Loggins denied bail reduction

PALMER — Courtroom No. 8 with six rows of seats filled quickly on Wednesday, leaving many having to stand to attend Seth Loggins’ arraignment and bail hearing in Palmer. Loggins is accused of sexually assaulting eight boys and girls, ages ranging from 4 to 14.

“Mr. Loggins, is by far, the most prolific case of sexual abuse I’ve ever seen,” said assistant district attorney Brittany Dunlop.

Loggins was arrested on April 18 after an investigation by the Child Abuse Investigation Unit. Adding more victims to his original indictment, Loggins is now facing felony charges that include 16 counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree, and eight counts of harassment.

Dunlop said that she suspects even more victims are out there. If convicted, Loggins could serve over 100 years in prison.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where Loggins ever leaves prison,” Dunlop said.

Loggins’ attorney, Jeff Bradley asked to reduce his client’s bail from $250,000 to $100,000 cash corporate, meaning that Loggins could be released by posting 10 percent through a bail bondsman, and $15,000 cash.

“The amount asked by the defense is inadequate to ensure the safety of the public,” Dunlop said.

The idea of Loggins back on the streets did not sit well with the angry room of families related to the victims he’s accused of molesting. Several people got to the podium to express their horrors and why Loggins’ bail should not be reduced.

A grandfather of one of the alleged victims approached the stand. As he talked, his voice cracked and escalated as he spoke.

“Look at these people,” he said, gesturing behind him. “If you release this man, my children will not sleep at night.”

Other families started to sniffle and groan behind him as he continued the painstaking points of Loggins’ alleged atrocities against his grandson and other children.

“That man penetrated children!”

In the grandfather’s mind, Loggins “committed murder.”

“These children have to live with this for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Loggins is accused of several incidents dating back to 2012. Loggins knew many people in the community through church. He was close to several families through his church. He was seen as a “positive male role model” before anyone had any idea what allegedly was lurking beneath.

“He took advantage of his church!” the grandfather said.

Loggins would often take his friends’ children out on trips to places like the Extreme Fun Center or Dairy Queen, where he allegedly choked a boy until he passed out while another boy was present. He said Loggins’ alleged actions have compromised some of the church member’s entire faith.

“He’s screwed a lot of people in believing in church,” the grandfather said. “He can’t look at me because he’s guilty! He’s done wrong!”

A mother of one alleged victim took to the stand and said that going through the damage dealt and speaking in court was very difficult since Loggins was “like family.”

“Now my kid doesn’t want to go to church. I may not believe in God anymore,” she said.

She said that her child has been experiencing a range of ailments, from depressive behavior, lack of appetite and acting out. She was worried how deep the damage was.

“You can’t put a price on that- my child’s innocence,” she said.

Palmer Superior Court Judge Kari Kristiansen gave ample time for multiple statements, softly saying to each person, “what would you like me to know?”

“Seth is a predator,” one mother said when she got to the podium.

She said that releasing Loggins would not only be a danger to the existing victims and potential victims, but would also endanger Loggins.

“This is a small town. Every mom is holding back the dad so they don’t do something stupid,” she said.

One parent called in during the hearing. She said that she heard “horrific things from her 11-year old son regarding Loggins’ alleged actions.

“It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. It’s unimaginable for children,” she said.

Dunlop said that Loggins was an “absolute flight risk” if released on bail. In the new bail system, Loggins scored relatively low due to no prior criminal history but due to the severity of the crimes he’s accused of, he placed higher.

At one point, Loggins was a school bus driver and is said to have multiple complaints regarding his behavior with children. Loggins was known to carry weapons and threatened children with guns and knives, Dunlop said.

Palmer Superior Court Judge Kari Kristiansen denied the motion for lower bail and kept it at the current amount: $250,000 cash and $50,000 cash corporate. She said the amount was appropriate and due to the sheer number of victims and nature of the case, it was something to take seriously.

“It’s of a nature I don’t think I’ve ever come across,” Kristiansen said.

Palmer Superior Court Judge Gregory Heath will take the case from here. Loggins pre-trial conference is scheduled for June 15, 2018 at 9 a.m. and his trial is expected to be on July 2, 2018 at 8:30 a.m. but Kristiansen said that could change depending on either of the attorney’s schedules.