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Woolery now faces 6 sexual assault charges

Case bound over to District Court

Prosecutors have charged Joshua Woolery, 26, of Sidney, with six felony charges relating to the alleged sexual assault of a minor between the ages of 12 and 16.

A County Court judge bound the case over to District Court on Monday, ruling it appeared the offenses were committed and that there was probable cause to believe Woolery committed them.

He is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Throughout the hearing, Woolery – who wore shackles and an orange inmate jump suit – sat with his head looking directly down. Twice, as law enforcement officers testified about interviews prior to the defendant arrest, he briefly looked up.

Cutris Hofrock, a Sidney Police Department sergeant, told the court that on Oct. 2, a member of the teen's family contacted him at the police station and told him "something bad was happening."

After talking with the family and interviewing the teen, police made contact with Woolery.

Sidney Police Lt. Keith Andrew said Woolery told him he had three separate sexual encounters with the teen and described the events.

During cross examination, Woolery's attorney, Michael Samuelson, asked the lieutenant how many times his client had been interviewed.

Andrew said police spoke briefly to the defendant at his residence and then interviewed him at the police station.

County Court Judge Randin Roland said based on the totality of evidence, all six charges would be bound over to Cheyenne County District Court.

An arraignment is scheduled in District Court for Nov. 4 at 8:30 a.m.

 

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