Bend Rape Suspect Can Move to Portland

A Bend man arrested recently on rape charges was given permission by a judge Tuesday to leave the area and live with his brother in Portland, pending further court proceedings.

As a result, Circuit Judge Hugh Downer, a judge from Coos County filling in in Deschutes County, pushed back the next court date for Thomas Harry Bray, 37, originally set for March 15. It’s now scheduled for May 9.

The part-time COCC instructor was accused of raping a 23-year-old woman late last month in his downtown Bend apartment. He’d met the woman at an online dating service and they’d agreed to meet downtown for a drink.

Bray was booked into jail and later released after posting 10 percent of his $407,500 bail.

Bray’s attorneys asked Downer to allow Bray to move to Los Angeles, to live with his parents. The judge denied that request but granted the request to move to Portland and live with his brother.

Bray will be required to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, surrender his passport and not possess or consume alcohol.

Bray and his attorney declined to speak to NewsChannel 21 outside the courthouse.