A 54-year-old Augusta man who has a history of sexual assaults and stands accused of rape will remain in jail pending possible indictment and trial.
At the conclusion of a Richmond County Superior Court bond hearing Friday, June 3, Chief Judge Daniel J. Craig denied bond for Gerald Wayne Smith because he could posed a danger to the community.
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Assistant District Attorney Kevin Davis told the judge the victim had been staying with Smith for several days after losing her home when Smith sexually assaulted her the morning of May 14. Smith has a 25-year history of holding out a helping hand to women to prey on them, Davis said.
Smith was arrested three times for peeping Tom in the 1999s, Davis said. Charges of rape, kidnapping and sodomy were reduced to false imprisonment in 2003, as were rape charges in 2008.
Defense attorney Savannah Moody said Smith maintains there was no force involved in what happened with the alleged victim last month. Smith is a native of Augusta, a father of two who supports his children, and he was working two jobs, she said.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
