19-year-old arrested for sexually abusing a child under 12 in DeKalb County

Ricardo Nicolas Tomas

FORT PAYNE, Al. (WDEF) —  A 19-year-old from Marshall County has been arrested after allegedly sexually abusing a child under the age of 12.

On June 23, 2025, a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) investigator received a call from a deputy about a sexual assault case.

The deputy responded to an address in Marshall County regarding a five-year-old being sexually assaulted last month in DeKalb County.

The suspect, Ricardo Nicolas Tomas, was transported to the DeKalb County Detention Center.

According to DCSO, Tomas later admitted to sexually assaulting the 5-year-old.

He was arrested and currently being held on a $50,000 bond.

Tomas is being charged with Sex Abuse — Child Less Than 12.

“The Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Albertville Police Department, Boaz Police Department, Marshall County Department of Human Resources, Marshall County Children’s Advocacy Center and the 9th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for their assistance and dedication in this case.”

-DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden