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A former high school psychology teacher in Douglas County has been sentenced to 300 days in jail after pleading guilty to sexually exploiting a teenage student following an incident that occurred in a classroom after an exam.
James Thomure, 57, is the Douglas County High School Teacher Accused of Sexual Exploitation of a Student in Colorado who pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of child abuse. In addition to his jail sentence, the court sentenced Thomure to eight years of intensive sex offender probation. He is no longer employed by the high school.
According to investigators, the alleged incident occurred in May 2024 after Thomure proctored an exam for three students at Douglas County High School. After the other two students left the room, Thomure allegedly groped and attempted to kiss the remaining 17-year-old alleged victim, suggested meeting over the summer for sexual activity, and later drove her to her car. The alleged victim reported the incident to a trusted adult, who contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Surveillance footage from the classroom was obtained and corroborated the alleged victim's account.
In court, the alleged victim addressed the impact of the alleged conduct directly. "For years, I trusted and looked up to him," she said. "He allowed his students to know him, and over the years, I felt like he came to know me. That is part of what has made this so damaging."
The factual information above was sourced from kktv.com as of April 3, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a teacher is convicted of sexually exploiting a student, survivors and their families may have significant civil legal options beyond the criminal sentence. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Colorado sexual abuse attorney Dan Lipman about the civil legal avenues that may be available to survivors in cases involving alleged sexual misconduct by a teacher in a school setting.
Paul Amess: Dan, when a teacher is convicted of sexually exploiting a student in a school setting, what civil legal options may be available to the survivor and their family?
Dan Lipman: Cases involving the sexual exploitation of a student by a teacher can give rise to substantial civil claims. Survivors may have grounds to pursue civil action not only against the individual convicted but also against the school district. Schools have a duty to maintain safe environments and to properly supervise the staff they place in positions of authority over students. When a teacher exploits that position of trust to harm a student, the institution's oversight practices become relevant in any civil legal evaluation.
Paul Amess: In cases where surveillance footage corroborated the alleged victim's account, how does that type of evidence factor into civil claims?
Dan Lipman: Corroborating evidence of that nature can be significant in civil litigation. It helps establish what occurred and can support claims about the nature and circumstances of the alleged conduct. Civil cases often rely on many of the same underlying facts as criminal proceedings, and strong evidentiary support can be an important factor in building a civil claim.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a survivor in Colorado who experienced sexual misconduct by a teacher and is considering their civil legal options?
Dan Lipman: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Time limits apply to civil claims in Colorado, and the earlier a survivor acts, the stronger their position. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no survivor should have to face this process alone.
If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual exploitation or misconduct by a teacher or school employee in Colorado, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Colorado sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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