A 46-year-old Pocatello man is facing serious felony charges after allegedly exposing himself to a group of teenagers at Alameda Park on Saturday evening, June 7, and soliciting them for sex even after learning they were minors.
Pocatello Police Department officers were called to the park at approximately 6 p.m. following the incident. The teenagers involved were all approximately 15 years old. According to authorities, the group had approached the man — later identified as Brandon Dee Thomas — believing he may have been homeless and intending to offer him assistance.
Alleged Conduct and Arrest
Thomas allegedly responded to the teenagers’ offer of help by asking them for sex. When the group told him they were minors, Thomas reportedly moved toward a nearby tree line and made the same request again. The teenagers captured video of the incident, which authorities say shows Thomas exposing his genitals.
Officers arrested Thomas and he was booked into the Bannock County Jail. He now faces three felony counts of sexual abuse of a child under age 16. If convicted on all counts, Thomas could face a maximum sentence of 75 years in prison.
Public safety incidents involving Bannock County’s parks and neighborhoods have drawn increasing attention from local law enforcement in recent months. Earlier this year, a SWAT team executed a high-risk search warrant in Pocatello that resulted in seven arrests.
Court Proceedings Ahead
As of the time of this report, Thomas had not yet been assigned a defense attorney. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on June 16, with Magistrate Judge David Penrod presiding over the case.
Charges filed in a criminal complaint represent allegations only. Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
What Comes Next
The preliminary hearing before Judge Penrod on June 16 will be a key early step in determining how the case moves forward. At that proceeding, the court will evaluate whether there is sufficient cause to advance the charges. With no defense attorney yet assigned, appointment of counsel will likely occur before or at that hearing. Given the severity of the charges and the maximum penalty of 75 years, the case is expected to draw significant local attention as it proceeds through Bannock County’s court system.