Pastor charged with sexual abuse posts bail

The Willows pastor charged with sexually assaulting two teenagers from his congregation posted a $100,000 bail bond Thursday night and was released from the Glenn County Jail, the sheriff's office said.

The Rev. Carlton Hammonds, 56, of the Willows Baptist Church on Tehama Street, pleaded not guilty Monday in Glenn County Superior Court to three felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a teenage girl and a felony charge of sexual battery against another minor.

Hammonds posted bail just before 10:30 p.m., nearly a week after he was arrested by sheriff's deputies outside the church, Sgt. Jim Miranda said.

The charges stem from multiple incidents that reportedly occurred in June and July of 2006, court records state.

The Glenn County Sheriff's Office began investigating Hammonds in 2006 and filed a complaint with Glenn County prosecutors in May 2008, but staffing turnover and a back log of sexual assault cases delayed the investigation, Assistant District Attorney Dwayne Stewart said this week.

Prosecutors said they believe there are "many" more victims, but are not planning any additional charges, opting to use them as witnesses only, Stewart said.

Court records also show that Hammonds was the subject of a three-year harassment restraining order issued in September.

It was not clear Friday if the restraining order is connected to the criminal case. A phone call to the sheriff's Major Crimes Division was not immediately returned.

Hammonds is due back in court Dec. 9 for a preliminary hearing.

Contact Rob Parsons at 934-6800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.