Willows rape suspect released, trial delayed
A rape suspect was released from custody Thursday after prosecutors asked the Glenn County Superior Court judge for additional time to "investigate new matters."
Willows police arrested Thomas Adam Fred at his family's home on the Grindstone Rancheria near Elk Creek on Nov. 7, after an adult woman reported Fred sexually assaulted her two days earlier at her home in Willows, authorities said.
District Attorney Robert S. Holzapfel declined to comment Thursday afternoon on the nature of the additional investigation requested.
A March 22 jury trial was vacated and Fred was ordered to appear in Superior Court on April 8 for a trial readiness conference.
Fred, 25, of Willows, faces felony charges of sexual battery, sodomy, sexual penetration by a foreign object and three counts of rape, court records state.
Fred waived his preliminary hearing in December.
The reported victim, whose name has been withheld, is a woman who reportedly knew Fred prior to reported attack.
Willows police Chief Bill Spears said at the time of the arrest, physical and forensic evidence were collected from both Fred and the reported victim, but declined to elaborate on the nature of that evidence pending completion of the investigation.
Police were called to Glenn Medical Center just before 1 a.m. Nov. 6. A woman told police she had been assaulted earlier that evening in her home, police said.
Judge Donald C. Byrd ordered Fred to stay away from the reported victim.
Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.
