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Bond reduced for suspect in sex-abuse case
YOUNGSTOWN
A man jailed on charges associated with inappropriate sexual contact with nursing-home patients and the mentally challenged will have a greater chance of being released from jail on bond.
Timothy Harrell, 27, of Alameda Avenue, has been in 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.
A judge reduced the bond to $50,000 after a hearing Friday.
Prosecutors say Harrell was a caregiver at two residential facilities. He is accused of having sexual contact with a mentally challenged patient at one facility and sexual contact with a resident at the other.
The incidents reportedly took place between January and September last year.
Atty. Chris Maruca, representing Harrell, filed a motion this week with the court asking that his client’s bond be reduced.
Maruca told Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court the bond was too high because Harrell is a lifelong city resident, and the evidence against him is weak.
“They [Harrell family] don’t have the financial resources to post a $150,000 bond and, quite frankly, it does not warrant this,” he said.
Maruca said the alleged instances of sexual abuse were investigated by Harrell’s past employers and were found to be without merit. He said Harrell was terminated from his caregiver job for unrelated issues. He asked the court to release Harrell on his own recognizance.
Nicholas Brevetta, an assistant county prosecutor, told the court the prosecutor’s office has serious concerns about Harrell being released from jail on a lower bond. He said Harrell has demonstrated that he will prey upon people in a weakened state.
“The state does feel that he is a threat, and the bond is appropriate,” he said.
Brevetta asked the court to place him on house arrest, impose a no-contact order with the victims and prevent him from working as a caregiver should Harrell be released from jail.
Judge Durkin said a grand jury did find sufficient evidence for an indictment, but the judge noted Harrell has no significant criminal record.
The judge reduced the bond to $50,000, but ordered Harrell to remain on house arrest, have no contact with the victims and not work as a caregiver anywhere. Harrell’s trial is set for June 4.