A Huron County jury found a Detroit man guilty of felony Absconding or Forfeiting a Bond on Tuesday, May 28.
The jury deliberated for almost 90 minutes before agreeing on the verdict, finding 31-year-old James Thomas-Nevels guilty of the four-year felony. Thomas-Nevels was initially arrested on a charge of Home Invasion 2nd degree and Domestic Violence that occurred on Valentine’s Day in 2023.
When he was arraigned on those charges the next day, he was told to return to court for further hearings on February 23, 2023, and March 3, 2023. However, after posting bond and being released, Thomas-Nevels failed to appear on the February 23rd hearing date, a follow up hearing date of March 2 and the March 3rd hearing date.
According to the evidence admitted during the trial, Thomas- Nevels’ attorney at the time had not heard from his client, and the defendant had been informed of both his hearing dates and of a bench warrant out for his arrest for failure to appear at the proceedings.
Thomas-Nevels was ultimately charged with Absconding or Forfeiting a Bond because of his failure to appear.
After Tuesday’s guilty verdict, the Court was provided certified records of Thomas-Nevels criminal history with at least four prior felony convictions, including one for unarmed robbery and three for delivery of controlled substances. With those four prior felony convictions, he is considered a Habitual Offender which increases the possible penalty to a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Judge Gerald M. Prill scheduled sentencing for Thomas-Nevels on Monday, July 8 at 9 a.m.
