Former juvenile probation officer gets probation for sex offense

Rebecca Malone

Friday, Aug. 17, 2001 | 11:01 a.m.

A former Clark County juvenile probation officer who pleaded guilty to having sexual relations with one of his probationers has been placed on five years probation.

Tommy Burse pleaded guilty to one count of statutory sexual seduction, punishable by one to five years in prison, back in June, but he was also eligible for parole.

District Judge Donald Mosley sentenced Burse on Thursday, after hearing a letter written by the victim's sister asking the judge to deny probation.

"Please don't give him probation," read Deputy District Attorney Lisa Luzaich from a letter written by the victim's sister. "Tommy Burse took my sister's childhood away. My sister was not the first and unless he goes to prison, she will not be the last."

The victim's sister said that a probation officer is in the position to help people get back on their feet and make sure they are making the right choices, but this officer took advantage of his position and her sister.

Should Burse violate his probation, he could be sentenced to one to four years in prison.

During Burse's preliminary hearing in 1999, the 14-year-old girl testified about two encounters in June 1998 with her then 35-year-old probation officer.

The girl told how Burse had obtained a beeper for her and how she was twice summoned to meet him a short distance from her home.

She testified that for their outings he took her to the Del Mar Motel, 1411 Las Vegas Blvd. South, which specializes in showing adult videos and renting rooms in three-hour blocks.

One of Burse's co-workers turned him in, and he was fired in November 1998.