Former Newton Grove Police Chief Greg Warren, who stands accused of indecent liberties with a minor, peeping and possession of images from peeping, had his second appearance in Sampson County District Court Thursday morning. During that hearing, held to discuss bond options, prosecutors added additional charges related to drug trafficking and illegal firearms.
Wearing a bright orange jail jumpsuit and rubber sandals, the 50-year-old appeared before District Court Judge Morgan Swinson, who handed down a $500,000 secured bond for possession of a weapon of mass destruction and drug charges, as well as a $50,000 bond on the additional sex-related charges.
Prosecutors said during the hearing that Warren was in possession of an unregistered AR-15 rifle, as well as some opioids, both discovered when investigators searched Warren’s house following his arrest on the indecent liberties and peeping charges.
Warren is believed to have come into possession of the pills during his time as a police officer, assistant district attorney Donna Rainwater said in presenting the state’s case.
In total, 19 different items were seized from Warren’s house, all expected to be part of the state’s evidence in the case.
Judge Swinson told Warren he is to remain under house arrest, with no access to electronics and to have no contact with the victim or the victim’s family per their wishes.
If Warren’s family decides to stand the bond, defense attorney Paul Castle told the court, the defendant would live with his parents for the time being.
Upon setting up the bond, Swinson ensured that Warren’s parent’s house was a safe distance away from the victim’s house and any educational properties.
If Warren attempts to contact the victim without an attorney present or breaks any other conditions of the bond, the judge stressed that he will be “promptly arrested.”
Warren was taken into custody on Jan. 7 following a State Bureau of Investigation probe that led to his arrest on the initial seven charges that include taking indecent liberties with a minor, peeping and possessing images from peeping.
“Taking the pictures occurred over two different days,” noted SBI public information officer Chad Flowers in information released after Warren’s arrest. “That’s why he was charged with two counts. So he was charged with each instance of peeping and possessing the images.”
During his court appearance Thursday, the manner in which the photos were discovered was also discussed.
Rainwater told the court the victim found explicit photos of herself on an iPad, photos taken while she was sleeping. She showed her mother the photographs and, the assistant DA noted, the victim’s mother then confronted Warren about the matter.
At first, Warren, Rainwater said, denied the accusations and tried to get the victim’s mother not to report the incident to law enforcement. However, once the report was made and he was confronted by law enforcement, the assistant district attorney said he admitted to it and confessed to officers that he had an addiction to pornography, and that some of the photographs he viewed contained child sex abuse material.
According to Castle, Warren’s family is willing to help him receive mental health treatment targeted toward his addiction.
“He is willing to go to long-term mental heath programs aimed at treating his addictions and afflictions,” said Castle in arguing in favor of releasing him on a bond.
“Leaving him in jail is not in anyone’s best interest.”
Swinson said if Warren does decide to seek help, she will need to modify the bond.
It was also revealed in court that there were other occasions reported by the victim in which she is stated to have felt uncomfortable with Warren. In one such incident, Warren is reported to have touched her inappropriately while taking a picture together.
Despite this, the defense attorney stated that the victim and her mother had written a letter to the court asking the judge to give him a “fair bond.”
“By doing this, they are essentially saying we are not giving up on this family being reunited,” stressed Castle.
Warren was denied bond last Thursday by District Court Judge Robert Gilmore, with the investigation still in its early stages. For his reasoning, Gilmore cited concerns for the victim and the surrounding community.
“We’re not just talking about a possessions case,” said Gilmore. “This is about creating those images as well so it’s really a step above that. Because of that, I have serious concerns over the safety of the community and the victim.”
Warren is currently scheduled to reappear in court for a probable cause hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 27. He was still being held in the Sampson County Detention Center Friday morning.