YMCA Employee Arrested for Child Molestation

By Jaffa King

CREATED Jul. 26, 2012

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CATHEDRAL CITY  - Police arrested a part-time employee of the YMCA of the Desert Thursday on preliminary charges that he molested children.

According to a press release from the Cathedral City Police Department,  the case involved multiple juvenile victims.  

"After completing an initial investigation, the case was immediately given to Cathedral City Police Detectives who focused their investigation on a 35-year old Indio resident named Christopher Dean Thomas" said police.

Thomas was arrested for multiple counts of child molestation.  

He was booked at the Riverside Co. Jail/Banning and is being held on bail of $1 million dollars.

According to the release, Thomas was a part-time employee at the Family YMCA of the Desert for over one year.  

Thomas was employed at an off-site location in Cathedral City and volunteered at sites in Indio, Palm Springs, Coachella and in La Quinta. During that time, he gained access to juveniles in various YMCA programs in Cathedral City. The criminal acts being investigated all took place in Cathedral City. 

Police also noted that the YMCA has been transparent and completely cooperative with Cathedral City's investigation.  
 
According to Det. Sgt. Paul Herrera, "The YMCA is a well-respected, nationwide institution.  They conducted a fingerprint check and background investigation on Christopher Thomas.  Our arrestee did not have any criminal history that would have yielded evidence to support the YMCA prohibiting or excluding Christopher Thomas from becoming a volunteer- counselor or part-time employee."
 
Cathedral City Police Detectives believe there may be more unreported incidents/ unidentified victims of Thomas' activities.  
 
According to Herrera, "We are asking for the public's assistance in identifying any additional participants or victims. Our most important role as police officers is to protect juvenile victims."   
 
Cathedral City Police Detectives can be reached at 760-770-0302 or at their website - www.cathedralcity.gov