Bond was denied for a Jones County man recently indicted for multiple charges, including child molestation, incest and cruelty to children.
Michael Scott Dorough was in Jones County Superior Court June 16 seeking a bond. He was represented by defense attorney Floyd Buford.
District Attorney Wright Barksdale spoke for the state, and Superior Court Judge Stephen Bradley presided over the hearing.
Barksdale began by stating the facts of the state’s case. He said Dorough was arrested on warrants March 17 while he was a sergeant with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
The DA said Dorough abused two children who were living in the same house.
“One of those children became pregnant. The child was born, and it is his child,” he said.
Bradley asked how long ago that had been.
Barksdale said the abuse took place was over a decade. He said the current ages of the victims are 20 and 16, and they were his stepchildren.
The prosecutor said after the pregnancy, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office received a tip, and when the victim was interviewed by a JCSO investigator, she was not truthful. Barksdale said after the child was born, more tips were received.
That next interview with the JCSO investigator was different. The victim said the reason for her previous statements was her mother and stepfather had convinced her she would be arrested if she told the truth.
Both Michael Dorough and his wife Ashley were charged with influencing witnesses.
When it was time for the defense to speak, Buford requested a reasonable bond for his client. He said Michael is 45 and worked as a law enforcement officer for 18 years.
“He had a good work record and denies all the allegations,” he said.
Buford said there were all kinds of inconsistences in the case and delays in reporting. He said a trial will be necessary.
“I believe he is a good candidate for bond,” he said.
The attorney said Dorough is no threat to influence witnesses or flee.
“He respects the court; he worked for the court,” he said.
Buford called the defendant’s twin brother Jonathan Dorough to be a witness. Before any questions were asked of the witness, Barksdale asked for Jonathan to be read his rights that included his right not to incriminate himself.
The brother testified that Michael could live with him if he was granted bond, and he would actually post the bond. The witness went on to say he had even arranged employment for Michael.
The witness was asked if his brother was a good candidate for bond, and Jonathan said yes. He was asked if Michael would report to court and stay away from witnesses.
“I would make sure of that,” he said.
A 2024 arrest of the defendant for a domestic charge was brought up at the hearing. Buford said that charge was resolved with a pre-trial diversion after the victim declined to press charges.
Barksdale asked the witness if his brother had lived with him and if he knew the victims in the case. The witness said yes, and he knew who the children were. The prosecutor asked if the witness was aware of the relationship of his brother and his stepdaughter, and the answer to that was no.
The witness denied asking his brother to leave but did say he told him the stepdaughter could not live there.
“If I knew what was going on, I would have said something,” he said.
The prosecutor asked if the witness was aware the stepdaughter’s baby belonged to his brother, and he said yes.
Closings
Barksdale told the court that when Dorough was arrested, it took several officers to get him under control. He said the defendant also made statements about self-harm and threatened to burn his house down.
“I believe these charges are serious, and the defendant would be a threat to try to influence witnesses. He would be a danger to himself and to others,” he said. “We are willing to have a speedy trial and could set it in September.”
The prosecutor said he would make sure the defense attorney has everything he needs for the defense.
“Michael Dorough is a danger to the community and people involved in the case,” he said.
Buford said his client has never been convicted of anything, and the state’s issues with the defendant can be resolved. “He can stay with his brother and be banned from the Ocmulgee Circuit. He cannot be allowed to contact witnesses,” the attorney said. “I think he has earned that by not having a criminal history.”
Bradley denied bond for the reasons of the defendant posing a significant risk to witnesses and himself.
The judge asked the defense attorney if he would seek a speedy trial, and Buford said yes.
Dorough’s arraignment on his charges is set for July 9.
