In a shocking turn of events, D.C. police officer Pearce Then pleaded guilty late Thursday to attempted first-degree sexual abuse of a client at a health spa in Northwest Washington. The charges come after he was previously charged with sexually abusing another member of the force in 2019, an incident that the then-police chief called a “disgrace to the badge.”
The victim in this most recent case was also a D.C. police officer working out of the 4th district station. If convicted after a trial, Then could have faced up to five years in prison. However, federal prosecutors agreed to seek probation for him instead, with no prison time required. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for a period determined by a judge.
Then’s attorney, Brian McDaniel, described the incident as a misunderstanding and stated that his client was relieved to move past it. A D.C. police spokesperson confirmed that Then, who has been on the force since 2007, is currently on indefinite suspension while awaiting trial.
Judge Maribeth Raffinan is scheduled to sentence Then on August 30th.
