Holscher Waives Preliminary Hearing; Sex Assault Case Will Be Bound Over For Trial

The former civilian victim services coordinator for the Casper Police Department, accused of sexually assaulting a woman, waived his preliminary hearing in Natrona County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Judge Steven Brown said.

James R. Holscher, 47, was arrested Nov. 21 after a Natrona County Sheriff’s Office investigation determined that in June he sexually assaulted a woman recuperating from hip surgery at the Garden Square assisted living center, according to the affidavit with the Natrona County Circuit Court.

Holscher was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, according to court documents.

If convicted, Holscher faces up to 20 years imprisonment for the count of sexual assault, and up to 10 years imprisonment for the count of exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Because both counts are felonies, he did not enter pleas during his initial appearance two weeks ago. He was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing during which prosecutors show whether probable cause exists that a crime was committed and the accused committed it. If a judge agrees, the case goes to state district court for trial.

A trial date has not been set.

Holscher is free on $10,000 bond.

The case began on June 26 when a Casper police officer responded to a call from a woman at Garden Square, 1950 S. Beverly St., regarding a sexual assault by Holscher, according to the affidavit.

Because Holscher was a civilian employee of the City of Casper in the police department, the case was turned over to the sheriff’s office.

Casper Police Chief Jim Wetzel said Holscher was terminated from the police department in July.

After Holscher's arrest, Wetzel said the allegations were "beyond disgraceful."