Published Monday, July 28, 2008 6:05 AM
In search of justice
By JANET PHELPS
Eagle Staff Writer
Bail bondsman Pat Westmoreland of Allegheny Bail Bonds has been pursuing Stephen Bruce Unger, who fled child molestation charges.
Stephen Bruce Unger Jr. is the first thing on Pat Westmoreland's mind when he wakes up in the morning. And he's the last thing he thinks about before he goes to bed.
The local bail bondsman has Unger's picture as his computer's screensaver and can rattle off facts about Unger's life as if it were his own.
Westmoreland and his co-workers at Allegheny Casualty Co. are constantly searching for Unger, who failed to show up in court for a pre-trial hearing in his child molestation case in November.
If Unger is not found, the company will owe the court $140,000 next month.
But the money, company officials said Friday, is only part of it.
Allegheny Casualty owner and manager Davie C. Westmoreland said that when a defendant fails to appear in court, it becomes a personal issue for them.
"We've got to go to sleep at night and know that he's not out there preying on somebody else's kids," she said. "We're going to find him."
Broken trust
Allegheny Casualty Co. officials said they are choosy about who they write bonds for.
In 2006, when Unger was arrested on charges of indecency with a child, he seemed like the perfect client.
The elementary school teacher appeared to be an outstanding citizen, they said.
He was widely praised for a soccer program for at-risk boys he started in Bryan schools in 2003 and was named one of USA Weekend's Most Caring Coaches in 2005.
Pat Westmoreland said Unger was a diehard Aggie with strong ties to the community. The 29-year-old was among the survivors of the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse. He met his future spouse, whose sister died in the collapse, at grief counseling after the event.
When Unger came to the Westmorelands for help, Davie Westmoreland said, she was touched by his sincerity. He told her that he had been falsely accused.
"He portrayed himself to be a nice guy, a victim," she said. "He was in here crying on my shoulder every day."
Unger had no typical signs of a flight risk, such as convictions for evading arrest or failure to identify to police.
He had good collateral, friends who co-signed for his bond and family members who lived in town.
"Bruce was supposed to be a safe risk," Pat Westmoreland said.
Davie Westmoreland said she's turned people away because she had a "bad feeling" about them.
But with Unger, she said, there was no indication that he had an agenda.
Davie Westmoreland said it doesn't matter to her whether Unger is guilty or innocent. When he didn't show up in court, she said, he broke her trust.
"We believed in him. We believed in what he said," she said. "I don't believe in him anymore."
The charges
Unger was charged with two counts of indecency with a child in November 2006 when an 11-year-old boy told his parents that Unger had fondled him when he spent the night at the coach's home and in a computer lab at Neal Elementary.
He was released on $40,000 bail.
Further charges were filed against Unger two months later when two teens said he molested them repeatedly over several years. One accusation dates to 1997, when Unger was still in college.
He was charged with aggravated sexual assault and three counts of indecency with a child and released on $100,000 bail.
The most severe of the charges -- aggravated sexual assault of a child -- is a first-degree felony punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison.
Unger taught at Neal Elementary for about four years before he was placed on administrative leave until his contract lapsed following his arrest in 2006.
'He planned it'
Unger failed to show up in court Nov. 29 for a pre-trial hearing just days before his trial was set to begin. A district judge revoked his bail and issued a warrant for Unger's arrest that day.
Pat Westmoreland said Unger had called their office the morning of the hearing to tell them he would be there.
Unger's father told police Unger had "headed to Colorado on a motorcycle to clear his head before trial."
The Westmorelands believe Unger had been planning his escape, citing records that show Unger gave his father authority to make financial decisions for him in his absence.
"He planned it," Pat Westmoreland said. "He knew exactly what he was doing."
Since then, Pat Westmoreland and the six investigators at Allegheny Casualty Co. have been scouring the country for any trace of Unger's whereabouts.
With 13 offices covering 25 Texas counties, Pat Westmoreland said he and his team are generally searching for 20 to 25 fugitives at all times -- about 7 percent of the company's bonds.
Davie Westmoreland said the longest anyone has gone missing from Allegheny Casualty Co. was just more than two years.
The team has found fugitives in 48 states, Mexico, Canada and, most recently, the Fiji Islands.
