By Meladi Brewer

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — Harter granted work privileges during bond hearing on Monday. Judge Travis L. Fliehman presided.

Kyle W. Harter, 39, of Greenville, is currently on trial for allegedly pandering obscenity, a felony of the second degree, and illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material, a felony of the second degree.

Harter was originally arrested on July 8, 2024 under suspicion of the above allegations after officers were dispatched to the 500 block of Main Street in reference to a sexual offense on July 7. He attended a preliminary hearing in July where the court modified his bond from $100,000 to $25,000, and if the bond was posted the defendant was not have any contact with any minors, and be placed on an ankle monitor without work privileges. All other conditions of bond also remain in effect.

Harter reappeared for a bond hearing on the hopes to modify bond to allow him to go back to work.

“Your honor Mr. Harter has been out on bond for approximately six weeks now, and in that time he has been on house arrest monitoring with no work release privileges,” Defense Attorney Alex Pendl said. “He was employed prior to his arrest and has lost it due to his arrest.”

Pendl advised the court that Harter is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and they do not have a trial date set.

“In the meantime, he needs to be able to work to provide some source of income to pay for his legal expenses as well as contribute to the family,” Pendl said.

He advised that Harter has worked an employment opportunity out with a local business that will enable him to continue to comply with all terms of his bond including the significant term of no contact with any minors.

“He would not have any interactions with any customers, as written out in the statement by his potential employer,” Pendle said. “In light of that we ask the court grant him permission.”

The State Prosecutor, James Bennett who’s filling in for Deborah Quigley, said that they would not have an issue with allowing work privileges to the outlined job if the court sets forth appropriate time frames for travel when Harter is not at work or on house arrest.

“Outlined in the letter, the employer makes the comment that if he is granted work permission, Harter will not, during his scheduled shifts and working hours, have any contact with minors nor any interaction with customers,” Judge Fliehman said. “The court is going to grant the defendant’s motion.”

The previous set conditions still apply with the work modification. Harter is to attend work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the listed place of employment. He is allowed to go directly to and from his residence to work with no other lenience’s. He will be able to leave his residence starting at 8:30 a.m. to arrive at work by 9 a.m., and he will be able to leave work starting at 4 p.m. and arriving home by 4:30 p.m.

“No further permissions are granted before, during, or after work. Harter shall maintain contact with pretrial services, and all other conditions and terms of bond should remain in effect,” Judge Fliehman said.

To contact Daily Advocate Reporter Meladi Brewer, email [email protected].