Bend businessman arrested in online luring, sex abuse case

(Update: Adding business owned by Thoma that was searched)

A 50-year-old Bend businessman was arrested Saturday at Sawyer Park, accused of connecting with a child on the internet late last week and later committing several sex crimes with the youth at the juvenile’s Bend home, police said Sunday.

Bend police began their investigation into reported sex abuse in the city, Sgt. Robert Jones said in a news release. Officers learned a child under 16 had connected with a Bend man on the internet, later identified as Greg Michael Thoma, Jones said.

Jones said officers determined Thoma met with the juvenile at the juvenile’s home and committed several sex crimes, then continued to communicate with the child after the incident, the sergeant said.

Officers contacted and arrested Thoma on Saturday at Sawyer Park on O.B. Riley Road, Jones said. They also sought and received three search warrants and searched Thoma’s car, home and the business he owns, Bits and Pieces Custom Framing on NE Highway 20, Jones added.

Jones said the incidents occurred over the three-day period mentioned and Thomas was taken into custody about 5:45 p.m. on Saturday. No further details were released due to the continuing investigation.

Thoma was booked into the Deschutes County Jail early Sunday morning on charges of third-degree rape, three counts of third-degree sodomy, second- and third-degree sex abuse, first-degree online sexual corruption of a child and luring minor for sexual conduct.

A jail officer said Thoma was released Sunday afternoon after posting 10 percent of his $80,000 bail.

State business records online also list Thoma as president of Stage Right Productions, a non-profit that operates the 2nd Street Theater.