That and other information provided by the government will keep Lewis behind bars for the foreseeable future.
U. S. District Court Judge David P. Rush ruled today that Lewis will be held without bond as he faces child pornography charges.
From the order:
Regarding the potential for failure to appear, the defendant is a seasoned world-traveler who has visited approximately 30 foreign countries. He currently holds a passport, which he told the interviewing Pretrial Services Officer was stolen, then told the Court it was misplaced. More tellingly, the defendant recently applied for a new passport. Moreover, the defendant has substantial financial resources that could be put toward travel; his estate is worth approximately $2.2 million. The defendant also lacks significant family ties in the area. He was an only child, and his parents are deceased. He reported to the Pretrial Services Officer that he is not close to any of his extended family members. He is retired and thus lacks steady employment.
Regarding potential danger to the community, the Court notes that evidence was presented that the defendant exposed himself to a two sixteen-year-old boys who worked on his farm, and that the defendant possessed photographs of unclothed young men from the area, who may not have been above the age of consent at the time the photos were taken. Furthermore, the defendant is known to possess a significant number of firearms.
Based on all the foregoing, the Court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is a risk of flight, and finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is a danger to the community.
The judge's order requires that Lewis be kept separate from other prisoners and those awaiting trial since those charged with sex crimes involving children are often targets of other prisoners.
The judge also said that the "weight of the evidence" against Lewis is "overwhelming."
Information from the affidavit describing Lewis' crimes can be found at this link.
Lewis' arraignment on charges of receiving child pornography and possessing child pornography is scheduled for March 12 in Springfield.
7 comments:
randy,
The 2.2 million in assets is way off. He has a lawyer to just handle his finances. A lot of his assets are hid from view. Also it is mentioned he retired from MSSU. The rumor in sarcoxie is that he was asked to leave.
This "Report" appears to be nothing but a mouthpiece for a smear campaign and a witch hunt. I find it curious that there is so much interest in Lewis' assets and his status as a Republican; perhaps, central themes to the real reason he is in this current situation. Shame on all of you for condemning Lewis based on rumors, gossip and hearsay.
My family and I have known John Lewis for over 30 years. He has always been a respectful, considerate, caring, kind "uncle" to my two sons. Both of my sons, which are now grown young men, have the highest regard, admiration and respect for him. We believe these allegations to be completely false. We believe that they are being perpetrated by the very law enforcement community that John Lewis had challenged based on their ethics violations.
This guy, Lewis, questioned the Sheriff's department about ethical violations and now, coincidentally, he's been arrested. He's 67 years old and a professor who has been around kids his whole life and never had any accusations before...never. If he was such a threat to society, why did law enforcement wait an entire year to arrest him after the alleged "crime of exposure"? Again, coincidentally, no real action was taken until after his mother passed away and the family land would presumably be in only his name. At 67 years, the man has been a military veteran, a professor, a board member, and a patriotic citizen. Don't try this man in the biased press ... give him his day in court.
He will get his day in court, which will be followed by a lifetime in prison with men far less tolerant of.child molesters. I hope you are as verbose in your apology to the true victims as you are in defending "uncle" John. When does the government ever move swiftly? His justice after conviction, will be carried out by his peers in prison.
By the way, Jasper County has a new Sheriff, are you accusing him? I believe "uncle" John was "up in arms" over the "truckers spa" that opened in Sarcoxie. Were the members there too old for him? We will see if he is guilty or not, but do not let him out to harm another. These victims are not liars. Testify as a character witness if you like, but don't expect others to believe it.
Archie did not know about mr lewis until after he was arrested. If you have read the indictment the sw task force on kiddie porn, which is headed by the fbi and the highway partrol did the investigation. mr lewis has no one to blame but himself.
Post a Comment