BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: Derek Holley’s mugshot from Elmore County Jail after a pursuit and wreck in Millbrook last week. He was wanted on a felony warrant for rape of a 13-year-old girl.
Derek Holley will remain in Elmore County Jail on a rape charge of a 13-year-old female. District Judge Glenn Goggans agreed with prosecution this morning that, under Aniah’s Law, Holley is a danger to the public and a flight risk.
19th Judicial District Attorney CJ Robinson said that aside from Holley’s current rape charge in Elmore County, and a pending sexual assault charge out of Florida, he has an extensive criminal history.
“Defendant Holley is a danger and menace to society,” District Attorney CJ Robinson said. “He has 10 prior felony convictions and numerous misdemeanor convictions that include giving a false name to law enforcement and obstructing governmental operations. We wanted to insure he was held without bond here in Alabama so we can prosecute him before he returns to answer for his sexual assault charge in the state of Florida. At least we can know he won’t be able to hurt another child now.”
This morning, Holley appeared before District Judge Goggans, represented by his attorney Brandon Stone. Representing the prosecution was Chief Assistant District Attorney Mandy Johnson.
Holley has been in Elmore County Jail since last week, after he spotted by a Millbrook officer, who knew the city had felony warrant out for Holley’s arrest. Holley reportedly led the officer on a high-speed chase from Hwy. 14 to Oak Tree Road, where he wrecked and abandoned his vehicle. He then reportedly fled into the woods and was found by law enforcement hiding in a tree. He left behind his young daughter in the vehicle. Investigators found marijuana in the vehicle as well, according to police reports.
Earlier this month an alleged victim came forward with allegations she was raped by Holley in his Elmore County home, where she was staying the night with friends.
Holley faces a similar charge in Florida for the sexual assault of a minor female. He had been released on bond for that charge and had recently returned to Elmore County.
Holley’s attorney Brandon Stone argued that most of Holley’s convictions are 10-years-old. Chief Assistant DA Mandy Johnson countered that is because he has spent “quite a bit of time” with the Department of Corrections in between his reported criminal activities, to include the most recent rape allegations.
What is Aniah’s Law?
It is a constitutional amendment named for Aniah Blanchard, a college student who was kidnapped and murdered in 2019 by a suspect who was out on bail for violent crimes. The amendment gives judges more discretion to deny bail to defendants charged with first -degree offenses including murder, kidnapping, rape and terrorism. The amendment was passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed by Governor Kay Ivey in 2021.
Since that time, both Autauga and Elmore County prosecutors have successfully used the law to keep repeat offenders from bailing out on their most recent charges until they can be tried in court.
