Man gets 26 years in burglaries, assaults

An Arlington man who was dubbed the "Georgetown Cuddler" was sentenced Friday to more than 26 years in prison for burglary and assaults on five male Georgetown University students.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Gregory E. Jackson sentenced Todd M. Thomas, 24, to prison for burglarizing the homes and assaulting the students between 2007 and 2008.

The victims said they awoke in the middle of the night to find Thomas in their apartments. At times, Thomas was massaging or groping the victim’s shoulders and ankles. Another time, Thomas sexually assaulted one of the victims. The attacks occurred in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of 33rd and 35th streets NW.

In November, a jury found Thomas guilty of 11 charges, including burglary and sexual and simple assault.

Investigators continue to look for at least one other man, also dubbed a “cuddler,” who police say is targeting women near Georgetown University and who is also breaking into residences and sexually assaulting or groping them while they were asleep. One of the most recent assaults on a female resident occurred in January, when Thomas was in D.C. jail.

Authorities said they do not think Thomas is connected to the more recent assaults.

— Keith L. Alexander