Update: Judge sets Gainous’ bond; new details emerge

Published 4:00 pm Friday, August 22, 2014

Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin escorts former TRM band teacher Jeffery Lance Ganious into court Friday for a bond hearing.

Brewton Police Chief Monte McGougin escorts former TRM band teacher Jeffery Lance Ganious into court Friday for a bond hearing.

 

The former T.R. Miller band director arrested Wednesday for an inappropriate sexual relationship with at least one student is facing 11 new charges and a $350,000 bond.

But the case is far from over, Assistant District Attorney Todd Sterns informed the court Friday.

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Sgt. Patrick Caylor of the Brewton Police Department said 32-year-old Jeffery Lance Gainous is now charged with four counts of school employee having sexual contact with a student under 19; three ethics violations since the school property was used during the alleged crimes; one count of sexual abuse I; two counts of sexual abuse II and one count of unlawful imprisonment II.

Gainous, or “Mr. G.” as he was known to students, is accused of having sexting conversations with at least six victims, as well as using ropes, gags and other  bondage devices on two teenage girls with whom he is alleged to have had sex. Incidents reportedly occurred inside the school band room and at Gainous’ former home in Brewton.

Gainous left TRM after six years to head the band program at Thomas County, Ga., Central High School in June.

Friday, Circuit Judge Jeff White set Gainous’ bond at $350,000 – a figure almost at the mid-range of the $20,000 requested by the defense and the $1 million requested by the state.

Gainous entered the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit and shackles, clutching a note. He did not get an opportunity to address the court, other than to answer Rice’s questions.

As part of his bond conditions, Gainous is allowed to return to his parents’ home in Cairo, Ga. He is to have no contact with his victims or minor children other than his two own.

Gainous was represented by J. Clark Stankausky of Fairhope.

During the hearing, Stern told Rice that the state plans to present five additional felonies and five additional misdemeanor charges against Gainous.