Defendant granted bond

A Seneca man awaiting trial on charges of kidnapping and sex crimes may gain release from jail if he can meet the terms of a bond set yesterday in the Oconee General Sessions Court.  On a request on behalf of defendant Charles Lee Hightower, Judge Scott Sprouse ordered a $125 thousand bond with surety and the conditions of electronic monitoring, house arrest, and no contact with the victim.  Defense attorney Joey Opperman said because of an injury suffered while working on a water line, Hightower is disabled and relies on a $1,400 disability check, from which he can help pay the cost of an electronic monitoring.