BishopAccountability.org

Brooks man to be tried on 10 counts of rape

By Alexa Armstrong
Statesman Journal
February 02, 2015

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2015/02/02/brooks-man-tried-counts-rape/22761471/

Peter Bass

ASHLEY SMITH / STATESMAN JOURNALPeter Bass talks with his attorney Robert Botta during his arraignment in Salem, Ore. on Thursday. Peter Bass talks with his attorney Robert Botta during his arraignment at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, in Salem, Ore.

A former Brooks youth pastor, Peter Bass, 33, who has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree rape, declined to enter a plea during a short court appearance Monday morning.

His case has been moved to Marion County Circuit Court where it will be heard by Judge Tracy Prall.

Sgt. Chris Baldridge, a spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff's Office, declined to say how Bass may have known the victims, but said it was not through his work as a youth pastor.

Bass was arraigned at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex Jan. 22, and was formally charged with 10 counts of first-degree rape. His bail was set at $1 million.

The court also issued a no-contact order for Bass, prohibiting him from having any interaction with the victims or minors. He is also not to use a smartphone, the Internet or a computer. According to Bass's attorney, Robert Botta, an alleged victim has left the state.

It remains unclear when the alleged crimes took place.

Baldridge declined to release the probable-cause statement at the time of Bass' arraignment, explaining that it was because of the nature of the case.

A probable cause statement is a police affidavit that establishes why a suspect should be held until he can appear before a judge. They are usually released to the media after an arraignment.

Residents of Brooks had opinions ranging from shock to dismay following the arrest of youth pastor from Brooks Assembly of God Church on Jan 21.

"He would come in three or more times a week," said Sue Collins, a cashier at True Value Hardware in Brooks. She described Bass as a regular customer.

"The church has an account here, and he would come in for home projects," Collins said, adding that his arrest came as a shock.

"I never would have expected to hear something like this about him."

As a result of the Marion County Sheriff's Office investigation, Bass was fired from the church, said Sgt. Chris Baldridge of the sheriff's office. Church officials declined to comment at the time of the arrest.

Garrett Darras, Collins' co-worker, said he had helped Bass in the store a few times.

"I thought he was a pretty nice guy. I never saw a bad side of him," Darras said.

Russ Cowery, who lives across the street from the church, said he was hospitalized for a stroke in December and that's when he met Bass.

"He was a very pleasant young gentleman," Cowery said.

Bass' next hearing will be at 8 a.m. Feb. 10. at the Marion County Circuit Court building, 100 High Street NE.

Contact: aarmstrong@statesmanjournal.com




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