Bond not lowered for suspect in Lake in the Hills pimping case

A Lake in the Hills man accused of luring a 14-year-old girl from Kansas and putting her to work as a prostitute will remain behind bars after a McHenry County judge Friday denied his request for a bond reduction.

Saying he agreed with a prosecutor's contention Donald R. Jones is a serious flight risk if let free, Judge Joseph Condon refused to lower the 52-year-old man's bond from its current $250,000 to $170,000.

The ruling came after Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Philip Hiscock detailed allegations that Jones, of the 3500 block of Sonoma Circle, drove to Wichita, Kan., on Dec. 30 to pick up the girl he initially communicated with over an online social networking site.

On the drive back to Lake in the Hills, Hiscock said, Jones stopped at a Missouri motel and had sex with the girl. It does not appear Jones has been charged for that, he said.

Once in Lake in the Hills, Hiscock said, Jones took photographs of the girl and posted them in an online advertisement for escort services. A short time later, he said, co-defendant Antwanette Atkins took the girl to have sex with two men who paid the teen money she later turned over to Jones.

When Lake in the Hills police investigating the claims this month searched Jones' home, Hiscock said, they discovered advertising for escort services and what appeared to be an account ledger for prostitution.

Jones faces charges of involuntary servitude of a minor and juvenile pimping. If convicted, he would face a mandatory six- to 30-year prison term.

"Because this is a non-probationable felony, there is high incentive to flee the jurisdiction," Hiscock said.

Jones attorney Dan Taylor said a $170,000 bond - meaning Jones would have to put up $17,000 to go free while awaiting trial - would be plenty to keep him in the area.

"He has a loving and supporting family that is going to be behind him as he mounts a defense to these charges," Taylor said.

Both Jones' co-defendants remain in custody as well. Atkins, 42, of the 3500 block of Sonoma Circle, is being held in the McHenry County jail on a $200,000 bound pending her next court appearance, scheduled to Feb. 16. Kari D. Knox, 36, of the same address, is in state prison on an unrelated felony prostitution charge.