Former Deputy Gets 30 Years For Child Sex Abuse

December 15, 2010

A former Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s deputy was sentenced to 30 years in prison on child sex abuse charges.

tomilson10.jpgJohn Mitchell Tomlinson, 46, was sentenced to 30 years state prison on each of three counts of sexual battery by a person in familial or custodial authority. All three sentences were to run concurrent. He also was designated a sexual predator for life.

Charges stem from allegations of abuse from his adopted daughter who lived with the defendant for several years, according to State Attorney Bill Eddins.

Tomlinson was a 23-year veteran with the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office; he was assigned to the Santa Rosa County Courthouse at the time of his arrest. The defendant still faces additional charges of capital sexual battery in another case stemming from allegations made by a child who was a neighbor to the defendant in the late 1990’s.

Comments

16 Responses to “Former Deputy Gets 30 Years For Child Sex Abuse”

  1. Thomas on March 20th, 2021 4:47 pm

    I worked with this guy while in high school as a bagboy at local super market. He was a creep then. He tried knocking me out of the way to bag this cute girl and her mothers groceries. I had to knock him back. He kept saying that was his girlfriend. she never acknowledged him and they never spoke. He was a creep then and I never spoke to him or had anymore to do with him.

  2. Dayna Panitzke on March 29th, 2019 2:40 pm

    I babysat for him and his ex wife in the early 90’s. I was a troubled teen…ran away, snuck out, all that stuff. He always kept me in line and tried to help me in any way possible. Even after I turned 18 and got arrested…he was the investigator of my case. It broke his heart to see me in the situation I was in. He never…never was inappropriate in ANY way with me.

  3. Ever think.... on December 19th, 2010 5:21 pm

    While I am not saying he is or isn’t guilty…and maybe someone knows what he testified too..but living with someone on a day to day basis who can lie, cheat, you name it and make it look like their innocent and your horrible…you never know what happened unless you were there no matter what the jury found..Juries have been wrong as they are only human…

  4. David Huie Green on December 18th, 2010 12:51 pm

    REGARDING:
    “Hold on folks, I think allowing people to write comments about charges is wrong. These people are charged with wrong doing not convicted.”

    There is much wrong in the world. Part of the method of fixing it is to point it out. You have done so by saying what you think is a wrong thing to do. I disagree with the idea that people’s right to speak shold be curtailed, but that’s just me.

    Others are free to agree or disagree, however if we return to the basic premise that no comments should be allowed since the person is only charged, not convicted, we have to consider the report which states: “- – was sentenced to 30 years in prison on child sex abuse charges.”

    He wasn’t sentenced based on charges, but based on conviction of guilt regarding those charges.

    He may be factually guilty or innocent, but he is legally guilty.

    David for clarity anf first amendment rights

  5. JUDY MASEK on December 18th, 2010 12:09 pm

    i really hate it, that this fellow apparently has a child that has to read comments about her dad….it hurts my heart…a judge/jury has found him guilty…my hope is that justice was serverd properly and that all parties can come to terms and begin to find some peace in their lives.

  6. Wally on December 18th, 2010 7:21 am

    Hold on folks, I think allowing people to write comments about charges is wrong. These people are charged with wrong doing not convicted. People should not make assumptions. Let’s all keep in mind this is America and pray that the justice remains blind until proved in a court of law. That is why we have jury selections. So that a group of responsible citizens can decide if a person is quilty of commiting a crime or not. Want a better community, get out and get involved in yours to make it a better place to live.

  7. Oh OK on December 17th, 2010 1:57 pm

    He has another acusser who is an old neighbor are they BOTH LIERS?

    Molino Jim he has already been found guilty.

  8. molino jim on December 17th, 2010 9:09 am

    What if he didn’t do it? Sort of like another case where everyone has already found Ms .Rice guilty. If it is true and it was me, I would not still be alive. Being a CO in prison would not be good.

  9. Horrific! on December 16th, 2010 8:25 am

    Terri….sounds like you have been there…..like so many of us.

    Thank god this guys days are done!

  10. s Tomlinson on December 16th, 2010 12:34 am

    ok first off none of u know my father. My sister is a liar!!!!! He has been framed!

  11. David Huie Green on December 15th, 2010 9:16 pm

    REGARDING:
    “I feel he should be tortured for the rest of his life.”

    Yet our supreme law forbids cruel and unusual punishment, so it will not happen.

    Further, to torture someone, you need a torturer. One already so inclined is mentally ill, one having to do so without the inclination will be mentally damaged by the process.

    David thinking about bad jobs

  12. christy on December 15th, 2010 7:55 pm

    I feel he should be tortured for the rest of his life. There is no punishment harsh enough compared to what the victim has to go through for the rest of their lives.. It’s always in the back of your mind..It’s fear, helplessness and total hell…Flashbacks.. I hope he gets what he desreves in prison…

  13. ok on December 15th, 2010 2:33 pm

    i agree…penalty should be death. some of you would think this too harsh, but this act of violence can totally ruin a person’s life! what a sick person he is. makes me sick looking at this man knowing what he’s done.

  14. barry on December 15th, 2010 12:53 pm

    This world is full of these monsters. Im glad he;s caught . We need to increase the penalties for all sexual predators now.

  15. terri sanders on December 15th, 2010 8:20 am

    It takes so long for the truth to surface becasue it takes so long for the victims to realize that until their perpetrator is named and his actions brought to light,that they will very seldom be able to get on with their lives.They live with a sense of guilt and shame and the older they get the harder it becomes to keep those justified feelings of anger inside.That is why there is no statute of limitations on sexual acts.This event has started both of these women on the path to recovery.I am proud of both of them for having the courage to finally speak out.It is never too late! I hope their courage will motivate other women of abuse to step forward and begin their freedom.

  16. Oldman on December 15th, 2010 6:28 am

    Why does it take so long for the truth to surface……….welcome to our cell Mr. Tomlinson.