Thomas enters plea in rape case

Fort Scott, Kan. -- Edward E. Thomas entered a plea in which he maintains innocence on allegations he raped a 15-year-old girl over a two-year period.

Thomas entered an Alford plea to one count of indecent liberties with a child and another count of fleeing to elude law enforcement.

In an Alford plea, Thomas claims innocence to the charges but admits adequate evidence exists with which the county attorney could likely convince a jury to find him guilty.

Thomas, 43, could be facing more than 12 years in prison on both charges.

The Kansas sentencing guidelines determine a sentencing range, which is partly based on Thomas' criminal history.

A pre-sentence investigation will determine that criteria. Thomas' attorney will ask the judge that the charges run concurrently and the county attorney will argue for consecutive sentences, according to court records.

The county attorney in October 2005 filed three counts of rape and one count of indecent liberties with the girl, who is now 17 years old. The remaining charges were dismissed.

At the preliminary hearing, the girl testified that the abuse first started as verbal and later became physical. Thomas allegedly groped and fondled her ,then raped her on numerous occasions in 2004 and 2005 at a house in rural Fort Scott.

Thomas pleaded not guilty at his arraignment following the hearing and both sides went through pre-trial motions, expecting the case would go to jury trial.

There was DNA evidence in the case but it was never presented at the preliminary hearing.

The fleeing to elude charge stemmed from a high-speed chase Thomas engaged in with a Bourbon County deputy sheriff on Oct. 2. The deputy sheriff attempted to serve Thomas an arrest warrant on the rape charges, and Thomas fled from the officer and a chase ensued that reached speeds of 80 to 90 mph through country roads. Thomas eluded the officer but was eventually arrested -- several weeks later.

Thomas is being held at Southeast Kansas Regional Correctional Center.