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Exclusive: 'I felt like my body was taken over': Alleged victim of Navy aircraft mechanic speaks

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — A local girl said she's traumatized -- scared to even go out in public -- after Clay County deputies said a NAS Jacksonville worker exposed himself to her and two other teens at a gas station.

Only Action News Jax has a picture that allegedly shows Tommy Thrasher, 51, in the act.

Thursday, that alleged victim spoke exclusively with Action News Jax about the ordeal. She did not want to give her name of show her face.

"He steps over from the car, he unzips his pants and pulls out his junk," she said. "You could just clearly tell."

NAS Jax representatives said Thrasher works as an aircraft mechanic at the Fleet Readiness Center Southeast.

According to Thrasher's Facebook, Thrasher also served in the Navy.

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"Did he hurt you?" Action News Jax Reporter Russell Colburn asked.

"Yes," the alleged victim said.

Clay County deputies said on November 13, Thrasher masturbated in front of three teens, ages 15, 16 and 17, at a Daily's gas station on County Road 220 in Fleming Island.

The alleged victim said he had been watching her, so she believes she was the target.

"I felt almost as if he touched me, even though he didn't," she said.  "But, to know that if I were alone, or if any of my friends were alone, he could've done something completely different."

The alleged victim said she captured the encounter on video.

Due to its graphic nature, Action News Jax is using only a blurred still image.

Deputies charged Thrasher with lewd and lascivious exhibition, a felony, and said he has been investigated before for similar behavior by the Sheriff's Office.
 
"There's other people that are victims of it and obviously they didn't catch him, but hopefully this ends it all," the alleged victim said.

Thrasher didn't answer when Action News Jax called him Thursday, but minutes later, his wife called back saying they don't have any comment and regret previous statements that were made.

Now, the alleged victim said she's traumatized and can barely go outside.
 
"I can't even like look at the pump that he was at or at the pump I was at, and I'm really cautious of even going around that gas station, like I try to avoid it at all costs," the alleged victim said.

"It made me feel like I was being like almost molested in a way, like I felt like my body was taken over," she added.

Action News Jax reached out to the Clay County Sheriff's Office Thursday to confirm that video is considered evidence in the case.

We also wanted to know what outcome came from those other investigations involving Thrasher.  We'll let you know what we hear back.

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