WILMINGTON (NC)
The Charlotte Observer
Associated Press
WILMINGTON, N.C. - A minister facing felony sex abuse charges is being held on a $10 million bond, a figure some suggest is unusually high.
The Rev. Jonathan W. Ballard, 34, was charged Wednesday with six counts of indecent liberties with a child and three counts of first-degree sex offense with a child. A magistrate set the $10 million bond that night.
Dick Ellis, spokesman for the state Administrative Office of Courts, said a number of factors can determine the bond amount, including the nature and circumstances of the alleged offense, the weight of evidence, and potential for jumping bond.
Ellis also said a $10 million bond sounds high.
T.A. Smith, a child abuse investigator with the New Hanover County sheriff's office, said the bond was high because Ballard is a flight risk and "a lot of (church) members would do anything to get him out." Smith also said Ballard has relatives in other states.
Posted by kshaw at December 19, 2004 08:21 AM