A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month for a 45-year-old St Joseph man accused of getting an underage girl pregnant.

James L. Nolan is charged with statutory rape in the second degree, a class C felony.

Officials say the sexual acts occurred three years ago, and the victim only recently became cooperative with authorities.  A child was born February 8, 2011.

Nolan was arrested over the weekend.

He has been released on $7,500 bond.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 14.

According to a court affidavit, Nolan is charged for having sexual intercourse several times, knowing her age was under 17, between 2/1/09 and 7/5/2010.