Former Hanna Boys Center Caseworker Sentenced in Child Sex Assault Case

Kevin Scott Thorpe, 40 years old of Rohnert Park, was sentenced today by the Honorable Dana Simonds to twenty-one years in the state prison. This sentence followed Thorpe previously pleading no-contest to eleven sex offenses he committed against four separate teenage victims.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “The prison term is appropriate for the nature of criminal offenses committed.  The defendant used his position of authority to prey upon vulnerable kids. We hope the conclusion of the criminal case will assist the victims in moving forward with their lives.”

This case stems from an investigation that was prompted when a former student at the Hanna Boys Center came forward and disclosed sexual abuse committed by Thorpe, the student’s assigned caseworker at the school. The Sheriff’s Department conducted an investigation that corroborated the former student’s account, and led to the discovery of additional victims as well. After Thorpe was charged, three adult men and one juvenile victim testified at a preliminary hearing in May 2018. During the hearing, the three men described being victimized by Thorpe during their teens while Thorpe was their caseworker at the Hanna Boys Center. The fourth victim was called as a witness, but had difficulty discussing his interactions with Thorpe. The lead detective in the case later testified at the hearing about what that victim had previously reported. Following the three day hearing, Thorpe was held to answer to numerous sex offenses committed against each of the victims while they were children.

Thorpe ultimately pled no-contest and was found guilty of five counts of unlawful oral copulation accomplished by duress, five counts of unlawful oral copulation with a minor, and one count or annoying or molesting a child. Five of those convictions are “strikes” under California’s three strikes law. Per the terms of the plea agreement, Thorpe was sentenced to 21 years in state prison. Thorpe will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to Penal Code section 290 upon his release.

This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Andrew Lukas. Sergeant Greg Piccinini of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department headed the investigation.