A defendant arrested last month on several child molestation charges was denied bond in Jones County Superior Court.
Kirby Vincent Moore, 55, was arrested Feb. 25 and charged with aggravated sodomy, two counts of child molestation and two additional counts of aggravated child molestation. He was in court March 6 seeking a bond, represented by defense attorney Travis Griffin.
Moore’s arrest was the result of a complaint received by the Jones County Sheriff’s Office Feb. 17 for incidents that reportedly began in January of 2016.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore, and Superior Court Judge Alison Burleson presided over the bond hearing.
Griffin told the court Moore lives in Jones County with his wife and children, and the alleged victim currently resides elsewhere. He said his client was previously employed by the Bibb County Maintenance Department, but he has been terminated from the job.
The attorney said Moore has no criminal history but was indicted in Crawford County in 2020 for another child molestation case. He said the case was dismissed due to case flaws and lack of credibility.
Fiore stated that the molestation was disclosed to a family member, and the victim was taken to the Crescent House and interviewed. The complainant was not a family member but had a close, long-term relationship with the family.
The prosecutor said the victim told a friend that the molestation had be going on for years. She said since the complainant spoke up, other possible victims have been revealed. She said one of the suspected victims died by suicide.
Fiore noted for the court that Moore’s wife is adamant that nothing happened.
“The state believes the defendant is a risk to try to influence witnesses, a risk to the other victims and to the community,” she said.
The prosecutor said suspected evidence has been found on the defendant’s phone, and he does have history of misdemeanors. She said based on the allegations and more charges, the state asked bond be denied.
Griffin said Moore has a history of showing up for court, and there were ways to alleviate the state’s fears.
Burleson said, based on what she heard, she does not feel Moore is a risk of flight.
“I do find he is a risk to the community and a risk to commit new crimes,” she concluded. “Bond denied.”
