CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – A former Horry County Police detective accused of sexual misconduct and forcing women to fight nude had restrictions of his bond changed Tuesday afternoon.
Allen Large, a former detective who worked for the Horry County Police Department for more than 25 years, was indicted in September 2016 on six counts of misconduct in office and five counts of criminal sexual conduct third degree. The indictments allege that Large knowingly used coercion to engage in sexual battery with multiple victims and knowingly engaged in inappropriate relationships with victims of cases he was investigating.
After Large’s original court date of Sept. 18 was postponed, no new date was released by the SC Attorney General’s Office. However, Large has been out on bond under house arrest and electronic monitoring for 15 months. During a hearing Tuesday afternoon, Large’s attorney requested the restrictions be lifted.
The attorney listed a number of reasons the ankle monitor and house arrest restriction are no longer needed, including Large’s failing health and no reported contact with any of the victims since his bond was set. He noted that Large takes 20 medications a day, has kidney disease and heart disease, and must get permission each time he wants to go to a doctor visit.
Large’s attorney said the monitoring service was a “waste of money” as Large is not violating any of the conditions of his bond but still paying $300 a month for the tracking device.
The prosecution argued that while Large served in law enforcement for more than two decades, they have proof that for nine of those years he was engaging in inappropriate behavior, and if the house arrest and monitoring restrictions are lifted, Large could return to those behaviors.
The attorney who represents many of Large’s alleged victims spoke for the women, saying they still lived in fear that Large could try to contact them and they will again “become victims of Large’s threats.”
After hearing both sides, the judge expressed that the ankle monitor and house arrest are not to be used as long-term forms of punishment against any defendant. In addition, the judge made note that Large is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“The court is concerned for the safety and welfare of the general public, victims, in particular. I’m also of the understanding that this gentleman is presumed innocent until he’s proven guilty,” the judge said.
The judge lifted the electronic monitoring and house arrest from Large’s bond restrictions. The judge did implement at 7 p.m. curfew for Large and maintained that Large have no contact – electronic or in-person – with the victims, family members of the victims, witnesses, or have anyone reach those people on Large’s behalf.
Before dismissing the court, the judge gave a final warning to Large, that despite his health challenges, if Large violates the bond terms, Horry County would foot the bill for Large to be jailed even in intensive care.
Large verbally acknowledged the judge’s warning against contacting anyone involved in the case, “Yes, yes sir, your honor,” before leaving the courtroom.
