A man is no longer a Burns Harbor firefighter as he faces a felony sexual battery charge that accuses him of groping another male firefighter, court records show.
Zachary Andrew Charles Thomas, 25, of Lafayette, was charged last week with sexual battery, a Level 6 felony, and a misdemeanor battery charge.
Thomas, who was placed on leave during the investigation, is no longer with the Burns Harbor Volunteer Fire Corporation, police said.
Burns Harbor Police were asked by Fire Chief Ryan Nowacki on Sept. 28 to investigate a complaint filed by several firefighters against Thomas.
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One male victim stated that Thomas had done “multiple things” to make him as well as others at the fire department feel “uncomfortable,” according to a probable cause statement filed in Porter Superior Court.
Thomas is accused of exposing himself while trying to convince the firefighter to shower with him on July 30, the statement said.
On a few occasions, a clothed Thomas would come up from behind another male firefighter and thrust in a sexual manner, the statement said. One such incident involving the victim was captured by a video camera inside the fire station on Sept. 13
During a training session near Haglund Road and Ind. 149 on Sept. 10, Thomas is accused of groping the man in the chest area.
Nowacki, along with his assistant chief and captain, met with Thomas for an interview concerning the allegations.
When asked if he exposed himself and asked a fellow firefighter to shower with him, Thomas replied that he couldn’t recall but stated he “crossed the line” and was unsure why he did.
As for the Sept. 10 incident, Thomas admitted that he did grab the firefighter by the chest but stopped.
The victim and another firefighter who witnessed the incidents told police during their interviews that the actions of Thomas were “unwanted,” the statement said.
Tim Lucas, the assistant Burns Harbor Police Chief, called Thomas, requesting an interview. Thomas’ mother told Lucas that they had retained an attorney and wouldn’t consent to an interview.
The mother of Thomas also explained that her son has autism and had witnessed occasions where firefighters would come up from behind and “hump” each other. Her son “may not know any better when engaged in this type of behavior because he is just trying to fit in,” the court record states.
Lucas contacted Nowacki, who explained that some of the firemen may have danced and engaged in “horseplay” at the Christmas party but assured “none of the touching was unwanted by any of the parties involved,” the court record said.
A hearing has been set for 8:30 Wednesday in Porter Superior Court 1. Thomas is free after posting a $2,000 bond.
Jim Woods is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.