Bond was denied Tuesday, March 8 for a man with a history of violating court orders intended to protect his ex-wife and son.
Judge J. Wade Padgett decided to deny bond after hearing from both sides in Columbia County Superior Court about Richard Heslen, 55, who was recently indicted on yet another count of violation of a family protective order as well as influencing a witness and making false statements.
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Heslen was indicted last month on the new charges. Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Andy Pascual told the judge that Heslen was previously found in violation of temporary orders of protection three times, and that he was found unfit for custody or visitation with his child. The final divorce order in his case prohibited any contact with either his ex-wife or child, and he was ordered to stay 1,000 yards away from their home, school and job sites.
On Sept. 30, 2020, the principal at the child’s school called the sheriff’s office after Heslen showed up insisting on speaking with the child and repossessing a vehicle he had given the child, Pascual said. He denied knowing of the court order when confronted by the sheriff’s deputy.
On Sept. 8, 2021, a telephone between Heslen and the child was recorded. Heslen called the child to talk about court proceedings, saying the court order was invalid and instructing the child not to tell anyone that they were communicating, Pascual said Tuesday.
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Heslen has been arrested 24 times since 1984, including for theft of nearly $70,000 in 2007, Pascual said. Heslen also owes tens of thousands of dollars in child support, the prosecutor said.
Defense attorney Stephen Katz asked the judge to consider bond for Heslen, adding any conditions that might assure him that Heslen would pose no danger. While Heslen is under a court order to stay away from his ex-wife and child, they often reach out to him when they want something, Katz said. The incident at the school involved Heslen taking back the vehicle he bought for his child as punishment for vaping, Katz said.
Padgett denied bond, finding Heslen posed a possible risk of intimidating witnesses and otherwise obstructing justice.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
