A 62-year-old Clifton, Va., man is behind bars following allegations he sexually assaulted a 9-year-old boy during a church-sanctioned trip over three years ago.
Police arrested Thomas H. Clement Thursday and charged him with two counts of felony aggravated sexual battery of a minor, Virginia State Police Spokeswoman Corrine Geller said.
The victim, who is now 13, told police the alleged sexual assault took place during a youth group overnight camping trip at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax County in October 2009. Geller said the youth group was from a church in Fairfax County.
"I'm stunned," Clement's neighbor told News4. "He is good-natured, mild-mannered... a good neighbor."
Prior to his retirement from Fairfax Couny Public Schools, Clement served as principal of Bull Run Elementary School from 1999 until 2006. He was also a teacher within the system.
"Right now there are no allegations of any sexual or any other misconduct at all, in any other context," Clement's lawyer Michael Sprano said.
Clement was released on $10,000 bond.
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The investigation is ongoing, according to Virginia State Police.
