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Jason Thomas Nichols: 5 things to know as bail surges to $250,000 with child molestation charge from different case
Jason Thomas Nichols from California went viral for insisting he was a wizard while trying to enter a family's home.
Jason Thomas Nichols, a man from California, gained notoriety when viral footage from his Ring doorbell showed him insisting on seeing a child while claiming to be a fictional wizard.
Jason Thomas Nichols faces new charge from another case: 5 things to know
- During a Monday arraignment, his bail increased to $250,000 (£185,000) after prosecutors initiated a child molestation charge related to a different incident that occurred two days prior to the break-in.
- Nichols, 30, made his initial court appearance before Solano County Superior Court Judge William Pendergast on April 13. He shook his head in response to the judge reading the complaint but refrained from entering a plea.
- The Fairfield Police Department has confirmed in a statement that the new charge of annoying or molesting a child under 18 pertains to an alleged encounter on April 5 involving Nichols and a child of a witness. The department said that this charge was added while Nichols was already in custody for the home invasion that occurred on April 7.
- A spokesperson for the Fairfield Police confirmed to PEOPLE that the incident on April 5 involved a different child than the 5-year-old who was present in the Burbank Court residence during the break-in. Due to the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of a minor, authorities have not disclosed additional details.
- The introduction of the new charge has increased Nichols' bail from the initial $35,000 (£26,000) to $250,000 (£185,000). Investigators noted that Nichols resides behind the victim's home, although a motive has yet to be established.
Jason Thomas Nichols arrested in Fairfield
The shocking incident commenced at approximately 9 a.m. on April 7, when Nichols arrived at the residence clad in a black trench coat, a Demon Slayer anime shirt, and flip flops. Footage from the Ring doorbell depicted him forcefully knocking on the front door while insisting on seeing the family's daughter.
When the homeowner inquired about his identity, Nichols proclaimed himself to be ‘Harry Dresden,’ the wizard protagonist from Jim Butcher's urban fantasy series, The Dresden Files.
After failing to force the front door open, Nichols proceeded to break a gate and gained entry through a sliding glass door. Meanwhile, the homeowner's pregnant wife and their 5-year-old child took refuge in the garage.
Interior surveillance footage recorded Nichols rummaging through rooms and shouting obscenities while demanding to locate the girl.
The homeowner, who had been observing the events remotely through the Ring camera, hurried back and confronted Nichols wielding a shovel. Both people suffered head injuries during the ensuing physical confrontation.
