TYLER THOMAS - 19 yo (2010)/ POI: Joshua Keadle - Peru NE

The mission to find a missing Nebraska college student intensified as the FBI joined the search for the 19-year-old student who was last seen Friday leaving an off-campus party.



Law enforcement continues to search for Peru State freshman Tyler Thomas who was last seen around 1:30 a.m. Friday leaving the campus-dubbed "baseball house" less than a mile from her dormitory. Peru State President Dan Hanson says the FBI joined the case after the Nebraska Highway Patrol registered Thomas' disappearance with the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children. Campus security cameras caught the teen crossing campus and then again one block from her destination; however, it does not appear she ever made it to her dormitory which should have been visible from where she stood. One of Thomas' friends says she received an odd text message from Thomas right around the time she disappeared claiming she did not know where she was.  Shortly after receiving the text message, her friends scoured the campus, but to no avail. They reported her missing at 3 a.m. Although Nemaha County Sheriff Brent Lottman would not confirm or deny the cell phone activity, he said authorities have followed up on all cell phone records. "We have tried everything available. We're trying everything available to find her, we're not...we're not cutting corners," Lottman said. Foul play has not been ruled out as a factor in Thomas' disappearance. Thomas' parents cliam their daughter had no reason to take off, nor would she go this long without contacting her family. They are pleading with the public to help bring Tyler home. Tyler Thomas, a Bellevue resident, is approximately 5-feet-5-inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a teal shirt with green sweat pants, a scarf and ear muffs. Anyone with information pertaining to Tyler Thomas' whereabouts is asked to call the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office a 402-274-3139.

Arrest in Connection with Disappearance of Bellevue Teen


AUBURN, Neb (KPTM)- The Nemeha County Sheriff's Office has announced an arrest in connection with the investigation surrounding a missing teen.

19-year-old Tyler Ty Thomas, a freshman at Peru State College was reported missing last Friday. She was last seen on campus where she was heading home from a party.

Wednesday investigators arrested 29-year-old Joshua Keadle. He was charged with Providing False Information and Tampering with Evidence.

Keadle, a student at the college was identified as a person of interest in the case.

Wednesday the search for Thomas continued as search dogs from STAR1 out of Iowa and Missouri Search and Rescue from Kansas City were called in.

The FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are assisting in the case.Anyone with information related to Thomas' disappearance is asked to contact the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office at (402) 274-3139
http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?S=13648054

Keadle tells authorities he 'washed off' DNA evidence



State Troopers search the Missouri river for evidence in the case of missing Peru State College Student Tyler Thomas.





Peru, Neb. —
The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office has named Joshua Keadle, 29, as a suspect in the disappearance of Tyler Thomas, a Peru State College student that has been missing since early Dec. 3. According to court records, authorities gained probable cause for Keadle’s arrest from interviews conducted on Dec. 3, 6 and 7.

In an interview with Channel 3 News on Dec. 3 Keadle said, “It really didn’t sink in until, like, I saw her family crying outside the hallway. Then it was like, wow, this could be serious.”

Keadle said that he last saw Thomas half of a block from the Centennial Dorms early morning on Dec. 3 on his way home from the movies. “We were driving back. She was just walking alone,” said Keadle. “The only reason I really noticed her was ‘cause she didn’t have a jacket on and it was pretty cold that night.” Keadle was a Peru State College student during the interview but has since been suspended.

According to court records, Keadle was arrested for two counts of false reporting and one count of tampering with physical evidence. Court records state that Keadle changed his story three times during interviews conducted on Dec. 3, 6 and 7.

Initially Keadle gave authorities the same information as above. According to court records, in interviews conducted Dec. 6 through Dec. 7, Keadle admitted to having Thomas in his motor vehicle and that he had previously lied to peace officers about his contact with Thomas after his initial sighting of her.

Court records further indicate that Keadle admitted to having sexual contact with Thomas followed by a physical and verbal confrontation, during which time he said Thomas threatened to tell everyone that he had raped her. Court records state that later, when Keadle returned to his dorm room, he said he took a shower with the intent of washing off any physical DNA evidence.

