The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied parole to Charles Thomas, 26, serving a life sentence at August State Medical Prison in Grovetown, for the 1994 rape of a LaFayette female.

According to the Board of Pardons and Paroles:

Parole Board Chairman Walter Ray said parole was denied due to the nature and circumstances of the offense.



“The Parole Board does not feel that this inmate deserves an early release from prison right now,” Ray said. “We will not release this man until we feel the public would not be at risk.”

Thomas will not be considered for parole again until March 2010. Georgia statue mandates that life sentence cases be reviewed at specified intervals; however, these reviews in no way imply that parole will be granted.

According to court records, on Feb. 5, 1994, Thomas abducted a female from the Thrifty Shopping Center in LaFayette and forced her to drive to the Lowell Green Recreation Center. She was raped and robbed of $92. Thomas then forced her to drive him back to West North Main Street. During the ride back, he told the victim his name was Ortega and provided his telephone number. Thomas then fled on foot.

The victim drove to the LaFayette Police Department and reported the incident. Thomas was arrested later the same day and identified by the victim.

Thomas was convicted of rape, kidnapping and robbery on April 21, 1995, in Walker County Superior Court. He received a life sentence for rape and 20 years each for the kidnapping and robber charges