Judge Denies Lower Bond For Accused Predator

The attorney for a man arrested in a police sting operation targeting internet predators argued unsuccessfully Wednesday that his client should have bonds totaling $350,000 reduced to levels consistent with others arrested under similar circumstances.

Paul Steele Getty, 37, of Midland City was arrested in April after he allegedly went to  Westgate Park with the intent to have sex with an underage teenage girl.  Instead, he was met by Dothan police officers who posed online as a fifteen year old.  Getty, according to previous testimony, was found in possession of alcoholic beverages and condoms at the time of his arrest.

Getty is one of several people arrested in past months by the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The law enforcement program is funded by the federal government.  Officers regularly use web sites such as Craig's List and Facebook in their search for online predators.

"All we're asking is (Getty) be treated the same (when it comes to bond amounts)," argued defense counsel Joey Sheffield. The attorney contends bonds involving other defendants arrested in similar sting operations have been slashed dramatically.  However, Circuit Judge Butch Binford denied the request leaving bonds at $200,000 on a charge of Electronic Solicitation of Sex and $150,000 on one count of possessing pornographic materials.

Getty, already indicted on the charges, will likely go on trial early next year.