Newberry, SC (WLTX) - In Newberry County, deputies say that an accused child molester has been released from jail after his bond was wrongly issued.
Deputies say that 25-year-old John Thurston Ussery Jr. of Irmo, was arrested on November 14th and charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Ussery is accused of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old while babysitting in Newberry County.
The suspect was then released the next day by Magistrate Judge Tom Abraham on a personal appearance bond, just one day after being arrested.
According to state law, when a person is charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct with a person under the age of 11 the bond must be set by a circuit court judge. Authorities say that after realizing this mistake, they are now looking for Ussery.
Authorities say that the Solicitor's Office told the Newberry Sheriff's Office to serve Ussery with a summons to appear in general sessions court on November 30. Right now, deputies say they can't find him.
When Ussery appears in court, that's when the Solicitor's Office will ask the Circuit Court Judge to overrule the improper bond and set a new bond for Ussery.
If you know where Ussery is, Call CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC or text TIPSC plus your message to CRIMES (274637).
11/21/2009 5:02:37 PM
