Judge rules to remove GPS monitor from former detective Allen Large

A judge ruled to allow the removal of a GPS monitor from the ankle of former Horry County Detective Allen Large whose movements have been watched ever since he was charged with sexually harassing victims of domestic violence.

Large’s attorney, Russell Long, told the court his client has been monitored for 15 months, only allowed to leave home to go to church, doctor appointments and to consult with him.

“We have no clue in this case when this trial is going to be,” Long said.

Large was indicted on a total of 10 criminal charges, including five charges of misconduct in office and five charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in September 2016, after a S.C. Law Enforcement Division investigation revealed concerns in the Horry County Police Department.

Three other officers were also indicted.

Five women - identified only as Jane Doe - have since filed separate lawsuits against Large.

The women claim to have been sexually assaulted or harassed by Large in his capacity as a police detective, and some say he pressured them to participate in nude catfighting videos.

“He knows better than to make any unnecessary contact with anyone involved in this case,” Long told the judge.

A representative of the victims in the case told the judge the women will be afraid if the court allows the GPS monitor to be removed.

“They all oppose this wholeheartedly,” Amy Lawrence told the court. “He knew better when he did what he did. He knew better when he sexually assaulted rape victims. … That’s why he chose the victims he did because he didn’t think anybody would believe them.”

A judge in September 2016 set Large’s bond at $85,000 and ordered him to wear an ankle monitor during his confinement to home detention.

Large bonded out of jail hours after he was charged in the grand jury indictments. He has been held on home detention under GPS monitoring since his release.

Judge Thomas Russo said that GPS monitoring and home detentions should be temporary, but 15 months with no trial date is “becoming long-term.”

“I’m concerned obviously… for the safety and the welfare of the general public, for the victims in particular,” he said. “I’m also understanding that this gentleman is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

He granted the motion to remove Large from electronic monitoring, but added a 7 p.m. home curfew to his bond conditions.

Large is also to have “no contact with any victims or witnesses or victim’s families of any type.”

“Yes sir, your honor. I understand fully and I look forward to court and I will abide by your ruling, yes sir,” Large told the judge.

Russo told the state attorney general’s office, which is leading the prosecution, to set a trial date as soon as possible.

If convicted of all 11 charges, Large faces up to 110 years in jail.

This story was originally published December 5, 2017 at 3:20 PM with the headline "Judge rules to remove GPS monitor from former detective Allen Large."