Ezekiel Jedidiah Thomas, 22 of Newburg
UPDATE 5/5/2022: State’s Attorney Richard Fritz announces that on May 4, 2022, Ezekiel Jedidiah Thomas (DOB August 29, 1997) pled guilty to false imprisonment and felony assault on a staff member of Medstar Saint Mary’s Hospital that occurred on September 30, 2019.
In his plea, Thomas admitted that he attacked a hospital staff member while attempting to commit a sexual offense, but was thwarted when other hospital employees came to her aid. Thomas remains in custody and is awaiting the completion of a pre-sentence investigation.
Mr. Fritz would like to thank Deputy State’s Attorney Daniel White for the successful prosecution of this case. Mr. Fritz would also like to thank the Saint Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Detective Corporal Trevor Teague for their investigative efforts leading to these convictions.
10/3/2019: On Monday, September 30, 2019, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division responded to the MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital on Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, for the reported sex offense.
The investigation determined Ezekiel Jedidiah Thomas, 22 of Newburg, assaulted a 19-year-old female employee, in a supply closet.
The victim advised she was working in the emergency room conducting her normal duties and had to enter a small utility closet for supplies.
When she entered the closet, the door closed and locked behind her, as she was gathering the supplies she needed and preparing to leave the closet, she heard someone jiggling the handle from the other side, and when she opened the door Thomas entered the closet and shut the door behind the two of them. The victim said when they were locked in the closet together, he held his hand on the doorknob and prevented her from leaving. Thomas then pulled down his pants and underwear down to his ankles and exposed his erect penis. Thomas then tried to force the victim to her knees. The victim refused and placed her hand on top of Thomas’s hand that was on the doorknob in efforts to open the door and getaway. When Thomas continued to hold the door shut the victim began digging her fingernails into his hand in hopes of escaping, at this time the victim stated she heard someone on the other side of the door and continued to try to force the door open. The door opened and another employee separated Thomas from the victim.
Police made contact with the employee who opened the closet door, she told them that she is a nurse technician at the hospital and was currently assigned as a “sitter” for the hallway near Thomas’s room. She confirmed Thomas is a patient of the hospital and he was in room 11. She told police that prior to the incident Thomas began was making obscene gestures to her and asked for baby wipes so he could masturbate. The witness said she saw Thomas walk out of his room and she watched him walk into the closet where the assault occurred. She stated once she saw the door close, she signaled an alarm for assistance and walked over to the closet door. She stated the closet door was locked and she attempted to open it.
When the door opened, she observed Thomas standing directly behind the victim, both the victim and the defendant were facing her, and Thomas had the victim in a headlock. The witness also confirmed Thomas’s pants were at his ankles and his erect penis was exposed. The witness was unaware that the victim was also in the closet until the door was opened. The witness said she ordered Thomas to release the victim and he complied, he then pulled up his pants and walked back to his room.
The victim said she did not recall being placed in a headlock as described by the witness, and stated she believed she may have blacked out or passed out and does not recall his arm around her throat.
Thomas confessed to police that he entered the closet and attempted to have the victim perform a sex act, he said he knew it was wrong and he felt sorry for his actions.
The hospital video surveillance was also reviewed and corroborated the victim and witness statements.
Thomas was arrested and charged with the following crimes:
- Second Degree Rape (Attempted)
- Assault Second Degree
- Sex Offense Third Degree
- False Imprisonment
At the time of the arrest, it was discovered Thomas had an open warrant from Salisbury, Maryland for the following crimes:
- Assault Second Degree
- False Imprisonment
- School: Molest ETC-Other Location
- School: Disturb Operation
Thomas was transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center and served his outstanding warrant. Thomas is currently incarcerated at the detention center on a no bond status.
Ezekiel Jedidiah Thomas, 22 of Newburg
