Columbia Man Accused Of Being Sexual Predator

CHATHAM, NY — A Columbia County man faces multiple felonies after being accused Monday of rape and other criminal sexual behavior.

The New York State Police, in conjunction with the Columbia County Child Advocacy Center and the Columbia County District Attorney's Office, charged Lawrence R. Thomas, 73, of Chatham, with the following:

• Seven counts of predatory assault against a child, felonies
• Three counts of first-degree rape, felonies
• Four counts of first-degree criminal sex act, felonies
• 10 counts of first-degree sexual abuse, felonies
• Two counts of first-degree attempted rape, felonies
• Three counts of first-degree criminal solicitation, felonies
• Two counts of first-degree attempted criminal sexual act, felonies

He was arraigned in the Columbia County Court and sent to the Columbia County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail or $30,000 bond.

Thomas was arrested in August 2020 and charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, state police said.

At the time, authorities said they had received a tip of possible sexual abuse of a child under the age of 13.

After Thomas's 2020 arrest, police said the continued investigation revealed additional evidence of crimes committed.

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