Georgia Man Held on $300,000 Bond for Child Sex Crimes

26 year-old Georgia native Jonathan Shane Abernathy is in the Missoula County Jail on $300,000 bond. Deputy Missoula County Attorney Shaun Donovan says Abernathy was picked up on a fugitive warrant from Georgia by Missoula County Sheriff's deputies in May, and has been in the jail ever since. Donovan says Abernathy is wanted for sex crimes against children, and is a registered sex offender in Georgia.

Donovan says Abernathy has refused to appear in court, so Thursday morning, Judge John Larson and Abernathy's defense attorney went to the jail to serve the papers stating that Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer had granted extradition to send Abernathy back to Georgia to face charges. Abernathy is also wanted for a probation violation.