Minister to face child sex jury trial

An April jury trial has been slated for the Baptist pastor charged with sexually assaulting two children from his congregation.

The Rev. Carlton F. Hammonds, 56, of the Willows Baptist Church on Tehama Street, entered a second not- guilty plea Friday to four felony sexual assault charges against two minors.

It was also revealed Friday in open court that prosecutors believe Hammonds' wife, Nancy, has been "complicit" in the alleged attacks, saying that she was "facilitating access to kids."

That revelations came after Hammond's attorney, Adam B. Ryan, asked Judge Donald C. Byrd to amend a condition of Hammond's bail.

Hammonds is not allowed to be in the presence of any minor without adult supervision and, furthermore, his wife Nancy, who runs the child day care center out of their family home, may not be the designated adult supervisor.

Ryan argued that because Nancy Hammonds is not charged with any crime, she should be considered an appropriate supervisor.

"It does affect their income," Adam said Friday.

Assistant District Attorney Dwayne Stewart adamantly opposed the defense motion.

"It's an issue of public safety," Stewart argued Friday in open court. "We have information that she at one time approached a 13-year-old (female church member) and said that she knew (the child) and her husband would be having relations and told her to stay away from him."

Byrd delayed ruling on the motion for several hours before deciding to "split the baby," Stewart said.

Nancy Hammonds may continue to run the center, but Carlton Hammonds is not allowed to be at home when children are present, Stewart said.

"The bottom line is that he cannot have any contact with any kids," Stewart said.

Byrd questioned why prosecutors have not formally charged Nancy Hammonds. Stewart said she would not be charged because it is not known if she had knowledge of any specific attacks.

Stewart referred to a "26-year pattern" of Nancy Hammond's "complicity" in these alleged attacks, saying she turned "a blind eye, but knew of her husband's propensity towards these types of acts."

Stewart also revealed Hammonds' prior criminal convictions, which said date back to the mid-1970s in southern California. Exact details were not available before press time Friday, but Stewart did confirm Hammonds was convicted as the driver of a getaway car from a bank robbery during the 1970s, and also said he has "multiple" marijuana possession convictions from roughly the same time.

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.

Byrd set a four-day jury trial date for April 26. Hammonds is due back in Glenn County Superior Court April 8 for a trial readiness conference.

Contact Rob Parsons at 9346800 or rparsons@tcnpress.com.