But Unger is a "rare bird," Pat Westmoreland said.
The Westmorelands believe he has a large supply of money and family members who are helping him avoid arrest. They said he also has a lot of supporters who believe he is innocent and want to protect him.
Company officials are so convinced that he is being aided by his family that they have filed litigation against Unger, his father and his estranged wife.
"Bruce's family, in my opinion, will face charges," Pat Westmoreland said.
In addition to Allegheny Casualty Co. investigators, Bryan police, sheriff's deputies, district attorney's office and U.S. Marshals are hunting for Unger.
"Everybody's very, very Bruce-minded," he said. "His days are numbered."
Brazos County First Assistant District Attorney Shane Phelps said his office is still "very actively" seeking Unger's return.
"We're doing everything we can to find him," he said.
If he does return, Phelps said, Unger could be charged with jumping bail.
"Anytime somebody flees, the law allows evidence of that to be presented to the jury," he said.
Never stop looking
Allegheny Casualty Co. will be responsible for the $140,000 Unger owes the court if he is not arrested by Aug. 26 -- nine months after his pre-trial hearing date, according to county officials.
"If the deadline comes, we will pay," Pat Westmoreland said.
That amount won't put the company out of business, he said, but it will hurt.
Allegheny Casualty attorney Jeffrey Burns said the company may be able to extend the payment deadline. But, he said, eventually, the company will have to pay the court if Unger is not found.
Either way, the Westmorelands said, they will never stop looking for Unger.
"We don't stop looking for ours. We will look for them until long after I'm dead and gone," she said. "It's very personal with us."
• Janet Phelps' e-mail address is janet.phelps@theeagle.com.
Comments
36 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
On:
Saturday, August 02, 2008 3:44 PM
Comment Title:
I come from Bruce Unger's home town and actually know the Unger family. Bruce was a great guy, can't say anything about his character now, but at one time he was a great guy with a huge heart. What Bruce is charged of is absolutely appalling, but I haven't heard anything of a trial and a jury of his peers actually hearing evidence and convicting him. I will be the first one to say lock him up and throw away the key if he did it, but lets wait and here the evidence. Innocent until proven guilty, right? I believe he should have never been allowed to be bonded out, and the fact that this has been almost 2 years ago and the judicial system is just now getting around to it is a problem. The real problem is not that an accused child molester is on the run, but the fact that our own judicial system allowed this to happen. I hope Bruce returns and faces what he did or lets his side of the story come out, whatever the case may be.
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Posted by:
YRIGHT On:
Friday, August 01, 2008 4:28 PM
Comment Title: How did this get to be a Bryan vs. CS topic????
I hate it that attention is being taken away from the fact that a child molester is on the loose. Who cares where he is from??!?? It makes no diff!!! He wasn't born and raised in Bryan! He was borned & raised in a city a helluva lot more affluent that Bryan or CS put together!!! My husband went to school in CS and laughs everytime he hears people touting it as the better school district (drug free, fight free, etc.). Our kids go to BISD and We've never regretted it once. Let's focus this topic on the Child MOlester at Large, who molested children. Innocent people don't run.
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, July 31, 2008 3:09 PM
Comment Title: What comes around goes around !
I am surprised this has not happened before now. The evil people do eventually catches up with them. Ms. Westmoreland and her large son were not concerned with the welfare of the children when the defendant had 15-20 grand to give them and their attempt to play on that concept now only illustrates their fraudulent nature. In my opinion this is simply the beginning of the end. It is my recent understanding Ms. Westmoreland has a million dollar judgement in another county as well. We all pay for the sins of our past. Sometimes it just takes longer than others. Justice is finally being served.
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, July 31, 2008 2:13 AM
Comment Title:
what parent lets their 11 year old son spend the night with a grown man, other than those parents that let theirs sleep with Micheal Jackson?? Second, he is innocent till proven guilty.Maybe he got scared. I wouldn't let my kids be near him but then I don't let my kids hang with other adults unless it is family. Last L. , sounds like you jumped a lease.I own rental property and I would call you too for being a deadbeat.His alleged criminal activity does not negate you owing him money.
