NATCHEZ — An Adams County Justice Court judge set a $450,000 bond today for the Natchez man charged in connection with the reportedly repeated sexual assault of a 16-year-old male.

Judge Charlie Vess set a split bond for James Wesley Forde, 43, 801 Myrtle Ave., who was charged Friday with nine counts of sexual battery.

Vess initially set Forde’s bond as strictly a cash bond, then a split bond of $360,000 during the arraignment.

Vess said after the arraignment that Forde could not come up with half of the $360,000 bond in cash. Vess said he increased the split bond to $450,000 and allowed Forde to post $100,000 in cash or bail and $350,000 in property.

Forde was released on bond at approximately 5 p.m.

During the arraignment, Forde’s attorney, Kevin Colbert, asked Vess to consider allowing part of the bond to be a property bond.

Colbert said Forde has no prior offenses, is not a flight risk and has a business he needs to maintain.

“I would like to remind the court that my client sits here as an innocent man,” Colbert said as Forde sat next to him in a orange and white jumpsuit with his hands and feet shackled.

“The purpose of bail is not to punish him for something he has not been convicted of. Life has to go on for this man, and we shouldn’t try to punish this man right now,” Colbert said.

Colbert added that Forde was not a rich man and Forde’s chance of making bond without being able to put up property would be difficult.

Vess said he believed although Forde may not be a wealthy man, Forde might have access to money for the bond.

County Attorney Barret Martin said the state would not object to splitting the bond between a cash bond and a property bond. Martin added that given the seriousness of the crimes of which Forde is accused and the punishment he is facing, Forde could possibly flee Adams County, even though he said the state does not consider Forde a flight risk.

Vess agreed with Martin and placed several restrictions on Forde’s bond.

“Certainly within our system, we have innocent until proven guilty,” Vess said. “Given the nature of the charges, and given that it is nine separate counts of very serious crimes involving a minor allegedly 14 to 16 years old at the time (of the assault), (Forde) might have a change of heart about fleeing.”

The restrictions on Forde’s bond include:

-The surrender of Forde’s passport.

-Forde must remain in Adams County and the surrounding counties and parishes, unless he is required to leave for medical or business purposes.

-Forde must report to his attorney every Monday and Friday until his case is resolved.

-Forde must not be in possession of any weapons.

-Forde shall have no direct or indirect verbal, electronic or third-party contact with the victim or his family, except through his attorney.

-Forde shall not attend any social functions where minors under the age of 17 may be present.

Vess said he believed the bond and the restrictions were fair given the nature of the case and the fact that Forde is facing up to a total of 270 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

Vess also confirmed with Adams County Capt. Robert Brown that the case’s investigation is still ongoing.

“So these may not be the only charges in this case,” Vess said.

The assault was initially reported to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and later to the Natchez Police Department. The victim’s mother reported the alleged assault to NPD on March 20.

According to the police report, the assaults allegedly took place over the course of nearly two years — from May 2010 until February — at the suspect’s business, in the suspect’s car and at the Natchez Little Theatre.

Forde operates The Forde Line, a men’s clothing store in downtown Natchez.

He has also performed in a number of Natchez Little Theatre productions in recent years.

The NLT has released two statements expressing concern and committing to aid in the case’s investigation.

“The end result of these allegations remains to be seen,” a statement said. “However, should the allegations against this one individual prove to be true, then the responsibility owed to our family has been neglected and that trust breached.

“We deeply care about our theater family. Therefore, we will continue to do all that is possible to see that the members of the NLT family are safe, secure and free from any danger that could bring this sadness into our midst again.”

The Natchez police report states that the teen had been sent to a treatment center in January for suicidal behavior and trauma suffered after the assault, which the teen disclosed to his mother shortly before the report was filed.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield declined to comment on the time frame and locations of the reported assault or any other details, he said, because the case involves a juvenile.

Vess said the next step in the case will be a preliminary hearing, which will more than likely be in the next few weeks.

“Given the case, even though the docket is full, we can probably sandwich (Forde) in quicker than we normally would,” Vess said.