PROWLER SUSPECT MAY FACE DRUG TRIAL

Santa Cruz's suspected Seabright stalker will probably be tried in
federal court over an alleged marijuana factory before being
prosecuted locally on sexual assault and prowling charges.

William Warner Wilson, 37, appeared Tuesday in Santa Cruz County
Superior Court for arraignment on a warrant charging him with sexual
assault and burglary. The proceeding, however, was merely continued a
week and no action was taken.

Wilson is scheduled for arraignment Thursday in federal court in San
Jose on a charge of running a sophisticated marijuana factory on rural
property he owns. The pot farm was discovered during a search on the
sexual assault and burglary charges.

The drug charge carries a sentence of 10 years to life in
prison.

Santa Cruz police arrested Wilson on April 17 at a rented house in
Santa Cruz after allegedly linking him by fingerprints to a Feb. 2
break-in and sexual assault on Buena Vista Avenue. He could face a
10-year sentence if convicted on those charges.

Santa Cruz police believe Wilson is responsible for many similar
incidents in the Seabright neighborhood in recent years. Police said
the victim of a March 15 peeping incident has identified Wilson. He
also has been tentatively identified by the victims of two other
sexual assaults and a prowling case, police said. But no additional
charges have been filed.

Assistant District Attorney Gretchen Brock said federal officials will
prosecute Wilson first on the drug charges, giving local authorities
more time to build their case. Police are awaiting results of
fingerprint and genetic testing to determine whether Wilson can be
linked to additional cases, she said.

Wilson's lawyer, Stephen LaBerge, and his mother and sister declined
to comment on the case.