Across the Area

Bond denied in molestation case

A man and woman accused of child molestation were denied bond Friday.

James P. Collins Jr., 35, and Allison Cansler, 31, were arrested Nov. 3 on a charge of aggravated child molestation. An Augusta woman told Richmond County sheriff's investigators that her 9-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter told her Mr. Collins and Ms. Cansler molested them for several weeks while the suspects were staying at the family's home.

The two have no prior felony convictions and deny the allegations.

Teacher facing federal charges put on leave

An Aiken County teacher has been placed on administrative leave after being arraigned on federal embezzlement charges, according to school district officials.

Gail Moody Johnson, 53, of Aiken, was one of 10 people charged Nov. 4 in the investigation of state Department of Social Services Finance Director Paul Timothy Moore. Mr. Moore was indicted in February on charges that he issued more than $5 million in checks to co-conspirators from 2004 to 2008. More than 50 people have been charged in the case.

Those issued checks would receive half the funds in exchange for cashing them, according to a release from U.S. Attorney W. Walter Wilkins. Mr. Moore, who pleaded guilty Oct. 29, is awaiting sentencing.

Hoover Johnson Jr., 49, of Aiken, was also among those charged.

Ms. Johnson was placed on administrative leave Nov. 6 from her position as girls' varsity basketball coach at Ridge Spring-Monetta High, according to Cecelia Davidson, Aiken County's associate superintendent of administration.

Discrimination suit's lawyers get extension

A federal judge has granted another extension to lawyers involved in Teresa Smith's job-discrimination lawsuit against the city of Augusta.

Ms. Smith's attorney petitioned Senior U.S. District Court Judge Anthony A. Alaimo for an extension because settlement negotiations continue. An offer is expected to go to Augusta commissioners within 20 days, according to court documents. The judge signed an order Thursday giving the parties until Dec. 8.

Ms. Smith was the head of the engineering department until a majority of commissioners voted to fire her in 2005. She filed suit in 2007, alleging her termination was racially motivated.

Autopsy shows man was beaten to death

An autopsy revealed a Warrenville man found dead Friday was beaten to death.

John Barrs, 68, died of a severe head injury from an unknown weapon, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said in a news release.

Mr. Barrs' caretaker found him dead at his home on Spring Wood Loop about 8:30 a.m., county sheriff's Sgt. Dave Myers said. He had been dead since about 8 p.m. Thursday, Mr. Carlton said.

School emptied after man phones in threat

W.S. Hornsby Elementary School was evacuated Friday morning after a man called Richmond County schools' public safety office and threatened to blow up the school.

County sheriff's deputies responded about 9 a.m. and checked the school with the district's public safety officers and the principal.

No suspicious items were found, according to an incident report. After the building was cleared, students and staff were allowed to return.

Man hurt in blast gets five years' probation

A Martinez man injured in a small blast at his home in January was sentenced to probation Friday for manufacturing an explosive device.

Chad Wells, 38, of the 300 block of Salley Drive, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years' probation under the First Offender Act. Superior Court Judge James G. Blanchard also ordered him to pay a $750 fine and not to possess any item that could be used to make explosives.

Police went to Mr. Wells' home Jan. 17, a few days after he lost some fingers in a small explosion. Triacetone triperoxide, which has been used in several terrorist operations, was found with other explosive materials.

2 men sought in series of Aiken burglaries

Aiken County authorities are searching for two men wanted in a string of burglaries.

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office holds warrants for Kelvin Addison, 24, of the 100 block of Kellogg Drive, Aiken, on charges of grand larceny and first- and second-degree burglary, Sgt. Dave Myers said in a news release. Marquis Cummings, 26, of the 1900 block of Seaborn Drive, North Augusta, is wanted on charges of first-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree burglary and kidnapping.

Investigators suspect Mr. Addison burglarized two North Augusta homes in September, taking a pistol from one. Mr. Cummings is suspected of burglarizing three homes between January and November, and in two cases held residents at gunpoint, Sgt. Myers said. Jewelry, electronics and a vehicle were stolen.

Anyone with information can call the sheriff's office at (800) 922-9709 or Crime Stoppers of the Midlands at (888) CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous and will be eligible for a reward of between $50 and $1,000.

Suspect in August shooting is arrested

Aiken officers have arrested a suspect in an August shooting.

The Aiken Department of Public Safety and the Aiken County Sheriff's Office arrested Ernest Sherrod Croft, 19, in the Shiloh Heights area about 5 p.m. Thursday, public safety Capt. Wendell Hall said. Mr. Croft is charged with assault with intent to kill over a shooting at Crosland Park in Aiken.

Father tells officers he has missing boy

A 10-year-old North Augusta boy who went missing Thursday was found Friday morning with his biological father.

Tyson Avery Curry left his home on Summit Commons Court on his bicycle about 4:15 p.m. Thursday. About two hours later, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety was notified the boy was missing, sparking a search.

Public safety Lt. Tim Pearson said Tyson was found at about 6:50 a.m. at North Augusta Gardens Apartments on Hugh Street. He said the father notified authorities that Tyson was with him.