A former chief detective was sentenced to three to 24 months in the Warren County Prison and 24 months of probation in the Court of Common Pleas.

Thomas J. Kibbey, 41, of Warren pleaded guilty on Wednesday during plea court proceedings to two counts of two second-degree misdemeanor charges of official oppression.

The sentencing was made by Judge John F. Cherry of Dauphin County.

Kibbey was originally charged with two third-degree felony charges of peace officer-sexual intercourse/contact with a person in custody/detention in June 2025 by the state Attorney General’s office. Bail was set at $50,000.

The sentencing is a result of an alleged inappropriate relationship between a confidential informant for the Warren County Drug Task Force and former Warren County Prison inmate.

During the Plea Court on Wednesday, Attorney General Alexander Cashman stated that there is text evidence, witnesses and evidence from the victim that Kibbey and the victim had intercourse on two separate occasions.

According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, filed by a state Attorney General’s office investigator, a forensic download from the victim’s cell phone identified inappropriate contact between Kibbey and the victim.

An Assistant Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations received an investigative referral from the Erie office of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms stating the informant was possibly trading guns for drugs. When the Homeland Security officer analyzed the photo data during a review, they allegedly saw photographs of Kibbey, including some that were “explicit in nature,” according to the affidavit.

The Homeland Security officer notified his superiors. In March, the Attorney General’s Office investigator viewed text messages between the informant and Kibbey. According to the affidavit, the messages began professionally and turned “flirtatious” with messages regarding sexual attractions and sex in general. The texts allegedly included plans to meet on June 22, 2024.

According to the Affidavit, the Attorney General’s office investigator met with the victim on March 12, 2025 at the Warren Police Department where the victim admitted to having intercourse with Kibbey twice and texting with Kibbey until August 31, 2024. The victim was arrested on September 1, 2024, and their phone was seized.

During the plea court, Kibbey’s attorney Gene Placidi spoke to his character, stating that the defendant has since devoted much of his time to bettering himself.

He shared that Kibbey has been attending counseling, marriage counseling and a Bible study group.

Placidi also stated that Kibbey “has strong family support” including his wife and parents.

During the plea court proceeding, Kibbey shared this same sentiment.

“I would like to apologize to the victim, community and my family. My actions caused harm and distress, and for that I take full responsibility,” said Kibbey.

Placidi proposed a 12 month probation for his client saying he believed that was fair, while Cashman stated he thought probation should be longer than 12 months.

Judge Cherry stressed the seriousness of the offense.

“He took advantage of a person entrusted to his direction,” said Cherry.

Cherry also stated that Kibbey also took advantage of the trust of the people of Warren County.

Kibbey was sentenced to three to 25 months in the Warren County Prison beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and a $250 fine for the first charge of official oppression.

He also sentenced Kibbey to 24 months of probation and a $250 fine for the second official oppression charge. During probation, Kibbey is to have no contact with the victim and no employment with law enforcement.

The sentences will run consecutively.

Kibbey resigned from his Chief Detective position in March of 2025 after a possible misconduct complaint was brought to the county District Attorney’s office in January of 2025, according to former county district attorney Rob Greene.

As Chief Detective, Kibbey coordinated the Warren County Drug Task Force and served as a liaison between the district attorney’s office and the county’s law enforcement agencies. He also worked on trial preparation, handling the evidence room and crimes committed at the courthouse.