Investigators called the Peru Fire Department Thursday morning to assist the Missouri Water Patrol in search of evidence in the Missouri River near a Peru boat ramp 1.7 miles east of town. The firefighters used fire hoses to break up ice that had formed after Thomas was reported missing. Starting Wednesday, investigators searched a square mile of lowlands around the boat ramp. The search Dec. 9 focused on the water near the boat ramp.http://www.journaldemocrat.com/features/x1714276073/Keadle-tells-authorities-he-washed-off-DNA-evidence

Jan 2nd 2011
A preliminary hearing is set Friday for a South Carolina man suspected
in the disappearance of a missing Nebraska college student. Joshua
Keadle, 29, is being held on suspicion of providing false information
and tampering with evidence in the disappearance of Tyler "Ty" Thomas.
No formal charges have been filed in that case.
But Keadle is accused
of raping another Peru State College student on Halloween. And now
faces charges of first–degree sexual assault, false imprisonment and
terroristic threats in Nemaha County Court.

http://www.khastv.com/news/local/Preliminary-hearing-set-for-suspect-in-missing-Nebraska-student-case--112790169.html

Keadle pleads not guilty; trial set for April


AUBURN -- None of the charges Joshua Keadle faces was detailed at his arraignment Wednesday morning in Nemaha County District Court.
Keadle, 29, is accused of offering a woman a ride home from a party early on Oct. 31, driving her instead to the Missouri River, then threatening to throw her into the river if she didn't have sex with him.
In court Wednesday, he heard only the five felony charges he faces -- three counts of first-degree forcible sexual assault, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of false imprisonment, all stemming from the Halloween encounter with an 18-year-old woman who was visiting a friend at Peru State College.
"He'll enter a plea of not guilty to all of them," said court-appointed defense attorney Allen Fankhauser of Auburn.
District Judge Daniel Bryan looked Keadle in the eye and asked him if that was correct. He answered, "Yes, sir."
The allegations arose after the woman contacted law enforcement following Keadle's Dec. 9 arrest in connection with the investigation into the disappearance of Peru State student Tyler "Ty" Thomas, 19.
Thomas has not been seen since shortly after leaving an off-campus party early in the morning of Dec. 3. Authorities suspended their formal search Dec. 14.
Nemaha County Sheriff Brent Lottman said Wednesday investigators will continue to search for Thomas until she is found.
Keadle gave brief answers to all of the questions Bryan asked during the arraignment. Prior to his hearing, Keadle joked briefly with his attorney while media standing in the jury box photographed him in the defendant's chair. None of the 15 representatives of Thomas' family -- who sat directly behind him during his Jan. 7 preliminary hearing -- were in court for Wednesday's arraignment.
Peru State suspended Keadle last semester, although college officials will not say whether that happened before or after his arrest on suspicion of tampering with evidence and lying to police in connection with the Thomas investigation. Following interviews with Keadle, authorities focused the search for her on the same area near the river where they found tire tracks matching those of Keadle's SUV on Dec. 7. The tracks touched the water's edge, according to search warrants unsealed this month.
According to court documents, Keadle told authorities he drove there with Thomas early Dec. 3. He said Thomas wanted him to give her a ride to Omaha, and offered him a sexual favor in return. He said she did perform a sex act, but he decided not to take her to Omaha and she got angry and threatened to accuse him of raping her. He said he left her by the river.
Nemaha County Attorney Louie Ligouri said Wednesday that Keadle remains a "person of interest" in the Thomas case, although he has not been charged in her disappearance nor has he been officially charged with either of the two crimes pertaining to the Thomas investigation for which he was arrested.

read more>
http://m.journalstar.com/mobile/article_6ede3526-e92f-56bc-ab35-2777966e1665.html

Updated: 6:32 PM Jan 28, 2011
FBI Opens Murder Investigation of a Norfolk Woman, Could Be Tied to Peru State Student Disappearance
A 1011 exclusive -- A mother tells us the FBI is now looking into the unsolved murder of her daughter. We've also learned the FBI may be tying that murder to the disappearance of Peru State Student, Tyler Thomas.
Posted: 11:08 PM Jan 27, 2011



A 1011 exclusive -- A mother tells us the FBI is now looking into the unsolved murder of her daughter.

We've also learned the FBI may be tying that murder to the disappearance of Peru State Student, Tyler Thomas.

19 year-old Lacey Anderson of Norfolk disappeared on August 23, 2009.

Her body was found three months later in the woods by hunters.

Lacey's mother Pam Johnson tells 1011News, the F.B.I. began looking into her daughter's murder one week after Tyler Thomas' disappearance.

Johnson says Joshua Keadle, the person of interest in the Thomas' case, lived in Norfolk when Lacey disappeared.

Johnson, who was working as a manager at Anytime Fitness in Norfolk, says Keadle and her daughter both worked out at that gym. Johnson says she knows Lacey and Keadle were at the gym at the same time.

She also says Keadle worked at a bar and a pool hall Lacey and her friends frequented.

