Claremont Psychologist Accused of Molestation Heads Back to Court

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a Claremont psychologist accused of molesting two boys under the age of 14.

Thomas Gary Amberson, 56, was arrested by the Claremont Police Department on Nov. 15 on charges of child molestation related to two separate individuals, according to a felony complaint from the district attorney's office.

The case is scheduled to be heard at Pomona Superior Court, Department N. Court dates, however, are subject to change based on staff or attorney needs.

On Jan. 16, Amberson entered a plea of not guilty. District Attorney officials had charged him with four felony counts of lewd acts on a child, plus another count of possessing child pornography. Amberson could face 15 years to life behind bars, court records show.

The crimes against the first boy occurred between January and November 2012 while the acts against the second boy are said to have happened back in 2007, between September and October, according to the felony complaint.

Amberson, who specializes in child psychology, has an office on Yale Ave. in Claremont.

According the California Boar of Consumer Affairs Board of Psychology, Amberson was ordered to stop seeing patients under age 18 effective Jan. 16. The provision was a condition of his bail pending the outcome of the trial.

The patient restriction is set to expire on its own on Dec. 31, 2014.