BELLEVILLE — An elderly Belleville couple were taken into custody on child sexual assault charges last week.
Earlier this month, the Green County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding incidents of Child Sexual Assault reported to have taken place within rural Green County in the Towns of Monroe and Exeter. Due to the nature of the alleged crimes, the Green County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division was assigned to conduct further investigation. The Green County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Green County Child Advocacy Center.
As the investigation continued, probable cause was developed to support the arrest of Thomas George Cole, 75, and Deborah Sue Cole, 74, both of rural Belleville. Thomas Cole was arrested without incident at his rural Green County dwelling on Thursday, August 13, while Deborah Cole was arrested without incident at her rural Green County dwelling on Friday, August 14. Following their respective arrests by Green County Deputies they were transported to the Green County Jail where they were held without bond pending their initial appearance in Green County Circuit Court.
On Tuesday, August 18, criminal charges were officially issued against Thomas Cole under Green County Court in which he was charged with two counts of Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (at least three violations of first degree sexual assault), Class B Felonies.
The same day Deborah Cole had criminal charges officially issued against her — one count of Fail to Act/Sexual Assault of a Child, a Class F Felony.
Both Coles appeared in Green County Circuit Court for an initial appearance that same day. Green County Circuit Court Judge Jane Bucher imposed a cash bond of $125,000 against Thomas Cole, which included additional bond conditions. Bucher imposed a $5,000 signature bond against Deborah Cole, which also included additional bond conditions. As of press time, Thomas Cole remained in custody at the Green County Sheriff’s Office, while Deborah Cole had been released.
The investigation remains active.x