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Preliminary hearing for Reams moved back to May 12
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STOCKTON — A Manteca real estate agent accused of raping a dependent adult will have to wait two weeks to see whether there is enough evidence to bring the matter to trial.

A public defender representing Reams because his court-appointed counsel Christina Catania was absent requested that the preliminary hearing be continued until May 12 – drawing no opposition from Deputy District Attorney Gina Della Maggiore who had previously refused to wave time before the case was transferred to Stockton.

Reams, 63, is being charged with rape of a dependent adult, elder or dependent adult abuse, and rape with a foreign object – all felonies in the State of California. He’s also being charged with misdemeanor sexual battery.

When asked about why Reams’ bail was increased from $150,000 to $250,000 during court proceedings last week, Della Maggiore could say very little other than that the investigation into the allegations is still ongoing.

“The investigation in this matter is still ongoing, and as always is the case in matters like these it’s always possible that new charges may arise,” she said. “There’s always the chance that there is additional information that is discovered that was not listed in the initial warrant.”

On Monday Catania made a request to Judge Richard Guiliani to have Reams released on his own recognizance because – she claimed – he suffered from serious health issues included a bad heart that was in dire need of surgical repair or else he could end up dead within a matter of months.

Guiliani denied the motion pending medical documentation and the outcome of the pretrial conference.

Shortly after the case broke several weeks ago, Manteca Police Department Public Information Officer Rex Osborn said that investigators working with both the San Joaquin County Adult Protective Services as well as the San Joaquin County Child Advocacy Center had discovered alleged sexual abuse taking place between Reams and the single victim between 2007 and 2009.

The victim’s name is being withheld to protect her identity.

Reams’ arrest sent minor shockwaves through the community that he has championed over the years in a variety of ways – ranging from his outspoken rallying in an attempt to improve the situation of the homeless in Manteca to his self-produced public access shows titled “Manteca Magazine” that aired for several years.

He also penned a volunteer column for the Manteca Bulletin, and spent a brief amount of time selling advertising space for the weekly Sun Post.

Reams is next scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, May 12, at 9 p.m. inside of Department 36 at San Joaquin Superior Court in Downtown Stockton. He is still being held on $250,000 bail.