A State District Court Judge on Tuesday reduced the bond for James Holland, 39, from $2 million to $1 million. Holland was arrested on March 10 for continuous sexual abuse of a child.
His attorney argued last week in a court hearing that the bond was excessive and effectively a denial of bond in violation of Holland’s constitutional rights.
Both Holland’s attorney and the Lubbock County Criminal District Attorney’s Office presented information. The D.A. was arguing that bond should not be reduced.
Judge Trey McClendon indicated last week that some conditions of bond might be an ankle bracelet, no contact with children under the age of 17, a curfew, and a requirement to attend pre-trial services.
The no contact order was for a minimum of 1,500 feet. The curfew was set from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Also, Holland will be tested for drugs once a week.
Holland was not indicted for murder as of Tuesday afternoon, but previous court documents indicated he was under investigation after his step-daughter, Holli Jeffcoat, 18, was found murdered on February 10 in a Northeast Lubbock County home.
Jeffcoat was described in court records as a special needs student with the mind of child.
According to court records, Jeffcoat told officials at Lorenzo High School on January 29 that Holland sexually abused her and impregnated her. Holland has not been officially charged with any sexual abuse of Jeffcoat. Instead, he was charged with sexually abusing an underage girl related to Jeffcoat.
Holland’s wife, Debi Holland, was indicted and arrested for continuous sexual abuse. She was not accused of committing the abuse but instead she was accused of facilitating Holland.
