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March 27, 2008

Man faces trial in molestation case involving 2 foreign teens

By Cass Rains, Staff Writer

A 59-year-old Enid man has been bound over for trial on three felony sex offenses he allegedly committed against two foreign exchange students he hosted in 2006.

Stewart Lee Tobias was charged with one count of lewd molestation, one count of sexual battery and one count of forcible sodomy. A second count of sexual battery was dropped at the request of the prosecution.

Two of the victims testified during a preliminary hearing, and due to the testimony the sodomy count was filed, Assistant District Attorney Stefanie Hampton said. Hampton said the second count of sexual battery was dropped because the third victim was not able to testify.

According to charges, the incidents involve boys ages 15, 16 and 17.

A report was made to Enid police Oct. 26, 2006, concerning possible abuse against four boys living in Enid as participants of a foreign exchange student program.

An Enid High School counselor was approached by one of the boys wanting to know the process for changing host parents. The 16-year-old boy told the counselor his host parent, Tobias, had been touching him.

Tobias faces three to 20 years in prison on the molestation charge and up to 10 years on the sexual battery charge. Forcible sodomy carries a punishment of up to 20 years.

Tobias is scheduled for arraignment in Garfield County District Court on the three charges April 16 and is being held in Garfield County Detention Facility in lieu of $100,000 bond.

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