Orange County Doctor Arrested on Suspicion of Possessing Child Pornography – Dr. Pete Thomas, accused of possessing thousands of pornographic images involving children, turned himself in to a judge Tuesday (Sam Spital)

COMMENTARY BY SAM SPITAL, California Professional License Attorney and San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer:

“A Podiatrist surrendered himself after an arrest warrant was issued for felony possession of child pornography per an account by the NBC Channel 7 online news edition on December 12, 2012. Little if anything else was reported in the article, and most importantly there was no explanation, mitigation and/or defense noted.

A Doctor of Podiatry is trained in foot care and, therefore, can diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions related to the foot, ankle, and lower extremities.

A check of the Board of Podiatric Medicine website indicates Dr. Pete Thomas has been licensed in California since July 1, 1990. It is likely the Board will open an investigation if it does not already have one in place. Upon evaluating the evidence if it can be established there exists a sufficient basis for disciplinary action, the matter will be submitted to the Office of Attorney General to file an Accusation seeking to suspend or revoke his license to practice podiatry. An administrative hearing would then be scheduled in which an Administrative Law Judge would hear the evidence, including written and oral testimony. The Deputy Attorney General must prove the case by clear and convincing evidence, which burden of proof is much less than a criminal case that requires evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, but much greater than in a civil case in which one need only present a preponderance of evidence to prevail.”