Douglas County teacher sentenced to 300 days in jail for sexual exploitation of a child

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The 23^rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office (DA) reports that a 57-year-old former psychology teacher at Douglas County High School has been sentenced to 300 days in jail after being found guilty of having sexual contact with a 17-year-old student.

According to the DA, James Christopher Thomure pleaded guilty to one count each of sexual exploitation of a child and child abuse. The charges came from an incident that occurred in a classroom back in May of 2024, says the DA.

The DA claims that Thomure had been proctoring an exam for three students, and after two students completed their exams, he was left alone with the victim. The victim reported that Thomure groped her and attempted to kiss her while telling her she was beautiful and how he would like to "do things to her."

According to the DA, Thomure asked the victim to meet him at a park over the summer for sexual activity and later drove the victim to her car.

The victim informed a trusted adult of the incident, who contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Detectives confirmed the student's account with classroom surveillance video, says the DA.

“The experience has stayed with me for years. I am proud that I chose to stand with myself, with others who have spoken out, who are afraid to speak out, or are unsure if they should,” said the victim in court.

In addition to Thomure's jail sentence, he has also been sentenced to eight years of intensive sex offender probation, according to the DA.

“This man violated the trust placed in him as an educator and caused lasting harm to a young victim,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Danielle Jaramillo. “Our office will continue to hold accountable those who exploit and prey on children.”

Below is the victim's entire statement, which was read in court:

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