His attorney John S. Young had requested a bond reduction, saying $10 million was excessive for the charges.
At the hearing Wednesday, Callahan County District Attorney Shane Deel asked the judge to deny the request, saying Hawkins was a flight risk.
Several House of Yahweh members testified that Hawkins would pose no threat to them or the community if he were released. Hawkins, who wore an orange jail jumpsuit but not handcuffs or leg shackles, testified that he would attend all future court appearances.
"I'm just not going to leave, period," said Hawkins, 73.
State District Judge John Wilson Weeks reduced his bond to $25,000 for each of the four counts and said Hawkins had to surrender his passport, stay within a three-county region and check in with a probation officer monthly.
Hawkins, a former Abilene police officer, founded the Old Testament-based sect in 1980 after changing his name from Bill to Yisrayl. Several hundred members of the group now live on a compound in Callahan County east of Abilene.
