Baptist pastor headed for trial

The Willows pastor charged with sexually assaulting two teenage girls from is congregation is set to appear Thursday in Glenn County Superior Court.

A jury trial for the Rev. Carlton F. Hammonds of the Willows Baptist Church on Tehama Street is scheduled for April 26.

Hammonds, 56, has pleaded not guilty to four felony charges, including lewd acts on a child and sexual battery.

Glenn County prosecutors have said they believe Hammonds may have victimized many children from his church, but only plan to pursue charges on behalf of two reported victims.

During a Feb. 5 arraignment, prosecutors also said they believe Hammonds' wife, Nancy, was "complicit" in the reported attacks, saying she was "facilitating access to kids."

Deputy District Attorney Dwayne Stewart in February described a "26-year pattern" of Nancy Hammonds' "complicity," saying she "turned a blind eye, but knew of her husband's propensity towards these types of acts."

Prosecutors said, however, they would not file charges against Nancy Hammonds because it is not known if she had any knowledge of any specific attacks.

Judge Donald C. Byrd ruled that Nancy Hammonds could continue to run the child daycare facility out of their family home, but said Carlton Hammonds would not be allowed to be in the presence of children.

Stewart also confirmed Hammonds' prior criminal record from the 1970s, which he said includes a bank robbery conviction and multiple drug-related arrests.

Hammonds was arrested Nov. 20 outside his Tehama Street church by Glenn County sheriff's deputies after nearly a three-year investigation. He posted a $100,000 bail bond Thanksgiving Day and was released.

Prosecutors said the investigation was delayed by staff turnover at the district attorney's office.

Hammonds is scheduled to appear at 8:30 a.m. at the Willows courthouse for a trial readiness conference.

Contact Rob Parsons at

934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.