Lovell
A former Jonesville man charged with rape and promoting human sexual trafficking asked a judge in Columbus for a big favor Thursday.
Christopher S. Lovell wanted his bond of $450,000 surety or $45,000 cash reduced to what he claims is the most he can afford: $200.
In response, a retired Morgan County judge sitting in for Bartholomew Circuit Judge Kelly Benjamin ended the hearing by denying the request. Special Judge Jane Craney made her decision almost immediately and with little comment.
Lovell, 41, is one of two men accused of forcing a low-functioning woman into having sex with them, as well as for repeatedly bringing the same woman to the home of a 65-year-old Salem resident for his sexual gratification. Investigators say Jon Arnold paid about $600 a month to Lovell and 37-year-old Brandon A. Jacobs of Jonesville.
A 27-year-old woman, Christina L. Moffatt of Seymour, is facing the same charges as the men: Level 4 felony promotion of human sexual trafficking and Level 3 felony rape when the victim is mentally disabled or deficient. Investigators said the victim, who lived with Jacobs, Lovell and Moffatt for a time, has cognitive abilities comparable to a toddler, which renders her incapable of consenting to a sexual relationship.
The birth of the woman’s child in July eventually prompted an investigation that led to the felony charges against the four defendants.
During the bond reduction hearing, Judge Craney gave plenty of time for the prosecution and defense to make their arguments. Lovell began by claiming to be suffering from several physical and mental illnesses that force him to live on disability. He said he has been unable to find mental health treatment in five years, but also needs to assist his ailing mother in Indianapolis.
Lovell went on to blame local newspaper coverage for causing him to live in fear of other jail inmates, as well as claim that he has only committed minor traffic infractions in this region.
In response, chief deputy prosecutor Kimberly Sexton-Yeager reminded Lovell he’s facing a separate case alleging domestic battery with bodily injury to a pregnant woman. The victim is the same mentally-deficient woman, and a conviction on the Level 5 felony is punishable by up to six years in prison.
Sexton-Yeager brought up other instances of alleged wrongdoing, including some court cases from Colorado where Lovell resided for a short time.
The defendant tried to provide explanations that he hoped would lower his level of responsibility, but the chief deputy prosecutor dismissed his responses as nothing more than “a bunch of excuses”.
Lovell also said that if released on bond, he would be staying with his girlfriend in a Seymour apartment they obtained just a few months ago. Sexton-Yeager reminded the court he is referring to Moffatt, who faces the same charges and high bond amount as her boyfriend.
Although Arnold was the only defendant able to pay the $45,000 cash bond, Washington County prosecutors formally charged him last week with 12 counts of rape and one count of human trafficking. If convicted on all those charges, it’s likely Arnold will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Sheriff’s investigators said the victim is now under the care of a guardian and the baby is also being cared for in a safe situation.
