanna was recalled from office in January, 2017.

On Aug. 10, 2016, the victim was in Sedgwick County Jail after being arrested for domestic violence.

A deputy complained that Hanna agreed to bring the woman to the Logan County jail in his own personal vehicle. That vehicle was later seen at Hanna's home.

The woman told investigators Hanna took her to his house and made her take off her clothes, and offered her $60 for sex, then touched her inappropriately.

“If I say anything, he was going to try and put me in prison,” she reportedly told investigators. When she put her clothes on, the woman told investigators he told her he "did not want to give her $60 bucks for nothing."

Hanna reportedly deposited $20 into her jail account at Logan County jail, explaining to investigators that “he has a big heart and wanted to make sure the woman could call her brother."

Hanna was arrested in August, 2016 and a judge set his bond at $250,000 and required him to wear a GPS ankle shackle monitor.

Sentencing for Hanna is scheduled for July 11.

Image via Logan County Jail