Florence Man Denied Bond for Alleged Obscene Communication with Minor
Florence, S.C. — In a courtroom hearing on Tuesday, 31-year-old Darius Fontaine Fitts faced serious charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a minor. Fitts, who worked as an in-school suspension monitor at Wilson High School, has been accused of disseminating obscene material to a person under the age of 18. Florence County Magistrate Judge Jerry Rivers denied him bond, stating, “I will be forwarding your case to the circuit court,” which underscores the gravity of the allegations against him.
Details of the Case
The allegations against Fitts involve sending a photograph of his private parts through text messages to a minor. Major Michael Nunn from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies arrested Fitts on Monday evening following the claims made by a student. In a statement sent out to the public, Florence 1 Schools confirmed that they acted promptly upon learning of the inappropriate communication. “The district’s administration immediately notified law enforcement and is cooperating fully with their investigation. The individual is no longer employed by Florence 1 Schools,” the statement read.
Victim’s Representation and Concerns
During the bond hearing, attorneys Linward Edwards and Ashley Nance represented the minor victim. Nance emphasized the importance of denying bond, citing that some of the text messages were sent during school hours while the victim was present at school. “How can we ensure that he doesn’t do this while he’s out on bond to somebody else?” Nance asked the judge. She described the case as “very, very troubling,” highlighting that the messages were egregious.
Potential for More Victims
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office Victim/Witness Advocate, Trixie Ussery, informed the court that there may be additional victims involved. “There is a possibility some more charges are coming against him in reference to other victims,” Ussery stated. She urged the judge to bar Fitts from having any contact with potential victims and requested that he not return to Wilson High School.
Legal Representation and Future Proceedings
Fitts expressed frustration during the hearing, mentioning that his attorney was supposed to be present but had another engagement in court. Judge Rivers clarified that they had no prior knowledge of legal representation available for Fitts at that time. The judge informed him that he could request a bond hearing at a later date through the circuit court.
Current Status
As the case develops, Fitts remains incarcerated at the Florence County Detention Center, exacerbating the concerns surrounding his actions. Notably, he is identified on a flyer as an elder in the Apostolic Church denomination, which could further affect the community’s perception of him. The investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement actively looking into the claims and potential additional victims in this troubling case.
