A County councilman accused of sex crimes against minors will be allowed to leave jail while he awaits trial, but he can’t come back to Bamberg County for 90 days. Circuit Judge Clifton Newman set Kerry Trent Kinard’s bond at $75,000 cash or surety during a hearing. He also stipulated that Kinard must be placed on GPS monitoring, have no contact with the victims in the case and stay out of Bamberg County for 90 days – with the exception of court hearings.
Once Kinard posts bail, he’ll live with his brother in Richland County. Newman urged Kinard’s attorney, Bakari Sellers, to explain to Kinard that his leash is very short and any violations will be handled in court. Mr. Kinard is facing the charges of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, attempted criminal sexual conduct with a minor, 1st-degree assault and battery, and wo counts each of both criminal solicitation of a minor and dissemination of obscene material.
The Judge previously requested that Kinard undergo a mental health evaluation. The evaluation’s findings were discussed during bond hearing. Sellers told the court that the independent psychiatrist who performed the evaluation determined that Kinard is not a danger to the community or himself. Miller said Kinard self-reported that he didn’t have a substance abuse problem and that he didn’t have any suicidal ideations. Kinard has been held at the Bamberg County Detention Center for the past 32 days.
Miller alleges Kinard engaged in an altercation with another inmate during his time in jail. Miller claimed the inmate became upset and walked away from Kinard, but Kinard followed him. The inmate managed to get a lid from a round cooler and held it up, Miller said. Kinard allegedly “bowed up” and grabbed the inmate by the neck.
Jailers had to separate them. Miller said the incident was captured on video. Sellers said he hasn’t watched the video yet, but he said it’s clear the inmate came at Kinard first.Miller said he has statements from several employees at the detention center who alleged that Kinard threatened their jobs.
Sellers said if Kinard is granted bond, he would be allowed to get the proper medical care and medication he needs.An order of protection hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Bamberg. Gov. Henry McMaster cannot suspend Kinard from Bamberg County Council unless he is indicted by a grand jury, which has not happened.
