A Bar Nunn man is charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of incest.

Jared Gearhart heard the charges against him during his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court on Monday.

Judge Michael Patchen set his bond at $100,000.

First-degree sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by between 25 and 50 years imprisonment. Incest is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Schafer, recommended the high bond, saying first-degree sexual abuse of a minor is the most serious charge of sexual assault the state can file against a person.

Gearhart's attorney Zak Szekely, however, recommended a bond of half that, saying his client has no criminal history. Gearhart could wear an ankle bracelet to keep working, Szekely said.

But Schafer responded the minimum sentence is 25 years imprisonment if he is convicted on just one of the counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, and the temptation to flee while on bond would be high. Considering the alleged crime, Schafer added, Gearhart poses a great risk to the community.

Patchen agreed. He appointed a public defender for Gearhart, who probably will have a preliminary hearing next week to determine whether there is probable cause to bind his case over for trial in Natrona County District Court.

According to the affidavit accompanying the criminal information document, Natrona County Sheriff's deputies took a report at their office on Thursday from a girl who said she had been sexually abused.

On Friday, the girl was interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Project and told of the abuse on July 18 and Sept. 21, according to the affidavit.

Gearhart went to the Sheriff's Office later that day, and confessed to the incident.

Deputies arrested him and booked him into the Natrona County Detention Center.

More From K2 Radio