Realignment had no role in early release of rape suspect

An Olivehurst man accused of sexually assaulting a woman at knife-point last week served seven months of a two-year sentence, with credits for time served, and was released in late December, authorities said, but Joseph Scott Mason did not receive an early release from prison, the California Department of Corrections said Thursday.

"Realignment did not have anything to do with (Mason's) release date," said Luis Patino, spokesman for the state corrections department. "He would still have been at exactly the same time."

It was reported Thursday that Mason received an early release through the state's prison realignment program.

Mason, 48, was arrested Monday after Yuba County sheriff's deputies said he raped a 46-year-old woman at least twice last week.

He was released from state prison in late December after serving seven months of a two-year sentence in Sutter County for possession of an illegal weapon, the Sutter County Probation Department confirmed.

Sutter County Chief Probation Officer Christine Odom said Mason is part of the Post-Release Community Supervision Program, but was also adamant Mason's release had nothing to do with that fact.

Mason was sentenced to two years in prison in May with work and conduct credit for 300 days, Odom said.

Yuba County Sheriff Steve Durfor said Mason choked the woman to unconsciousness once and assaulted her at knifepoint on Monday.

Durfor said Mason and the woman got into some type of argument last week that resulted in Mason choking the woman until she passed out. A few days later, Durfor said, Mason "forced the victim to have sex with him while she slept."

Mason is accused of confronting the woman a third time Monday, Durfor said.

"This time he threatened her with a knife and raped her at her home," the sheriff said.

Mason has pleaded not guilty to charges of rape by force, assault with a deadly weapon and use of a deadly weapon during a sex crime, authorities said.

He is due back in Yuba County Superior Court on Feb. 1. He remains in custody without bail.