CINCINNATI — Rev. Geoffrey Drew, the priest charged with nine counts of rape, was in court alongside his defense attorney Wednesday, requesting his $5 million bond be lowered to $100,000.
Drew was indicted in August for alleged incidents that occurred between 1988 and 1991 when Drew was employed as a music minister at St. Jude School in Green Township. He was not a priest at the time.
The victim is a 41-year-old man who testified before a grand jury that Drew sexually abused him when he was 10 and 11 years old, Prosecutor Joe Deters said during an August news conference.
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Drew was placed on leave from St. Ignatius of Loyola where he most recently served as pastor.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati said it is investigating years of complaints and concerning behavior involving Drew, including a June complaint from a St. Ignatius family that Drew had texted their teenage son.
Drew’s attorney asked Judge Leslie Ghiz to lower Drew’s bond arguing that Drew did not leave the county when the St. Ignatius investigation began. He also said Drew has no criminal history.
Prosecutors said Drew had been arranging a move out of Hamilton County during the time of his arrest, and told the judge the investigation into Drew’s behavior is ongoing.
Ghiz said she will review the case and make a final decision about Drew’s bond on Oct. 9.
