By Associated Press - Tuesday, March 3, 2020

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A former Chicago White Sox minor leaguer who went on to coach a South Dakota youth team after his playing career ended has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a child and possession of child pornography.

KOTA-TV reports Juan Thomas Jr., who entered the plea Monday, is being held on a $250,000 cash bond.

Thomas, 48, is charged in Lincoln County with raping a child younger than 13 and 10 counts of child porn possession.



He was a first-baseman and right fielder who played two seasons for the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate and later played for the Sioux Falls Canaries in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.