MACCLENNY, Fla. – A Baker County judge on Tuesday reduced Christopher Barton's bond on drug sales charges from $950,000 to $115,000.
Barton, 41, and his 25-year-old wife, Lonna, were arrested Sept. 16 after authorities said they sold the synthetic drug Molly to an undercover officer in Macclenny, hours after the couple appeared at a custody hearing for their 5-year-old daughter. Their 21-month-old son, Lonzie, disappeared on July 24 and remains missing.
Baker County Judge Mark Mosley lowered Chris Barton's bond after hearing the argument from Assistant Public Defender Julie Johnson that a $950,000 bond is the equivalent of no bond. She added that Barton has five children to support and has no history of running away.
Prosecutors pointed to Chris Barton's criminal record, which includes arrests dating back to 2007 for DUI, petty theft and contempt of court.
While he lowered the bond, judge ordered that if Chris Barton is released, he is to have no contact with witnesses or his wife, that he not use drugs or alcohol and have not access to firearms.
Friends of the defendant told News4Jax that even raising the percentage of $115,000 a bondman would require to get him release will be hard.
REPORT: Christopher Barton, Lonna Lauramore Barton, Shawn Hall arrest report
Bond remains at $700,000 for Lonna Barton, who was previously ordered held without bond on Duval County charges of child neglect and lying to police in connection with the Lonzie Barton case.
Lonna Barton's boyfriend, Ruben Ebron, is being held in the Duval County jail without bond on charges of child neglect and lying to police in the Lonzie Barton investigation, along with charges related to an escape attempt.