By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 26-year-old Houston, Texas, man who is facing allegations of child sex abuse will be allowed to travel back to Texas while awaiting the conclusion of his case in Shelby County after a judge agreed to modify the conditions of his bond in late August.

Shelby County District Court Judge Daniel Crowson granted a leave of court request from attorneys for Donald Lee Lamp on Aug. 30, allowing Lamp to travel out of state. The original conditions of Lamp’s bond did not allow out-of-state travel.

The Alabaster Police Department arrested Lamp, who lists an address on Stonehaven Drive in Houston, on Aug. 28 and charged him with one felony count of sexual abuse of a child younger than 12.

The charge was tied to a June 27 incident, during which Lamp allegedly asked the victim to “pull and squeeze on a hangy thing in his pants,” according to his arrest warrant.

Sexual abuse of a child younger than 12 is a Class B felony, meaning Lamp could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted of the crime.

Lamp was released from the Shelby County Jail the same day he was arrested after posting the $30,000 bond, and a condition of his bond requires him to remain in Alabama.

On Aug. 29, Lamp’s attorney filed the request to allow Lamp to travel back to Texas while awaiting the conclusion of his case, writing Lamp “is disabled and has the need during the pendency of this case to travel home for health, family and therapy needs in Texas,” and claimed Lamp “is not a flight risk.”

Lamp is set to appear in court on Sept. 20 for a preliminary hearing.