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Posted by:
On:
Thursday, July 31, 2008 2:01 AM
Comment Title: I can't believe I am actually defending CSISD
Sorry but at South Knoll and Oakwood, they do check ID's when they do not know the person. They also make sure the person checking the child out is known to the child and is on the list of approved "picker-uppers".They checked my 74 year old mother's ID till she became known. I would not want to be the person who tries to get past Deanna!
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 9:06 PM
Comment Title: Westmoreland - you simply guessed wrong, quit crying
A bonding company, like an insurance company gets paid money to assume a risk. They hedge a bet. And the fee is determined based on guessing that risk. I can only assume the fee for this bond was probably 11-15%, or in the neighborhood of $15,000-$21,000 dollars – a hefty chunk of change – for an HOUR or TWO worth of work to write a bond and walk it over to the Court? Hold on, I am sweating just thinking of having to fill in all those blanks for a mere $15-21,000. And Westmoreland guessed wrong and now has to make good on their bond – and they are CRYING about it – oh PLAAAEEASE. Stop ACTING so righteously indignant that an accused is not being brought to justice. You got him out for a HUGE fee and YOU put him on the street – you could care less, you are just upset because you won’t be able to buy another fleet of Escalades!
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:09 PM
Comment Title: fenale elementary teacher
Why would teaching elementary school be ok for a woman but not for a man? Why would something be "not quite right with them" but normal for women? I agree with the entry below Amber. You're a friggin' idiot.
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Posted by:
On:
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:06 PM
Comment Title:
Amber, I'm sorry, but you're a friggin' idiot. Take your meds and go back to sleep.
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Posted by:
Amber On:
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:36 AM
Comment Title: Pedophiles Should Be Executed
The schools are infested with pedophiles because they present perverts with an abundance of easy prey. I know I'm old fashioned, but a grown man has no business teaching in an elementary school. If a man teaches it should be in the upper grades. There is something seriously wrong with a man that would seek employment in an elementary school. No, all of them are not child molesters, but something is not quite right with them. Maybe the taxpayers will get lucky and this idiot will run that motorcycle off the side of a mountain in Colorado.
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Posted by:
On:
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 1:26 AM
Comment Title:
NBA- Normal Bryan Activity
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Posted by:
A Mom On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 8:21 PM
Comment Title: Guilty
He's obviously guilty or he would not have ran. I hope they catch him and put him away for good. Anyone that prey's on children should not be able to bond out, even if they say they are innocent. Our children should come first.
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Posted by:
Love DOG On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 8:16 PM
Comment Title: Call in THE DOG
I'd be on the phone to Duane Chapman, pronto. Plus if he's in Colorado, they have connections there!!! Woof Woof
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 5:55 PM
Comment Title: AGREE WITH "NO SYMPATHY"
TRUE THAT, ALLEGHENY HAD NO PROBLEM IN SETTING THIS GUY FREE (KNOWING HIS CRIME). SO SUCK IT UP!!!!
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Posted by:
Serene1 On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 5:16 PM
Comment Title:
This guy was smooth enough to talk young people & their parents into trusting him, and then he committed the ultimate betrayal. Never trust someone charged with child molestation, they are professional liars!! Let the court & jury decide, don't base it on a gut feeling, because these guys are good at falsifying their way through life.
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Posted by:
L. On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 4:54 PM
Comment Title: I hope you find this guy!!
Bruce owns a house at 609 peyton street in college station, that we rented from him. When we found out what he was being charge for, it didnt take us long to move out. He then started calling us all the time threating us, and leaving nasty voice mails on our phone. I had a funny feeling about this guy, he never wanted to pick up the rent money until my husband was gone! This guy is sick in the head! WHy dont the bails bonds put a lean on all the houses that he owns??
