DC officer sentenced to two years probation in 2019 sexual abuse case

A Washington, DC police officer was sentenced to two years probation on Friday for sexually abusing a client who was receiving his therapeutic services in northwest Washington, DC in 2019.

Pearce Then, of Adelphi, Maryland, pleaded guilty in June to attempted first-degree sexual abuse of a patient or client (during treatment), but was given credit for time already served in prison, prosecutors said.

The sentence includes six months in prison and three years probation, all of which were suspended.

Additionally, as part of his guilty plea and sentencing, Then will register as a sex offender in the county and will be required to comply with the court's intervention plan following his sentencing.

This plan requires Then to pay all fines, as well as $100 under the Victims of Violent Crime Act, and ordered court costs.

He was also required to find and maintain employment, refrain from substance abuse and undergo various psychiatric evaluations and treatment for substance abuse, sex offenses and “dysfunctional core beliefs and current perceptions that promote maladaptive behavior and emotions,” prosecutors said.

According to the plea agreement, the charge of attempted first-degree sexual abuse carried a maximum sentence of five years, a fine of up to $12,500, and probation of up to 10 years. In lieu of the maximum sentence, the government agreed to probation.

Then was accused of sexually abusing the client, who was in therapeutic treatment with him in the 3600 block of 16th Street in Northwest D.C. in June 2019. Police said Then was off-duty at the time of the abuse and he and the victim knew each other.

In February 2022, he initially pleaded not guilty to four counts – two counts of sexual abuse of a patient or client during treatment, one count of minor sexual abuse, and one count of second-degree improper sexual abuse.

“The Metropolitan Police Department does not tolerate criminal or unethical conduct by any employee. Officer Then's actions are a disgrace to anyone who wears a badge,” said then-DC Police Chief Peter Newsham.

The Washington, D.C., police placed Then, who was assigned to the Fourth Precinct, in a non-public relations position while the case and investigation were ongoing. At that time, Then's police powers were stripped.

A DC Police spokesperson told WTOP on Saturday that Then has been suspended indefinitely without pay. He has been with the department since 2012.

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