Log in

Stockton, Missouri doctor denied bond

Posted

David Smock, a Stockton-based doctor who faces charges of sex crimes in Greene and Cedar counties, was denied bond in Cedar County last week.

Judge Brandon Fisher entered judgment on Friday after Smock’s attorney, Stacey Bilyeu, recently filed for a change of venue, a motion to dismiss and request for bond. 

In court last month, Bilyeu argued that Smock was essentially not a danger to the community and his case would be easier to prepare for if he were out on bond.

Fisher’s judgment said the current setting of no bond is appropriate. Additionally, Smock is a flight risk due to his means and contacts within multiple states. 

“While GPS monitoring with house arrest could help with the location of the Defendant, there is no way to monitor who is invited to the Defendant's home and visits and/or stays there,” 

According to the judgment, the court found that after Smock asked that his case be dismissed because of the timelines set forth in Rules 22.03 and 22.09, “while remanding this case for another preliminary hearing would clean up any timeline issues, it appeared the main reason that (Smock) wanted the case remanded was not for filing and court appearances outside the scope of Rule 22, but to have the State put on additional witnesses that (Smock) wanted to be able to cross examine,” the judgment said.

The court found probable cause based on witnesses provided by the state.

Ultimately, Smock’s motion to dismiss or, in the alternative, to remand for preliminary hearing, was denied.

Smock faces 12 sex crime charges in Cedar County, including seven counts of statutory sodomy, two counts of sexual misconduct involving a child, one count of child molestation, one count of stalking and one count of child enticement in Cedar County. These charges date back to the summer of 2018, per court records.

Smock was a longtime physician in Stockton and Agape Boarding School. Several former students have filed lawsuits against the boarding school since last year, claiming a wide range of abuse, from starvation to physical and emotional abuse. 

Smock also faces charges of second-degree statutory sodomy, third-degree child molestation of a child less than 14 years of age, and enticement or attempted enticement of a child less than 15 years of age in Greene County.

He’s due in court on Aug. 26 for a motion hearing.

 



X
X