A 28-year-old Downingtown man already listed on Pennsylvania's sex offender registry is accused of sexually assaulting at least three teenagers and giving them drugs in exchange for sex, according to investigators. Elijah Thomas was arrested on October 8 and remains locked up at Chester County Prison, charged with trafficking minors, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with minors, and possession with intent to deliver controlled substances.
The case began when West Whiteland police received a report that a man was giving marijuana to minors in exchange for sex and money, according to NBC10 Philadelphia. That tip opened the door to an investigation that would eventually tie Thomas to three separate teenage victims across two criminal complaints.
Investigators interviewed a 14-year-old boy who said he had been communicating with Thomas after the two met on Snapchat, per the station's report. Police said Thomas met another 14-year-old victim through Snapchat as well and sexually assaulted both teens. Both victims told investigators that Thomas gave them THC and vape cartridges in exchange for sex and indecent images.
A Third Victim Comes Forward
Chester County detectives also received a report from Downingtown Borough police involving a 17-year-old girl who said Thomas sexually assaulted her. According to investigators, the teen said she began communicating with Thomas when she was 15 years old and that he pressured her to engage in sexual acts. She told investigators Thomas gave her THC and vape cartridges in exchange for sex, the same account notes.
Officials said Thomas is a registered sex offender with prior convictions for stalking and sexual contact with a minor. Daily Voice reports that Thomas is classified as a Tier II registered sex offender under that prior record. The outlet also reports that Thomas remains held at Chester County Prison on a combined $700,000 bail spanning the two criminal complaints involving the three children.
What Pennsylvania Law Says About Drugs and Minors
Under Pennsylvania law, a person over 18 convicted of violating sections 13(a)(14) or (30) of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act faces a minimum sentence of at least one year of total confinement for delivering or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance to a minor, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The statute allows for an additional minimum of at least two years if aggravating conditions apply, such as intent to promote habitual use or involve the minor in drug trafficking. Those enhanced provisions are tied to the stated aggravating conditions. The law defines a minor, for these purposes, as anyone under 18.
Thomas's preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 13. He remains in custody at Chester County Prison on the $700,000 bail as the case moves forward.
