Two of three charges against a 15-year-old accused of molesting a 7-year-old family friend require the teen to be tried as an adult, said Ogeechee Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Kathy Bradley.
    A bond hearing/preliminary hearing is slated for Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. in the Bulloch County Superior Court for Gregory Robinson Nesmith Jr., 15, Kennedy Pond Roach, charged with aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and enticing a child for indecent purposes, said Ogeechee Judicial circuit Assistant District Attorney Michael Muldrew, who is prosecuting the case.
    Nesmith is being held in Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center due to his age, regardless of the charges. Bradley said there are seven crimes that, should an offender be 13 or older, require the court system to try the offender as an adult.  These are murder, voluntary manslaughter, rape, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and armed robbery with a firearm, she said. These crimes are casually known as the “Seven Deadly Sins.”
    In some cases, a motion to a Superior Court Judge from either the defense attorney or the DA’s office (prosecution) could request the trial be moved to juvenile court, she said. However, the charges of aggravated child molestation, murder, aggravated sodomy and armed robbery are charges that cannot be transferred to juvenile court. Bradley made reference to legislature from Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C. G. A.) 15-11-28B2A  and 15-11-28B2B.
    Nesmith is identified because he is charged as an adult for the crimes.  He is not held in the Bulloch County Jail, however, because of his juvenile status.
    After Nesmith’s arrest, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Chief Inv. Capt. Todd Hutchens said families of both the alleged offender and the victim are friends, and all parties are willingly cooperating with investigations.
    The incident, which took place during “the latter part of July,” occurred at the victim’s home, he said.
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (912) 489-9414.