Gage Markgraf Pleads Not Guilty To First Degree Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

A Natrona County man is accused of impregnating an underaged girl.

Gage Merkgraf has pleaded not guilty to one charge of first degree sexual abuse of a minor.

The Natrona County Sheriff's Office says in June 2015, they were notified by the Wyoming Department of Family Services that a girl was pregnant, and Merkgraf was the father.

The DFS added that at the time of conception, the girl was 12, and Merkgraf was 17.

When interviewed, the girl said Merkgraf was a friend of the family, and the sexual encounter took place in January 2015.

Some time later, she felt the baby move, so she went to a doctor who confirmed that she was pregnant.

She eventually gave birth, and investigators collected DNA samples from the girl, the baby and Merkgraf.

The Wyoming Crime Lab said they had a 99.99% degree of certainty that Merkgraf was the father.

Merkgraf is free on $15,000 bond awaiting trial, and he could face up to 50 years in prison if convicted.