Juvenile Hall Counselor Indicted by Federal Grand Jury on Child Pornography Charges

A federal grand jury in Oakland Thursday indicted a Contra Costa County Juvenile Hall counselor on charges of producing, possessing and transporting child pornography.

Thomas Jewell, a 53-year-old Pleasant Hill resident, also faces 49 felony charges in Contra Costa County. They include 46 counts of child molestation and one count of showing pornographic material to a child.

U.S. Attorney's Office spokesman Jack Gillund said the federal indictment does not supersede the charges in Contra Costa County.

On Friday, Contra Costa prosecutors announced they have identified a second victim in this case. They didn't give the age or hometown of the victim. They did say he had a counseling relationship with Jewell.

Earlier this week, Pleasant Hill set up a tipline to gather more information about Jewell. From forensic analysis conducted by Walnut Creek police of computer devices found in Jewell's home, police say they expect to identify more victims.

In addition to working with youths at Juvenile Hall, Jewell also worked on his own with at-risk youths throughout Contra Costa County and neighboring counties.

He was arraigned Monday on 49 felony charges, but he did not enter a plea because more charges are expected.

Pleasant Hill police have so far identified one victim, a boy between the age of 12 and 15, but declined to say where he is from.

So far, no victims appear to be from Walnut Creek,  said Walnut Creek Police Capt. Timothy Schultz earlier this week. Pleasant Hill Police Lt. Dan Conley said Walnut Creek police assisted in the investigation because Walnut Creek Detective Rick Baca has expertise in computer analysis. 

Jewell is being held in county jail on $5.8 million bail and is scheduled to return to court Jan. 6 to enter a plea.

According to Pleasant Hill police, the case began as an undercover investigation by Martinez police, who had identified Jewell as someone who they believe had received and distributed child pornography.

On Nov. 18, police officers from Martinez, Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek served a search warrant at Jewell's home and seized several digital storage devices, police said.

Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski said the devices contained more than 13,000 images and videos depicting child pornography.

According to his Facebook page, Jewell is the founder of Yes Enterprises, his own Martinez-based consulting firm that offers individualized anger management courses, workshops, trainings, life coaching and mentoring to troubled teens and juvenile offenders.

His firm, with the motto "Integrating Careful Awareness," also offers workshops for teens, parents, teachers and counseling professionals in communication skills, self-esteem building, parenting, stress reduction and emotional intelligence. 

Investigators are urging anyone who may have been victimized by Jewell or who accepted any gifts or money from him to call them.

Anyone who has traveled with him, been invited to his home or witnessed any suspicious behavior is also urged to call the tip line at 925-676-1273.

--Bay City News with additional reporting by Martha Ross