Bond has now been set for accused killer Vennie Leroy Keaton.

According to information on the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office website his bond has been set at $280,000.

Keaton had been named a “person of interest” in the death investigation of a co-worker – 32 year old Melissa Leann Hudgins – whose body was found on the campus of Gadsden State Cherokee Wednesday morning, November 28th.

Her body was discovered around 9:00am in a mechanical room in the arena area.

She and Keaton both worked as contract employees for the company providing janitorial services to the college.

Keaton was arrested last Friday morning at around 10:30 in Cookeville Tennessee – by members of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force & other agencies including the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Centre Police Department and District Attorney’s Office.

He was placed under arrest on a first degree theft of property charge that day – with the charge of murder being brought Monday (December 3rd) at around 3:00pm.

Keaton currently remains in the Cherokee County Detention Center.