Forest man sentenced in sexual battery case

By Tyler Flynn
Intern Writer
news@bedfordbulletin.com

    A Forest man was sentenced for an amended sexual battery charge in Bedford Circuit Court Tuesday.
    Kyle Richard Tomko, who had originally been charged with the felony of aggravated sexual battery, had his charge amended to misdemeanor sexual battery. He pleaded no contest to the sexual battery charge, as well as to a felony abduction charge.
     According to Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Wes Nance, on the evening of Oct. 25, 2011, Tomko invited an ex-girlfriend to his home to discuss their relationship. During the course of the evening, Tomko forcefully encouraged the woman to enter his living quarters in the basement, as well as attempted to disrobe her without her consent. He also prevented her from leaving the residence, which she was able to do only after he fell asleep.
    The woman contacted law enforcement officers several days later requesting a protective order. Tomko was arrested for the incident on Nov. 11.
    Tomko was sentenced to a total of six years in prison with five years, nine months suspended, amounting to three months of jail time. He will also remain on supervised probation for four years, and is required to undergo a sex offender evaluation, have regular meetings with a probation officer, undergo screening for substance abuse and have no contact with the victim.
    Tomko is scheduled to report for his jail service on June 11 at 2 p.m.