Coach in sex probe given bond

Judge orders former teacher to wear monitoring device

Joe Perry / The Item Attorney John Keffer represents Edward Antonio “Tony” Hubbard at a bond hearing Friday at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

By JOE PERRY
Item Senior Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

A 33-year-old former Lakewood High School teacher and coach facing three charges involving improprieties with a 16-year-old female student was given a $100,000 surety bond Friday afternoon at Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.

Edward Antonio "Tony" Hubbard, of 4660 Peach Orchard Road, was charged Friday morning with criminal sexual conduct with a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and disseminating obscene materials, according to a press release from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office.

Between Oct. 23, 2008, and June 28, Hubbard engaged in sexual conduct with the student — she was reportedly 15 when it started — allowed her to view pornographic materials and gave her shots of blueberry vodka at his home, according to officials.

Magistrate Judge Keith Griffin told Hubbard and his attorney, John Keffer of Young, Reiter, Keffer & Donnald, that the 16-year-old's family did not want to appear in court due to the publicity. Griffin also read the warrants after Keffer told him he was only recently made aware of the charges. Griffin said Hubbard allegedly allowed the 16-year-old to spend the night at his home, provided alcohol for her, and had sexual intercourse with her at his home as well as at an unspecified address in Cains Point subdivision. Hubbard also allegedly watched a pornographic DVD with her at his home, Griffin said.

Sgt. Melissa Addison told Griffin that the sheriff's office position was to request bond be denied, as Hubbard was a flight risk and a threat to the community. She also said there is the possibility of other accusers coming forward, noting that he had been teaching in the community when the alleged crimes took place, and as a teacher, is held to a higher standard.

"We're just of the belief that he has certainly breached that trust, if not altogether destroyed it," Addison said, adding a request that Hubbard not be allowed to contact the 16-year-old or her family whatsoever.

Joe Perry / The Item Magistrate Judge Keith Griffin gave Hubbard a $100,000 surety bond Friday afternoon.

Griffin then read a letter from Murrell Smith of Lee, Erter, Wilson, Holler, Smith & McIver, who is representing the alleged victim's family. Smith's letter indicated the family opposed any bond given to Hubbard.

"They feel he is a danger to society, and more importantly, to the victim," Griffin said, reading the letter. "He used his position of authority to manipulate the fragile emotions of a 15- and now 16-year-old child."

Smith's letter also said that Hubbard, via text messages, made promises to the 16-year-old to induce her into a relationship and also made promises of running away.

"The family is extremely concerned he will continue to lure the victim away from her family," Griffin said, still reading the letter, which characterized the girl as "fragile and confused."

The letter also requested a restraining order be put in place and Hubbard not have any contact with the 16-year-old or her family.

"Mr. Hubbard has been attempting to do that as late as yesterday," Griffin said, from the letter.

Keffer told Griffin that he wasn't in court to argue the facts of the case.

"We're hearing facts that are different from law enforcement than what's been presented by the family's attorney," Keffer said. "We're talking about text messages; we're talking about cell phone records."

Keffer explained that his client has been a member of the community for more than a decade.

"He's been a teacher, he's been a coach, he's been a driver's ed (education) instructor. He's been a physical education instructor," he said, opining that the warrants were "very vague as to when these events took place," with no single specific date mentioned.

"Taken as a whole, I think these allegations against Mr. Hubbard at this time are extremely vague," Keffer said.

Keffer, while asking for a reasonable personal recognizance or surety bond, pointed out that Hubbard owns his home in Dalzell, is not a flight risk and has no prior record.

"So Mr. Hubbard can get out, go on with his life and contribute to the defense of these allegations," he said.

Griffin told the court the allegations against Hubbard are very serious and involve improper contact between an adult and a minor.

"Certainly those are under a heightened sense of scrutiny from law enforcement's concern," Griffin said, telling the court that he thought bond was appropriate, "But I think a high bond is appropriate."

As conditions of Hubbard's bond, the former teacher must not have any contact with the girl or her family, in any way, shape or form. Griffin also ordered Hubbard be fitted with an electronic monitoring device, "Until this matter is disposed of."

Hubbard, a heavyset and stocky man, was dressed in dark green jail scrubs and said nothing during the hearing. His mother was present and also remained silent.

After the hearing, she declined to comment.

Hubbard is slated to have a first appearance in General Sesssions court on Jan. 4.



Contact Senior Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.