Grand Forks County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Grand Forks man is facing a Class AA felony charge of gross sexual imposition, according to court records.
Thomas Joe Bommer, 50, is accused in a case involving a child. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole.
According to a probable cause summary, the case began in January. That is when a girl told law enforcement she had been sexually abused several times. The report says the abuse happened during the fall of 2024. The girl was 10 years old at the time.
Investigators later completed a forensic interview with the child. During that interview, she again described the abuse, the court filing said.
What Court Records Allege
The filing says Bommer was later interviewed by investigators. During that interview, he allegedly admitted one incident he could recall.
According to the court summary, Bommer said he touched the child sexually. The filing says he described contact both over and under her clothing.
Bommer also allegedly said he had been drinking that day. The court summary says the incident happened sometime during the fall of 2024. He would have been 49 years old then.
Next Court Date
Bommer made his initial court appearance on Wednesday, March 25. His next hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on May 4.
That hearing is expected to be a preliminary hearing and/or an arraignment. A preliminary hearing allows a judge to decide if probable cause exists.
At that stage, prosecutors must present testimony through one or more witnesses. The defense then has the chance to question those witnesses.
Preliminary hearings are often waived. Still, a defendant has the right to ask for one. If a judge finds probable cause, the case moves forward. The defendant must then enter a plea. If probable cause is not found, the case can be dismissed.
Bommer has been charged, but not convicted. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Related Resources
Readers can review North Dakota court information through the North Dakota Courts public access system. Court location details are also listed on the Grand Forks County court page.
State law on the charge can be found in the North Dakota Century Code chapter on sexual offenses. Penalties for felony classes are listed in the state sentencing chapter.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
