Police: Former Bull Run Elementary Principal Accused of Sexually Assaulting Minor

A retired Fairfax County elementary school principal, scout leader and Clifton resident has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor at Burke Lake Park, according to the Virginia State Police.

Thomas H. Clement, 62, was arrested without incident May 23 after being accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old boy during an overnight church camping trip at Burke Lake Park in Oct. 2009. Clement, who is being held without bond, is a member of Centerpoint Church in Fair Oaks and spent years as the leader of a church scout group.

The case is being investigated by the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Culpeper Field Office. Virginia State Police are asking anyone with information related to this incident or Clement to contact Special Agent J.B. Root at (540) 829-7744. 

Clement, who worked in the Loudoun and Fairfax County Public School systems for over 20 years, was most recently the principal of Bull Run Elementary from 1999 until his retirement in 2006. He is currently the executive director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University, which conducts adult education.

Clement was also the assistant principal at London Towne Elementary School, Centreville Elementary School and was the principal at Canterbury Woods Elementary School. His career began in 1975, where he taught middle school in Loudoun County. He also taught fourth, fifth and sixth grade for more than a decade in Fairfax County. 

Clement has been praised for his leadership abilities.

"He's very kid-oriented," said a Bull Run parent in a 2006 Connection story on Clement's retirement. "He's not afraid to do lots of new programs, such as geography bees and plays, and he's always there at every activity. He is so supportive of the kids."