Ten bail bonding companies in Rutherford County are asking the local courts to change their mind in considering the reimbursement of a $1 million bond that was forfeited in a case against a sex offender. The bond money comes from a case that unfolded several years ago where the defendant skipped town and avoided law enforcement for about two years.

The subject who left town was Stephen Eugene Beck who was originally indicted on three counts of "Rape of a Child" in 2010 in Rutherford County. He was indicted that same year in Wilson County on nine counts of Rape of a Child, 16 counts of Rape, and 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The man was later released on what is called an appearance bond of $1 million. Ten bail bond companies agreed to take responsibility of his jail release and each posted partial bonds in amounts ranging from $50,000 to $300,000. When Beck's court date rolled around in 2011, he failed to make an appearance at his trial.

In 2012 the bonding companies were granted an extension to find Beck, but were unable to locate him. The trial courts later retired Beck's bond case in Rutherford County and entered a final judgement for the bonding companies to forfeit the sizable amount of money that was secured to ensure that he would show up for court.

In 2014 Beck was located by the TBI. He was hiding out in North Carolina. In 2015, the bonding companies asked for the forfeited bond money back. The request was officially denied in court. The bonding companies later filed an appeal, which was just recently turned down on March 29, 2016.

Another case is pending in Wilson County where the bondsman are asking for their funds to be returned.

As for the suspect accused of raping a child... Beck was convicted of rape and is in prison at the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex. The convict is not eligible for parole and will be released in year 2051 when he is 80 years old.

Source:

No. M2015-00801-CCA-R3-CD - Filed March 29, 2016