An autopsy was performed in 2009 when Lacey's body was found. Now the FBI is performing its own autopsy, and Johnson is waiting for those results.

Keadle is currently in the Nemaha County Jail on rape charges.

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[url=http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/FBI_Opens_Murder_Investigation_of_a_Norfolk_Woman_Could_Be_Tied_to_Peru_State_Student_Disappearance_.html?storySection=story]http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/FBI_Opens_Murder_Investigation_of_a_Norfolk_Woman_Could_Be_Tied_to_Peru_State_Student_Disappearance_.html?storySection=story[/url]

Keadle sentenced to 15-20 years in prison

April 25, 2012 11:30 am  •  Brett Ellis/Fremont Tribune

Joshua Keadle will spend time in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in Fremont in 2008.

Dodge County District Court Judge Geoffrey Hall sentenced the 30-year-old Keadle to 15 to 20 years in prison for first-degree sexual assault of a minor on Tuesday.

Keadle, originally from Swansea, S.C., must serve at least 7 1/2 years before he is eligible for parole. He was given credit for 308 days in jail and also must register as a sex offender.

Keadle, who was convicted by a jury in March, had faced up to 50 years in prison.

Prosecutor Sandra Allen of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office asked Hall to give Keadle the maximum sentence, following the wishes of the victim.

“She wants everyone to know the true Joshua Keadle,” Allen said. “That’s why she came forward.”

Allen said she was troubled by what she called a lack of sincerity in the statements Keadle made during his pre-sentence investigation.

“He is minimizing his conduct and providing excuses, which is something he’s good at doing,” Allen said.

Keadle’s attorney, Jeff Pickens of the Nebraska Commission of Public Advocacy, acknowledged his client likely was headed to prison but said a severe sentence was not warranted.

“Maximum sentences are for the worst of the worst, and that’s not this case,” Pickens said. “... The facts of this case certainly do not suggest that a maximum sentence is in order.”

Pickens also urged Hall to base his sentence only on the Fremont case.

Keadle is considered a person of interest in the 2010 disappearance of Peru State College student Tyler “Ty” Thomas. He also had a sexual assault case dismissed in Nemaha County and has a pending indecent exposure charge in Norfolk.

Hall assured Keadle he was being treated the same as any other person convicted under the same circumstances.

“This is a court of law. It’s not a court of rumor or innuendo ...,” Hall said. “There are people in this courtroom and people across this state that wish to see you pay for other crimes, whether real or suspected.”

Hall expressed his gratitude to the victim for having the courage to come forward and testify during Keadle’s trial.

“She did not deserve to be sexually assaulted by you or anyone. No one deserves that,” Hall said. “It’s my hope that her courage will go a long way as a wake-up call to parents and young people alike: Don’t put yourself in that position because there are criminals out there that take advantage, and sir, that is you.”

Keadle spoke during sentencing and apologized for his actions.

“Sorry doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel,” Keadle said. “I took advantage of (the victim) and I’m sorry for that. I hope my actions don’t impact her in the future.”

The sexual assault took place at an apartment-style dormitory when Keadle was a student at what was then known as Midland Lutheran College.

The victim, now 18, testified that she had fallen asleep and woke up to discover Keadle having sex with her. She believed she was having sex with another person.

The jury rejected Keadle’s defense that he was unable to have sex with the victim because he was struggling with erectile dysfunction at the time of the incident.

“Mr. Keadle raped a young girl while she slept,” Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning said in a statement. “The seriousness of the crime merited a serious penalty. Today’s sentencing ensures Mr. Keadle is behind bars where he belongs.”

Fremonter Jim Love, a member of the jury that convicted Keadle, attended Tuesday’s sentencing.

“For myself, (the trial) was probably the hardest thing that I’ve ever done in my life,” Love said. “It was rewarding, intriguing, draining and emotional, which is why I was here today, to support my decision.”

Love said he respected the sentence Hall handed down.

“Everybody is entitled to a defense,” Love said. “That’s why our Constitution is in place, and if that’s what the judge — who probably knows more and sees more than what the average public does — decides, I will, as we all need to, accept the verdict.”

Prior to sentencing, Pickens withdrew a previous motion requesting a new trial.

http://fremonttribune.com/news/local/keadle-sentenced-to---years-in-prison/article_48afb542-8e44-11e1-95a5-001a4bcf887a.html

Case still open for missing Peru State student
Family holds college, man civilly responsible

UPDATED 11:29 PM CDT Jun 13, 2013

OMAHA, Neb. —Family members of a missing college student believe their loved one is dead, but they are still fighting and looking for closure.

