Bar Nunn Man Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Abuse

A Bar Nunn man charged with two counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of incest, has pleaded not guilty.

Jared Gearhart made the plea in Natrona County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Judge Michael Patchen reset his bond at $75,000.

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.

At Gearhart's initial hearing, 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.

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

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.