District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced a former cocktail waitress to 20 years in Nevada State Prison for aiding her ex-husband in the sexual abuse and exploitation of their two young daughters.
He ordered Stacy Thoman, 33, to serve 20 years for attempted lewdness and six years for child abuse, the sentences to be served concurrently.
"The punishment for engaging in such horrendous behavior doesn't entitle anyone to seriously ask for probation," Gibbons said at the conclusion of a four-hour sentencing hearing Wednesday.
"The children are the most important people in this case," he said.
Gibbons said Thoman could be eligible for parole in five years. He gave her the maximum sentences for the offenses.
Her ex-husband, Kevan Thoman, 36, was sentenced in Washoe County in April to life in prison plus 20 years for his part in the abuse which officials say lasted for eight years.
According to reports, the crimes in Douglas County allegedly occurred from October 2004 until February 2008, while Thoman and her ex-husband lived on Granite Way in Topaz Ranch Estates, and continued after the family moved to Reno.
Stacy Thoman will be under lifetime supervision of the Department of Parole and Probation and must register as a sex offender.
She originally was charged with six felonies and faced life in prison.
According to reports, the abuse began with the oldest child in 2000 when she was 6. A second daughter was involved a few years later.
The Thomans also have a son who was not abused, according to reports.
The victims are now 12 and 15, and living with relatives.
The children's grandmother testified Wednesday the children want no contact with their mother. She said they had improved greatly over the past few months.
"Socially, they are making friends and doing excellently in school," she said. "Before, they were just terrified. They have expressed to me at this time they aren't willing to write to their mother."
Thoman's attorney, Cheryl Field-Lang of Reno, portrayed her client as a child sexual assault victim herself who grew up without help dealing with her own issues.
"Sexual behavior was accepted without consequence. She was taught to keep her mouth shut, and that formed the basis of how she responded as an adult," Field-Lang said.
That behavior made her vulnerable to a sexual predator like her former husband who groomed her to abuse and exploit their children, Field-Lang said.
The Thomans divorced, and Stacy Thoman reported the abuse to the Reno Police Department in June 2008.
"Children do not initiate or act sexually. Kevan Thoman tried to convince me that they do. I was wrong," Stacy Thoman told Gibbons. "My children suffered greatly because of me. I should have come forward sooner. I should have not participated. I take responsibility for the damage I did to my children and I will regret it for the rest of my life."
Thoman asked for probation.
"I am a good person. I know I am," she said.
In arguing for the maximum sentence, Deputy District Attorney Tom Gregory said in 15 years practicing law, the case was "the sickest, most perverse case I've been involved in."
"I'm not going to defend Kevan Thoman. He got what he deserved," Gregory said. "Stacy Thoman knew in 2000 what was going on, and she allowed it to happen. There was no evidence she was coerced, no evidence he threatened her with a gun.
"I don't think anybody in this courtroom likes to think mothers do this kind of behavior. This mother did.
"What she did equates to child abuse and sex offenses," Gregory said. "She deserves prison and I ask you (Gibbons) to send her there today."
Field-Lang, who was crying as she argued on behalf of Thoman, said if her client hadn't gone to the police, the abuse would have continued. She said Thoman won't get the help she needs in prison.
"Having to come forward, losing her children, knowing her children have to suffer this publicly, has been punishment for Ms. Thoman," she said. "No one can beat this young woman up more than she has herself. She knows what she did was wrong."
Stacy Thoman was granted credit for 104 days in Douglas County Jail where she was held on $100,000 bail.
