Update: Man, 21, accused in sex crimes involving 3 children

Sheriff’s investigators have arrested a 21-year-old man in sex crimes involving three girls.

Codey Wayne Wolfe is accused of molesting three girls ages 8, 14 and 15 and of committing a sex act with the 14-year-old, sheriff’s Lt. Coley Judy said.

Deputies arrested him Wednesday night on one count of sexual battery and four counts of touching a child for lustful purposes.

Wolfe was released from the Harrison County jail within three hours on felony bonds that total $250,000, the jail docket shows. When Judge Melvin Ray set the bonds, he ordered special conditions on Wolfe’s release. The conditions likely include a no-contact order involving the three girls.

The crimes occurred starting in November until near the time of Wolfe’s arrest, Judy said.

“The parents of the girls reported it,” he said.

“It occurred when the girls were visiting his family’s home and when he was the only adult around ... he had them do different sex things. Regardless, any type of sexual activity with children under age 16 is illegal.”

Deputies also arrested Wolfe on a misdemeanor drug charge with a $500 bond.

Wolfe gave up the right to a preliminary hearing on the felonies because he left the jail without having a hearing before a Justice Court judge. When that happens, a defendant is deemed to have given up the right to a preliminary hearing, also called a probable-cause hearing. In those hearings, a judge listens to a county attorney and a defense attorney question witnesses to determine if the case merits a grand jury review.

Wolfe’s felony case will automatically be sent to the next grand jury.

This story was originally published February 9, 2017 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Update: Man, 21, accused in sex crimes involving 3 children."