Judge to hear evidence in lewdness case

MINDEN, Nev. - A preliminary hearing is set Friday for a former Topaz Ranch Estates woman accused of committing sex acts with her ex-husband and two young daughters.

Stacy Thoman, 32, faces six felony charges involving lewdness with a child under 14 and child abuse or neglect (sexual) of a child under the age of 14 causing substantial bodily or mental harm.

If convicted, she faces life in prison.

According to reports, the crimes allegedly occurred from October 2004 until February 2008, while Thoman and her ex-husband, Kevan, 35, lived on Granite Way in Topaz Ranch Estates, and continued after the family moved to Reno.

Kevan Thoman is in Washoe County Jail on similar charges. The girls, now 12 and 15, are in the custody of state Child Protective Services.

More than two dozen friends and family members showed up Wednesday for a bail hearing as Thoman's attorney, Cheryl Field-Lang of Reno, again asked EnEarl to release the suspect so she could continue counseling in Reno.

Thoman has been in Douglas County Jail on $100,000 cash bail since her arrest March 27.

Field-Lang produced dozens of letters written on her client's behalf.

"All her friends and family here are available as third party custodians," Field-Lang said. "Bail of $100,000 cash only is essentially no bail. She is a cocktail server at Harrah's Tahoe. We ask for a reasonable, bondable bail or to release her on her own recognizance."

Field-Lang acknowledged the seriousness of the charges, but added "there are always back stories, other renditions of what happened."

Prosecutor Erik Levin said the seriousness of the charges provided an impetus for Thoman to flee.

"She's not charged with allowing this to happen. She's been charged as an active participant in these events we believe occurred weekly in three jurisdictions. The allegations go beyond what you see in the complaint. You've got admissions by both parents. You will see photographic evidence," Levin said.

He asked EnEarl to decide on the bail after Friday's hearing.

"Where were these relationships the last seven years? Why didn't they step forward or put a stop to these allegations?" Levin asked.

EnEarl said he would hear the bail argument after the preliminary hearing.

"I don't know she did these things. The allegations are extremely serious and tragic," he said.

"If she's convicted of a class A felony, she faces mandatory life in prison," EnEarl said.

The preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. in Douglas District Court 1 because justice court is undergoing renovation.

According to reports, Stacy Thoman made allegations against her ex-husband last summer to Reno police. She claimed the abuse began in 2000 when her daughter was 6.

Investigators allege Stacy Thoman became a participant in the activities that eventually involved a younger daughter. The Thomans also have a son.

Stacy Thoman has not been charged in Washoe County, nor has Kevan Thoman been charged in Douglas County, according to reports.