Tyler "Ty" Thomas disappeared from Peru State College in December 2010. Family members believe the college and Ty’s former classmates are civilly responsible.

The Thomas family filed two lawsuits against the school in December. Contrary to reports that surfaced earlier this week, attorney Timothy Ashford said the case has not been dismissed. In fact, it is still open.

According to federal court documents, the Thomas’ filed a second lawsuit against Joshua Keadle and the board of trustees of the Nebraska state colleges, the governing body of Peru State.

Ashford said he still has the school on the hook and believes Keadle is civilly responsible for Thomas’ disappearance, even though he was never criminally charged.

Ashford said Keadle was the last known person to see Thomas alive, and that he knows what happened to her as he sits in prison on an unrelated rape conviction.

“We believe that Joshua Keadle should never have been on that campus,” Ashford said.

Ashford said Peru State should have done more to review Keadle's background. According to a complaint, there had been a prior disciplinary hearing concerning Keadle on allegations that he had harassed one or more female students before Thomas disappeared.

Ashford said the school should not have put the 29-year-old in the same building as college girls.

“The evidence is going to show, we believe, that there was some procedures that should have been in place at the time of the abduction and murder of Miss Thomas,” he said.

Since the legal threshold to win civil cases is less than criminal cases, Ashford believes Keadle and the college system will lose, giving the Thomas family justice, he said.

KETV NewsWatch 7’s phone calls to the board of trustees were unanswered. Keadle repeatedly denied requests in months past.

Read more: http://www.ketv.com/news/local-news/case-still-open-for-missing-peru-state-student/-/9674510/20565064/-/13esnntz/-/index.html#ixzz2j8ZKGXTR

Judge orders death certificate for missing Peru State student

PUBLISHED TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2013 AT 11:46 AM / UPDATED AT 5:52 PM

LINCOLN — Friends and family of missing Peru State College student Tyler Thomas have long said only death would prevent her from contacting them.

Now they have convinced a judge.

Nemaha County District Judge Daniel Bryan has taken the unusual step of declaring that Thomas, 19, died the night she was last seen on Dec. 3, 2010, even though her remains have not been found.

LaTanya Thomas of Omaha requested a death certificate for her daughter so she could continue to pursue wrongful death lawsuits. Thomas has filed claims in state and federal courts saying state college officials were negligent for failing to protect her daughter from another Peru State student who is a suspect in the disappearance.

Joshua Keadle, 32, has not been charged in the Thomas investigation. He currently is serving a 15- to 20-year prison term for the 2008 rape of a 15-year-old girl while he attended what's now known as Midland University in Fremont, Neb.

The Fremont victim came forward after news media reported Keadle was a person of interest in the Thomas investigation.

In a Nov. 12 order, Bryan said Thomas' cause of death remains unknown but the evidence leaves no doubt that she is dead.

State law presumes missing persons are deceased if they haven't been heard from after five years. A judge must find sufficient evidence to declare a person dead before five years expires.

Bryan described signed affidavits from multiple friends and relatives who said Thomas has not been heard from since she left an off-campus party. Nor has she used her financial accounts, Facebook or cell phone over the past three years.

LaTanya Thomas and Kevin Semans, Thomas' father, gave emotional testimony during an October court hearing, saying they are convinced their daughter was killed, said Omaha attorney Timothy Ashford, who represents the parents.

“It brought home a sense of finality to it,” Ashford said. “It brought it home that she was dead, even though we knew that.”

The judge ordered a death certificate to be issued no later than Monday.

The ruling allowed LaTanya Thomas to be named the special administrator of her daughter's estate. The title gives her standing in the lawsuits, Ashford explained.

She has sued the Nebraska State Colleges Board of Trustees and Keadle.

Keadle told authorities he picked up Thomas as she was walking from a party to a dormitory where they both lived. He said he drove her a remote spot near the Missouri River, where they had consensual sexual contact. Finally, he said he left her near the river after she threatened to accuse him of rape.

Authorities and volunteers searched the river and the hills surrounding the campus in the days after Thomas was reported missing.

Ashford said law enforcement authorities have told them the case remains open. Messages left Tuesday with Nemaha County Attorney Louie Ligouri were not returned.

After Ligouri declared a potential conflict of interest, the judge appointed Johnson County Attorney Julie Smith to represent Nemaha County in the death certificate matter. Smith did not oppose a motion to have the judge declare Thomas dead.

http://www.omaha.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131119/NEWS/131118561/1707