By Kristy Deer | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — Two inmates facing serious felony crimes had bail reduction hearings late last week in the county courts. Both inmates were facing higher cash bonds and were seeking relief. The process allowed one inmate to eventually be released from jail while the other is currently still listed as an inmate.
Christopher Lee Hargraves, 19, McCordsville, is facing two Level 1 felony charges of rape, among other charges from an incident in September 2020. Hargraves fled from police and went into hiding for several months when he knew there was a warrant for his arrest, officials said. Law enforcement caught up with him in February and he’s been sitting in the county jail under a $100,000 cash bond since awaiting his case to make it through the court system.
Hargraves’ attorney, Jeffery McClarnon, Greenfield, started proceedings for a bail reduction in March. Thursday, April 22, McClarnon and officials from the prosecutor’s office went before Judge Scott Sirk in Hancock County Circuit Court to discuss the issue.
Hargraves and his father both testified at the hearing that he had a job lined up and would reside in the county, and would attend all future court hearings if he was able to post an affordable bond. Officials testified Hargraves was aware of the existence of an arrest warrant for approximately four months before he was finally apprehended, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals and several other law enforcement agencies.
Chief deputy prosecutor Aimee Herring emphasized the concern for the victim’s safety, the safety of the community, and the defendant’s flight risk. The state noted that given the facts and circumstances specific to this case, the $100,000 cash bond was more than appropriate. Sirk agreed with the state’s concerns related to risk of flight were well founded and did not reduce the $100,000 cash bond. However, Sirk noted the presumption of innocence and did order Hargraves could alternatively post a $250,000 surety bond.
Surety bonds are 10% of the total bond ordered in a case and must be posted with a licensed bail agent. The bondsman then posts bail with the court on the defendant’s behalf and is essentially vouching for the defendant. Surety bonds generally require collateral in the full amount of the bond and a non-refundable cash payment equal to 10% of the full bond.
Sirk also stated the no contact order for the victim would still apply and the place of residence he will stay must have no guns present. Hargraves was still listed as an inmate in the county jail at press time as of Monday, April 26. McClarnon, who maintains his client’s innocence, said he isn’t sure if his client will be able to post the surety bond. Herring noted anyone charged with a crime is presumed to be innocent.
In the other case, Kevin Luther Robinson, 53, Columbus, Ohio, is facing a Level 2 felony count of dealing narcotics as well as a Level 2 felony count of dealing a controlled substance among other drug charges and was being held on a $12,000 cash bond with a 15-day hold. He was arrested in early March after being stopped along I-70. According to court documents, Judge D.J. Davis, Hancock County Superior Court 1, set
an original cash bond of $12,000 cash on March 19, but held a bail review hearing Wednesday, April 21.
During the review hearing Robinson’s attorney, Mark Nicholson, asked for a reduction. Davis set a $30,000 surety bond for Robinson, who bailed out shortly after. Davis ordered Robinson to appear at all future hearings, but said he may appear remotely if requested on time. Robinson has a pretrial conference set for mid-May.
