MONROE — Bond has been reduced slightly for the boyfriend of a missing Monticello mother on one of the charges against him that are unrelated to her disappearance.
The bond reduction to $5,000 came during a hearing Tuesday before a Rock County judge on one of several felony cases against Derek Hammer. He has paid $10,000 thus far toward his total bond but still has yet to come up with an additional $15,000 to get out pending trial on the three felony cases, officials said.
A pre-trail conference is scheduled in the case for 8:30 a.m. on March 7. Hammer faces the charges amid lingering suspicion related to the disappearance of his former girlfriend, Melissa Trumpy. He remains in Green County jail.
Hammer faces a host of felony charges in Green County and elsewhere, including bail jumping, possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of THC with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug trafficking place, and possession of a firearm as a felon.
Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen has consistently argued against reducing Hammer’s bond in his cases, arguing that Hammer poses a flight risk. But even if he does post the required amount, the judge also ruled for conditions of bond that include him having no contact with Melissa Trumpy or her family.
He also can’t consume alcohol or drugs and must not leave Carroll or Stephenson Counties in Illinois. What’s more, Hammer is restricted from travel North of Wis. 11 in Green County, and may only be present in Dane County to have contact with his attorney, according to court records.
Benny Affrunti, the father of two of Trumpy’s young children, says he hopes Hammer never gains his freedom, even temporarily. The school-aged children of Trumpy are scared because they have been subpoenaed to testify in one of the cases against Hammer.
Affrunti said he thinks Hammer has been playing the legal system throughout his life not only in this area but previously while living in Nevada.
“I don’t know if it his family’s influence, wealth and political pull or his organized crime connections but it is like Derek’s got a license to break the law any way he wants…” said Affrunti.
At this point, Hammer remains innocent of the crimes currently charged against him; and of any related to Trumpy’s disappearance. He has been represented in court by defense attorney Thomas Witt.
Friends and family members have long suspected that Hammer had something to do with the disappearance of Trumpy, of Monticello, who was also charged with various felonies stemming from her time with Hammer.
Hammer is thought to be among the last people to see Trumpy. She has been missing since October 2021. Authorities said the 37-year-old set out in her car for Hammer’s home in Shannon, Ill., where Hammer also faces felony charges. Numerous searches were conducted to find her by officials and volunteers. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Dept. and Stephenson County Sheriff’s office in Illinois are among the numerous agencies assisting in the probe.