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Posted by:
L.M. On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 4:04 PM
Comment Title: Dang
Ya know, in every school district there is a molestor, male or female. And sometimes they are smart enough to either not get caught or find ways around the law. Schools definitely need to do more in-depth back ground checks. They need to check every possible spelling of their name and last name. But hey, that's my opinion.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 3:23 PM
Comment Title:
Having been a volunteer in Bryan schools for many years, I know that at the beginning of every school year each volunteer has to pass a criminal history check. My kids had Coach Brian as a gymnastics coach and they loved him. I couldn't believe when I read what he was accused of, he seemed to really care about the kids he worked with.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 3:18 PM
Comment Title:
In College Station schools, no ID is checked, you sign in on a computer that is sometimes away from the clerk's desk, and you print off your own name badge. The office staff doesn't ask questions etc., anyone could walk off with your children. In Bryan, volunteers are checked, periodically, NO ONE can enter the schools without giving a Driver's license or ID, and the school officials print the name badge. Stop Bryan bashing and check into College Station's sign in policy. You will be shocked when you learn and know the facts, not biased assumptions. I know I was very shocked and afraid for the children, when I found out.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 3:05 PM
Comment Title:
BISD only checks teachers when they are hired. Never is there a random criminal history check done. Voluteers are checked when they sign up for doing something, but its not done properly and not everyone has to fill one out. So the system fails. Your tax dollar
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Posted by:
Had Enough On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 2:15 PM
Comment Title: I'm Confused?!?!?
If they got collateral and co-signers then why are they going to be out any money? Is this the only guy that has ever skipped bail? My ex-husband skipped bail, got his girl friend to get her parents to put up their home...they lost it and more. He's now with his 5th wife, living in a $600,00.00 home and not working a lick! Got to love the Justice System. These guys bailed him out, didn't care about the public then. And I'm pretty sure his ex-wife isn't supporting him wherever he is!
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 1:24 PM
Comment Title:
Ol Pat Westmoreland (guy in the picture) cant be hurting for money too bad...he looks like he eats all his profits. Rack'em.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 1:19 PM
Comment Title: Good Points
Good points but it is good to proof read before you hit submit. Everyone gets in too big of a hurry these days.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 1:12 PM
Comment Title:
CS day 210. Got in a hurry on the last one b/c I could not believe it. That is how many days in a row this year a CS resident has gotten arrested for drugs.If you really want to tslk about moleststion the rape count is higher.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 1:09 PM
Comment Title:
CS Day 210. That si how many days in a row a CS resident gas gotten arrested for drugs.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 12:54 PM
Comment Title:
Bryan day 7
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 12:51 PM
Comment Title:
Yeah if you lie in dog crap expect to smell like...well....dog crap!
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 12:15 PM
Comment Title: No sympathy
Westmoreland wants Unger caught to make sure he's not preying on anyone else's children??? Please. It didn't seem to bother him to offer that opportunity when they took their fee and got him out of jail. If Alleghany has to pay the bond, then so be it. You lie with dogs, be prepared to wake up with fleas.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 12:04 PM
Comment Title:
With the things going on in Bryan he could be lost in A HUD complex.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 12:02 PM
Comment Title:
Bryan Crime Thug on the run.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 11:49 AM
Comment Title:
Bryan Neal ELEM. I thought we he was from the high school. Does BISD CK their Teachers?
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 11:42 AM
Comment Title:
Call the DOG!!! The Bounty Hunta!!!!
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Posted by:
rainbowpot On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 10:45 AM
Comment Title: AGGIE BONFIRE
How does a piece of trash like Unger survive the bonfire collapse ? It should have landed on him and him only !
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Posted by:
Heather On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 9:58 AM
Comment Title: unger & bail
I for one am glad to hear that they've made it personal. Bail bonding is a business of making calculated risks... just like an insurance company. They take a risk everytime someone walks thru the door who walks out with bail money. I dont' think that's anything they're complaining about, because that business is risky, they see alot of that defaulting I'm sure. But, boy Unger sure made it look like he's guilty by jumping bail. I hope the Westmoreland's find him and bring him back here for his day in court. I think his victims have a right to justice and some closure. As does Unger's family.
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Posted by:
ginny On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 9:34 AM
Comment Title: criminals
well personally i think they should all including judges should be more particular about giving bond to child molesters. and murders. just my opinion and i'm sticking to it.
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Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 9:15 AM
Comment Title: Losing Trust
I for one am glad to see that people still have a general trust in others. I'm sorry that this situation has turned out like this. Some people deserve that trust and some people are just really good liars.
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Posted by:
GrowUp On:
Monday, July 28, 2008 9:00 AM
Comment Title: Waaaaaaa
This just in: People are supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty...in a court of law. So the guy didn't fit your sterotype of a "guilty" person, so you graciously deigned to cover the bond amount and now you're shocked!! that he had jumped...that's the business you're in-pull up your big boy panties and get over it.
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