MORGANTOWN — Bond was reduced Monday for man accused of sexual abuse by a parent or guardian.
Gerald D. Hess, 23, of Morgantown, was charged with sexual abuse by a parent or guardian. At Monday’s hearing his attorney asked that Hess’ bond be reduced from $50,000 to $25,000. He said his client had roots in the area and was not a flight risk.
Monongalia County Prosecuting Attorney Perri Jo DeChristopher said she did not have a problem with the reduction of bond, but asked Magistrate James Nabors to prohibit Hess from contacting the alleged victim or her family.
Hess was in a relationship with a relative of the victim, but DeChirstopher did not believe the relationship was ongoing, she said.
Nabors agreed to grant the reduction in bond since the prosecutor agreed with the request. He told Hess he is accused of a very serious crime and while he’s not been convicted he thought $50,000 was an appropriate amount. He set the conditions asked by DeChristopher and added a condition that Hess can’t be alone with anyone 15 or younger.
According to a criminal complaint:
The Monongalia County Sher-iff’s Department received a report of sexual abuse of a 7-year-old girl. She was taken to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, where a forensic sexual assault exam was conducted. A forensic interview also was conducted with the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center.
The girl said Hess, who she called Jay, would come into her room and sexually abuse her. She said there were multiple sexual encounters.
Detectives spoke to multiple people who the 7-year-old told about the abuse and those statements were consistent throughout, the complaint states.
A West Virginia State Police lab report later showed a positive DNA match consistent with Hess’ DNA.
