BEAUMONT, Texas — A trial date has been set for a Jefferson County judge accused of sexual harassment of an employee.
Jefferson County Precinct Eight Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam III was indicted in August 2023 on a charge of official oppression related to sexual harassment.
Gillam III appeared before Judge John Stevens Thursday morning in Jefferson County’s Criminal District Court where prosecutors and his defense attorney discussed setting a trial date.
Judge Stevens set his trial date for March 6, 2024.
Gillam III is currently free on a $10,000 bond and has been suspended without pay since September 2023.
“I could care less if it's Election Day. This man's out of work right now,” defense attorney Layne Walker said during Thursday morning ‘s hearing.
If convicted, he faces up to one year in the Jefferson County Jail and a fine up to $4,000.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office recused itself from the case and the district attorney’s office in Liberty was appointed as “pro tem” to prosecute the case.
In the fall of 2022, the Texas Rangers began investigating an allegation against Gillam of a misdemeanor offense of official oppression related to sexual harassment according to the statement.
The indictment says Gillam subjected a female employee in his office "to sexual harassment by making unwelcome sexual advances, making requests for sexual favors, and physical conduct of a sexual nature, knowing that the advances or requests was not welcomed by the complainant,"
The indictment also states that he was acting under "the color of his office or employment as a public servant."
Gillam has held office for nearly 20 years and as JP for Precinct Eight his office covered parts of Port Arthur, Port Acres and Sabine Pass. His office is at the sub-courthouse in downtown Port Arthur.
Judge Gillam III was appointed to the bench in April 2004 after then Judge Thurman Bartie was removed according to the Jefferson County Clerk's office.
He was then elected to office in 2006.
In late 2011 Gillam was accused of sexual assault by a 16-year-old girl who had appeared before him on a truancy charge according to file stories.
The case was sent to a grand jury but they “no billed” him and he did not go to trial on the charges.
“No billed” means that the grand jury found there was not enough evidence to support the girl’s allegations.
In February 2017 Gillam was wounded in Southeast Houston when he said a woman approached him asking for money while he was on the phone sitting in his car according to file stories.
He told police that at about the same time in his rear-view mirror he noticed a person approaching the back of his car while reaching for a gun.
Gillam pulled his own gun and when the person fired at him, he returned fire but it was unclear if he hit the person.
He was released from a Houston hospital a few days later.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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