Man accused of toddler's rape posts bond

From: Jackson Sun, TN - May 15, 2003

By RACHAEL MYER

An 18-year-old man accused of raping a preschool-age relative posted a $10,000 bond Thursday and will return to court in June.

Brandon Thygesen, of Tenn. 186 in Gibson, will have a preliminary hearing at 3:30 p.m. June 5 in Crockett County General Sessions Court. He is charged with two counts of raping a child. The Class A felony charge carries a penalty of 10 to 15 years in prison.

Thygesen is accused of raping the Gadsden relative in her bathroom May 9 while her parents briefly went next door to a neighbor's home, said Penny Curtis, a Sheriff's Department investigator.

Thygesen's public defender, Diane Blount, was not available for comment Thursday afternoon.

General Sessions Judge Shannon Jones declined to comment Thursday on whether $10,000 is a normal bond for such a charge.

He said he decided on $10,000 based on what was said in court. The state prosecution requested Thursday that Jones increase Thygesen's bond from what was decided at the initial arraignment, Jones said.

Jones initially released Thygesen on his own recognizance at an arraignment Monday with the condition of his returning to school to graduate. Curtis recommended Thygesen be released on his own recognizance, he said.

Thygesen attended the School for the Deaf in Knoxville for the majority of his life, Curtis said. The school would not let him return after being accused of a felony, officials have said.

An interpreter is helping Thygesen communicate with investigators.

Copyright 2003 The Jackson Sun