REHAB WORKER IN KID-SEX RAP

Jeffrey Anthony Thornton, a 35 year old employee at the state's Special Commitment Center for sex predators, has been charged with having a sexually explicit video of an 11 year old girl.  He is also under investigation in New Jersey, where the filming allegedly took place, on suspicion of sexually assaulting the girl.  He pleaded not guilty to one charge of possession of depiction's of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and is being held in Pierce County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.  Thornton has worked at the center on McNeil Island as a residential rehabilitation counselor since August 2001.

(Tacoma, Washington)