CDC executive arrested for child molestation, bestiality, out of jail

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention official who has been charged with two counts of child molestation and bestiality for sexual acts involving a 6-year-old boy bonded out of jail Tuesday.

DeKalb County Jail Kimberly Quinlan Lindsey, 44, faces charges of child molestation and bestiality.

DeKalb County Jail Thomas Westerman, 42, faces child molestation charges.

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Kimberly Quinlan Lindsey, 44, had been held in the DeKalb County jail on $20,000 bond. According to a DeKalb County criminal warrant obtained Sunday, her boyfriend, Thomas Westerman, also was arrested on two counts of child molestation. Westerman works for the CDC as a night watchman, his LinkedIn profile states. The pair, who live together in Decatur, surrendered to authorities Sunday afternoon, said DeKalb police spokeswoman Pamela Kunz.

Lindsey, 44, serves as the deputy director for the Laboratory Science Policy and Practice Program Office at the CDC, according to her biography on the agency's website.  The Emory University graduate, who's been with the CDC since 1999, was formerly a senior health scientist responsible for overseeing a $1.5 billion fiscal allocation process for terrorism preparedness.

A medical professional alerted police about the child molestation allegation on Aug. 24, Kunz said. The warrant cites two incidents --  the first in Jan. 2010 and the latest on Aug. 22.

"During the investigation evidence was recovered that led to the bestiality charge," Kunz said.

Lindsey earned her Ph.D. in Immunology Molecular Pathogenesis from Emory in 1998 following nine years as a research scientist. She rose quickly through the ranks of the CDC, beginning as a senior scientist in the bioterrorism program before joining the HIV/AIDS prevention division in 2000. She has received 12 awards for outstanding performance on projects and programs, according to an academic bio.

Westerman, 42, started working for the CDC in January.

A CDC spokesman said its policy is to not comment on personnel matters.

Westerman was released on bond early Sunday morning. Lindsey was released Tuesday on $20,000 bond. The two suspects are scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Dec. 1.