Richard Perkins

If a Cody man wants to be released on bond while facing a felony sex crime, he’ll need to post $250,000 in cash, a judge ruled Friday.

Richard M. Perkins, 59, was arrested in Oregon last month on allegations that he sexually abused a minor in Park County in May. A prosecutor contends that Perkins left the state as part of an effort to flee from local authorities.

Deputy Park County Attorney Jack Hatfield argued that Perkins had “done everything he possibly could” to avoid prosecution on a count of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor — including by shutting off his cellphone. When Perkins was arrested in Bandon, Oregon, on June 9, authorities say he was living in a wooded area behind a family member’s home.

“He’s done everything to show that he’s an extreme flight risk in this regard,” Hatfield argued in Park County Circuit Court on Friday, asserting that Perkins’ actions seemed to reflect “consciousness of guilt.”

Hatfield also noted the “serious nature” of the charge, which carries a minimum of 25 years behind bars.

“If he’s convicted, he’s almost certainly going to be spending the rest of his life in prison,” Hatfield said of Perkins, adding that, “any person with any sense would almost certainly consider fleeing.”

Perkins began to dispute that he was a flight risk, before Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah cut him off, warning that anything he said about the allegations could be used against him at trial. Darrah ultimately adopted Hatfield’s recommendation in imposing a $250,000 bond.

The alleged crime occurred in mid-May, according to court records. Further details remain confidential under state laws that protect the identity of alleged victims of sex crimes and, in the early stages of the proceedings, alleged perpetrators. Because of those laws, Perkins was referred to only by his initials during Friday’s hearing. The Tribune identified him using other public records and by personally recognizing him; Perkins has received considerable publicity in recent years for giving away thousands of bicycles to local children.

Following his June arrest in Oregon, Perkins’ bail was set at $50,000 cash or surety. However, he never posted that lower amount — “I can’t afford bond at this time,” Perkins said at Friday’s hearing — and he agreed to be returned to Cody late last month.

It took about three weeks for transportation to be arranged, with Perkins booked into the Park County Detention Center Wednesday evening; he remained there on Monday, according to records.

A preliminary hearing — where Darrah will determine if there’s enough evidence for the case to proceed toward a trial — is tentatively set for Friday.