A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this month for a 37-year-old St Joseph man accused of having sex with a girl under the age of 12.

Gordon Mack Stone II had his first appearance Tuesday on one count of 1st degree statutory rape. Associate Judge Keith Marquart scheduled a status hearing January 22 to ensure that Mr Stone has legal representation. Judge Marquart scheduled a preliminary hearing January 29.

According to court documents filed in the case, Mr Stone was responsible for the child’s care at the time of the alleged sexual assault. Investigators say he had sexual intercourse with the child victim multiple times over the course of several months through October of last year.

Mr Stone is being held in the Buchanan County Jail, unable to post $25,000 bail.