Hells Angels sexual assault charges on hold pending further investigation

A Hells Angels member accused of a violent sexual assault remains in custody in Santa Rosa, but charges “will not be filed at this time” as an investigation continues, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Raymond Foakes, 53, of Rohnert Park remains in the Sonoma County Jail after a U.S. magistrate issued a no-bail parole warrant “based on the evidence received to date,” the office said in a written statement.

“This is an ongoing investigation into very serious charges, and it will take some additional time for the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department to complete their investigation,” District Attorney Jill Ravitch said in the statement. “Although there may be a legal basis to make an arrest, the bar is far higher to substantiate the filing of criminal charges.”

The statement concluded that a “complete investigation by the Sheriff’s Department will enable a thorough assessment of the evidence to determine if charges should be filed.”

Sheriff’s investigators arrested Foakes Monday on suspicion of sexually assaulting the wife of a Hells Angels member who reportedly was being ousted from the gang. The alleged assault occurred late Saturday, which according to federal records was just five weeks after Foakes was released from a federal prison near Fresno.

- Robert Digitale