KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) – The case against a Kearney man accused of sexually assaulting a child is headed to court.

Zachary Cole, 26, is charged with first degree sexual assault of a child. On Wednesday, Cole waived an evidentiary hearing and his case was transferred to Buffalo County District Court for a possible trial.

He is expected to be arraigned on December 20. At a hearing, a suspect usually pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges they face.

Court records show Cole is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old between February and June of this year.

At the prosecutor’s request, a judge sealed an affidavit detailing the case. The court order said the affidavit contained information that could jeopardize the safety of witnesses.

Cole is in the Buffalo County Jail on $1 million bond. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.

If convicted of sexual assault, Cole faces life in prison.

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