Two of 4 suspects charged with concealing the death of a missing Florida man are free on bond after a judge dramatically reduced their bail on Thursday.
Cole Thomas disappeared in Benson on Nov. 25, 2016. The 22 year-old man has not been seen or heard from since that time.
On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Tom Lock lowered the bonds for Julian Valles Jr. of Dudley, Anthony Ridell James Jr. of Mt. Olive, and Rudolfo DeLeon Jr. of Mt Olive.
Valles’ bail was reduced from $750,000 to $50,000. He was released from the Johnston County Jail on Friday. Also released on bail was Anthony James whose bond was lowered from $200,000 to $30,000.
DeLeon was still in custody on Friday although his bond was reduced Thursday from $500,000 to $40,000.
A fourth defendant, Jeremy Carpenter of Minnesota, remains in jail under a $500,000 bond. Carpenter was not a part of the bond reduction hearing on Thursday.
Although authorities have never located Cole’s body, prosecutors said recently they are treating his disappearance as a homicide.
The defendants are charged with concealment or failing to report a death.
