Bedford grand jury to hear sex crime charges against R.I. man

Charges against a Rhode Island man accused of sex crimes against a 13-year-old Bedford County girl will move forward to a grand jury.

Andrew Fitzgerald Holloway, 21 at the time of his arrest in February, waived his preliminary hearing Monday in Bedford County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Wes Nance said a mental health evaluation caused the delay in bringing Holloway’s case to court.

Three counts of unlawful carnal knowledge and two counts of using a computer to solicit sex acts will now be considered by a county grand jury.

Bedford County authorities believe the relationship between Holloway and the girl started six months before Holloway flew to the area Feb. 3. They believe the two met while playing an online Xbox video game, Lost Planet.

The girl’s parents reported her missing the evening Holloway flew in.

The two were found late the next day less than a mile from the girl’s home. In a February news conference, Sheriff Mike Brown said the two wandered overnight in a wooded area between Evington and Bethel Church roads in an area between New London and Evington.

They were caught when the girl, whose picture had been published and broadcast, came to a neighbor’s house looking to use the phone.

County grand juries are scheduled to meet Aug. 7 and Sept. 1.