A former Eureka Excessive Faculty ladies’ wrestling coach was arrested Monday on suspicion of 60 counts of statutory rape, in response to jail experiences.
As of Wednesday morning, Thomas Harlan Gowing was being held within the Humboldt County jail, in response to Humboldt County Sheriff’s Workplace spokesman Samantha Karges.
“His bail is ready at $1.5 million till he's arraigned,” Karges instructed the Instances-Customary. “At the moment, the choose can select to cut back his bail quantity.”
Sometimes, arraignments must be held inside 72 hours of the reserving.
The Eureka Police Division notified the Arcata Police Division of an investigation involving Gowing, a information launch posted Wednesday afternoon on the APD’s Fb web page said. The allegations stemmed from a report from a feminine former Eureka Excessive pupil who has since graduated and is now an grownup.
“It was actually via that investigation that they decided the alleged incidents occurred in Arcata,” Lt. Todd Dockweiler instructed the Instances-Customary.
The a number of counts in opposition to Gowing relate to a number of alleged incidents of “illegal sexual activity with a minor,” the APD’s Fb publish states.
Dockweiler stated that there is no such thing as a previous historical past of statutory rape referring to Gowing outdoors of Humboldt County.
Karges famous that there was no earlier reserving historical past related to Gowing. A search of the court docket information confirmed there have been no previous prices filed regionally in opposition to Gowing.
A information launch shared by Eureka Metropolis Faculties stated that Gowing was a coach and volunteer for wrestling at Eureka Excessive.
“Gowing has not labored in a paid or volunteer capability in ECS since June 2022,” the discharge said.
The varsity district famous within the launch that the security of scholars was a high precedence.
“The protection and wellbeing of our college students is paramount,” Eureka Excessive principal Rob Standish stated in a ready assertion. “Any EHS pupil who could also be instantly or not directly impacted by this incident is inspired to contact the EHS Counseling Workplace at 707-441-0262 for assist.”
Additional, the district stated “inappropriate relationships between minors and adults is not going to be tolerated. ECS helps the efforts of legislation enforcement to prosecute this particular person to the fullest extent of the legislation.”
The Eureka Metropolis Faculties didn't reply to questions on how the district screens candidates who work instantly with youth and the way lengthy Gowing had direct contact with college students within the district.
The next is a press launch from the Arcata Police Division:
On January 26, 2023, the Eureka Police Division (EPD) notified the Arcata Police Division (APD) that they had initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual assault, involving a former Eureka Excessive Faculty (EHS) assistant wrestling coach, and a feminine pupil who has since graduated and is now an grownup. As a result of the felony allegations occurred within the Metropolis of Arcata, APD took the lead on the investigation and continued to work collaboratively with EPD.
On January 30, 2023, APD arrested 34-year-old Thomas Harlan Gowing with out incident. Gowing was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for a number of violations of Penal Code Part 261.5(C)-Illegal Sexual Intercourse with a Minor.
Gowing has had no affiliation with EHS since June 2022.
The Arcata Police Division encourages anybody with info on this case, or any related allegations in opposition to Gowing, to contact the Arcata Police Division’s Investigations Unit, at 707-822-2424.
APD wish to remind neighborhood members which have skilled, or are at present experiencing sexual abuse, there are advocacy companies and sources obtainable to help (24/7) via our native and nationwide companions, such because the North Coast Rape Disaster Workforce (707-445-2881), and the Nationwide Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673).
APD thanks the Eureka Police Division, Eureka Excessive Faculty, and the North Coast Rape Disaster Workforce for his or her help on this matter.
The next is a press launch from the Eureka Metropolis Faculties:
Eureka Metropolis Faculties (ECS) is conscious of the arrest of Thomas Harlan Gowing. Gowing was a former coach and volunteer for wrestling at Eureka Excessive Faculty (EHS). Gowing has not labored in a paid or volunteer capability in ECS since June 2022.
ECS helps the investigation with the Arcata Police Division, as pupil security is the District’s high precedence.
“The protection and wellbeing of our college students is paramount,” stated Rob Standish, EHS Principal. “Any EHS pupil who could also be instantly or not directly impacted by this incident is inspired to contact the EHS Counseling Workplace at 707-441-0262 for assist.”
Inappropriate relationships between minors and adults is not going to be tolerated. ECS helps the efforts of legislation enforcement to prosecute this particular person to the fullest extent of the legislation.
Anybody with details about this case or associated felony exercise is inspired to name the Arcata Police Division at 707-822-2428. All additional inquiries needs to be directed to the Arcata Police Division.