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Prosecutors Upset With Plant City Molestation Suspect's Bail Amount

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

PLANT CITY - Prosecutors are upset that a judge set bail at $5,000 for a Plant City man facing child molestation charges.

Ronald Andrew Hancock, 44, of 1001 Sandalwood Drive, was released from Orient Road Jail today after posting bail. Prosecutors argued at a hearing on Tuesday that Hancock's total bail should be set at $115,000.

"I'm not happy," Assistant State Attorney Anthony Duran said. "I'm pretty upset with the bond being reduced."

Duran said Hancock not having a prior arrest record may have been a factor in Circuit Judge J. Rodger Padgett's decision to set the lower the bail amount. Hancock had been held without bail. No special conditions were set regarding Hancock's release, Duran said.

The public defender's office had no qualms about Padgett's ruling.

"In this particular case, the judge did the right thing," Assistant Public Defender John Skye said. "That's what judges are for."

Padgett could not be reached for comment, but a representative at his office said the judge would not comment on pending cases.

Hancock was arrested on June 25 after a month-long investigation by the Plant City Police Department. Detectives were questioning Hancock on an unrelated incident when his involvement with the victim was discovered, Plant City police Sgt. Jim Shultz said in June.

The investigation led to charges against Hancock involving a victim "he is no longer in contact with," Shultz said.

Hancock's charges include sexual battery, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, use of a child in a sexual performance and lewd and lascivious battery. Hancock's next court date has not yet been set.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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