Alexander holds Roberts bond at $500,000

Media Relations Officer Kevin Kelshaw reported to the Crime Patrol desk at Historic City News that 26-year old transient Joseph Dean Roberts appeared before Circuit Court Judge John Alexander today on charges of auto theft and violation of parole.

Roberts is represented by a public defender who asked that his client’s bond be reduced, however, Alexander kept Roberts’ bond at $500,000.

Alexander said a hearing on bond reduction should come later; before the judge who set the bond.

Roberts was named a person of interest in the disappearance of 45-year old Brittany Jeniveve Tavar after Roberts was stopped driving Tavar’s car in Wyoming — before Tavar was reported missing.

After Roberts was interviewed by local detectives while in custody in King County, Washington, human remains, believed to be Tavar, were recovered October 14th by St. Johns County Sheriff’s deputies in the area of a homeless camp off of SR-207 and Lightsey Road.

Because of the advanced stage of decomposition, District 23 Medical Examiner Terrence R. Steiner, M.D. has not completed his examination.

Additional charges are still pending until the autopsy results are known.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer and King County Sheriff’s Office contributed photograph