Adam Lawson Woodrum, left, with counsel, Orrin Johnson, at Carson City Justice Court, department II, on Friday.
Carson City Justice of the Peace Melanie Bruketta on Friday denied a motion to increase bail but approved additional conditions of release for a former public attorney charged with lewdness with a child under 16 years of age.
Defendant Adam Lawson Woodrum and defense counsel Orrin Johnson appeared in department II of justice court for the hearing. Woodrum, 46, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for one count of the category B felony, according to NRS. A preliminary hearing was set for 9 a.m. May 22.
Bruketta disagreed with special prosecutor Chelsea Mazza, a deputy district attorney from Douglas County, on increased bail, saying the state hadn’t shown evidence increased bail was necessary to ensure court appearances or to protect the community.
“However, I do believe that it’s important to add additional restrictions on the defendant,” the judge said. “I have reviewed the defendant’s Nevada Pretrial Risk Assessment score. It is a 1. The state does not contest that score. There have been no factors to override that score, but there are conditions — and I think the defendant conceded to these — to ensure his presence and to ensure the protection of the victim.”
Bruketta ordered Woodrum’s passport be surrendered to the Department of Alternative Sentencing. Woodrum must also sign a waiver of extradition; submit to search and seizure, with or without cause, for alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, marijuana and weapons; cannot consume or possess alcohol, drugs, drug paraphernalia, marijuana or weapons; and must wear a GPS ankle monitor when in Northern Nevada.
Johnson said his client’s intention is to reside in Arizona. Johnson inquired if the GPS condition could accommodate travel.
“Well, I’d rather actually say, whenever he’s in Northern Nevada, he has to have that ankle monitor on, so he’d have to check in with the Department of Alternative Sentencing once he gets to this area,” Bruketta said.
Bruketta also asked Woodrum if he understood he cannot contact the victim, as set in previous conditions.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered.
Woodrum worked as Carson City Supervising Deputy Public Defender from April 3, 2024, to Jan. 23, 2025, according to the city.
He was arrested outside the Carson City Costco on Jan. 22, an arrest report shows. An official with the city’s executive office told the Appeal the city couldn’t comment on the defendant’s departure from employment, or that of any former employee, without their consent.
Woodrum also worked for the Nevada Office of the Attorney General from Feb. 20, 2023, to April 3, 2024, said the AG’s Communication Director, John Sadler. Woodrum’s title was deputy attorney general, the office said.
According to the Jan. 21 criminal complaint signed by Mazza, the alleged crime took place on, about or between Aug. 26, 2023, and Aug. 26, 2024, in Carson City. Woodrum is accused of fondling the victim when the victim was 14 or 15 years of age.
According to the Feb. 28 motion to increase bail and impose additional conditions, the defendant posted $20,000 bail shortly after his arrest and has since been in Carson, Reno, Boulder City and Arizona. In the motion, the state asked for the higher bail and additional conditions arguing the defendant was a flight risk and posed a threat to the victim, the community and himself.
Friday, Johnson emphasized his client’s presumption of innocence. Johnson argued despite allegations about his client’s mental health and potential danger, the state presented no evidence Woodrum had violated previous conditions of release. Bruketta acknowledged the court had not received any violation of Woodrum’s pretrial conditions.
“So, the state has not really alleged that Mr. Woodrum is an ongoing danger to the victim and certainly with nothing new as they’re required to do,” Johnson said, adding the defendant was complying under awful circumstances.
Johnson also mentioned Woodrum’s previous service to the community and “zero criminal history except for the one DUI, that was discussed, before he even graduated from law school decades ago.”
Mazza said the 16-year-old victim was the one enduring awful circumstance and that previous conditions of release were not enough.
“I understand that the defendant has appeared here today, but as I’ve told, your honor, if this case moves forward to the prelim, the state is adding additional charges,” said Mazza. “The defendant is facing multiple charges with mandatory prison sentences. He is facing being a sex offender, and the state believes the apparent probability of conviction is very high in this case. The victim who came forward is very prepared to testify and will move forward with this case.”
The victim’s mother made an emotional statement Friday, alleging Woodrum has long been abusive. She said the victim is terrified of Woodrum.
“I understand that that is not what the court is seeing, but I just cannot stand the idea that he sits there in a suit and pretends like he’s an upstanding member of the community,” said the victim’s mother.