(Memphis) A now-former Olive Garden employee accused of trying to kidnap and rape his teenage co-worker is one step closer to getting out of jail.
A judge lowered Jonathan Cox’s bond from $100,000 to $30,000 Wednesday.
Cox is charged with aggravated attempted kidnapping.
His bond is $30,000, but he only has to pay $3,000 to get out.
The victim, Meah Hill, was in the courtroom, and said she broke down in tears.
“I feel like he can get out today. He can get out anytime he wants, and then I feel like he is going to come after me,” said Hill. “He confessed that he was watching me over a six-month time period. He was planning…to kidnap me, take me to his house and rape me repeatedly.”
The day plays over and over again in her mind.
While walking into work last month, Hill said her co-worker grabbed her, covered her mouth, and tried to drag her to his car, but she got away.
Police said the evidence was all there: duct tape and rope in Cox’s car.
“It’s made me fearful to go outside by myself or be anywhere alone,” said Hill.
Her mom and dad take her to therapy weekly and calm her nightmares. Now they are worried what will happen if Cox gets out.
“He has been watching her for six months. We don’t know if he knows where we live,” said Ponita Hill.
Hill tried to file an order of protection Wednesday, but was told she couldn’t until Cox makes bond and the terms of that bond are worked out.
“I feel like nobody cared about me being a victim. I felt like I was by myself. I was victimized by people I thought would protect me,” said Hill.
Cox doesn’t have a criminal record. He’s from West Memphis, and WREG is told he lives with his mother.
Hill said those factors played a role in the judge’s decision.
