Weatherman Denied Bond, Must Sit in Jail
/Back in October, FTVLive told you that cops busted WJBF (Augusta) Meteorologist Kevin Niewood, after they say he traded explicit photos with a 13-year-old girl.
According to warrants, Niewood got the 13-year-old girl to send him a photo or video of her breasts and vagina over the Internet. In addition, he sent her a photo of his penis.
Yesterday, the Weatherman was denied bond in the case.
Niewood has been in jail and held without bond since his arrest in October. Richmond County Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard Jr. denied Niewood release on bond, finding he could pose a danger to children.
Assistant District Attorney Audrey Lewis opposed bond for Niewood who is alleged to have had sexual explicated communications with three teens. Lewis said Niewood sought the girls out through social media sites for teens. He gave then graphic descriptions of the photographs he wanted them to send to him, Lewis said.
Defense attorney Keith Johnson asked the judge to consider Niewood for bond, citing his lack of criminal history and strong family support. Niewood’s father, an attorney in his home state of Florida, flew up to attend Thursday’s hearing and was prepared to post a bond as high as $100,000, Johnson said.
He said Niewood posed no danger to the community or to intimidation of the potential witnesses, whom his client never attempted to meet in person.
Niewood has pleaded not guilty to four counts of solicitation for sexual conduct with a child, three counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of electronically furnishing obscene material to minors.
Niewood worked as a meteorologist for WJBF and was fired by the station after his arrest.
