Judge denies bail modification for Megan’s Law offender
District Judge Allen Sinclair denied a bail modification for a man accused of failing to register his address, a Megan’s Law requirement for convicted sexually violent predators.
Jerry Keith, 50, of Bellefonte, is being held at the Centre County Correctional Facility on $150,000 monetary bail.
On Wednesday, Keith waived his preliminary hearing. His defense attorney, Deborah Lux, requested the modification. Lux said Keith suffered a stroke several months ago and that she was concerned about her client being incarcerated given his health problems.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Lindsey Foster argued that Keith is a “risk to the community,” on the basis that he was previously convicted of multiple crimes involving a child.
“He’s already been deemed a sexually violent predator,” argued Foster. “This individual is facing 3-6 years for not registering as a sexually violent predator.”
Keith is charged with three felonies for failure to comply with registration of sexual offender requirements.
His case will now proceed to a pretrial conference and has been added to the August term of court. His formal arraignment is scheduled for May 4.
Jalelah Ahmed: 814-231-4631, @jalelahahmed
This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 1:01 PM with the headline "Judge denies bail modification for Megan’s Law offender."