Judge grants bond reduction to man charged with sex crimes

YOUNGSTOWN — A man jailed on charges associated with inappropriate sexual contact with nursing-home patients and the mentally challenged will now have a greater chance of being released from jail on bond.

Timothy Harrell, 27, of Alameda Avenue, has been sitting in the Mahoning County jail on a $150,000 bond since he was indicted April 11. He is charged with rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition and patient abuse.

Prosecutors say Harrell was a caregiver at two separate residential facilities. He is accused of having sexual contact with a mentally challenged patient at one facility and sexual contact with another resident at the other facility.

The incidents reportedly took place between January and September last year.

Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court today reduced the bond amount from $150,000 to $50,000, but ordered Harrell to remain on house arrest, have no contact with the victims in the case and not work as a caregiver anywhere. Harrell’s trial is set for June 4.

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