Former Florida sheriff's deputy gets 30 years for sex with teenager

PENSACOLA, Fla. — A former Escambia County Sheriff's Office deputy was sentenced to prison after his conviction on sex charges involving a teenage girl in the Florida Panhandle.

Circuit Judge John L. Miller on Monday sentenced Walter Thomas, 44, to 30 years in prison, followed by 15 years of sex offender probation.

Thomas was found guilty in August of three counts of unlawful sex with a minor.

He continues to maintain his innocence.

A local newspaper reported that his wife, parents and children were among those who told the judge that Thomas wasn't the kind of man to commit the crimes of which he was convicted of.

Miller said Thomas "violated" someone whom he was sworn to protect.

Prosecutors said Thomas and two others engaged in group sex with a 17-year-old girl in 2014.

The other two adults testified against Thomas.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Cox Media Group