CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. – A search warrant of a Chesterfield babysitter’s apartment revealed he admitted to sexually assaulting a boy and possessing child pornography.
Police said 40-year-old Robin M. Thomas was babysitting the child when he inappropriately touched him on several occasions.
The victim disclosed to investigators during a January forensic interview that his babysitter, identified as the suspect, touched his genitals and buttocks, according to the warrant. The victim stated Thomas showed him nude images on his cell phone.
Detectives then interviewed Thomas on March 4.
“He was not in custody or detained and was repeatedly told that he was free to leave,” the detective wrote. “During that interview, Robin admitted to touching [the victim] on his genitals on numerous occasions over a period of a year or more.”
Investigators said Thomas “also admitted that he had downloaded child pornographic images” to his cell phone.
The warrant stated that the suspect admitted to viewing child pornography on his computer in the past.
On March 5, officers searched Thomas’ home on Hunt Master Drive and seized three phones, three tablets, two computers and a Nintendo Switch.
Thomas was charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery and three counts of taking indecent liberties with a child.
Police said additional charges are likely.
“The investigation continued after Thomas' arrest and, at this point, detectives believe Thomas may have additional victims,” a Chesterfield Police spokesperson said.
A Chesterfield School spokesperson confirmed Thomas held varying bus driver duties with the county since 2015.
His employment with the school system ended on March 13, days after he was arrested.
A school spokesperson referred additional questions to Chesterfield Police.
A bus driver who worked with Thomas said he was assigned to the school’s field trip department. He occasionally served as a substitute driver.
“As a bus driver we love our children and we never want anything bad to happen to them,” said the driver who did not want to be identified. “It gives us a bad name because this is not who we are.”
She said his co-workers gave him a helping hand when he first joined the school system.
“Then you got a lot of bus drivers that tried to help him out because they felt sorry for him,” she explained. “They donated clothes to him, let him come over and take showers at their house.”
Chesterfield Police do not believe that Thomas’ alleged crimes are related to his employment with the school system.
The crimes are believed to have occurred at his apartment and at an area motel, according to police.
Thomas is being held at Riverside Regional Jail.
Anyone with information or any reason to believe your child is a victim is asked to call Chesterfield Police at 804-748-1251.
