A corrections officer appeared in a Buchanan County courtroom Friday to face felony charges involving the alleged sexual abuse of a seven-year-old girl over the course of five years.

Roger Briggs, 35, is charged with first-degree sodomy, an unclassified felony which carries a mandatory 30-year minimum sentence and a possible life prison term upon conviction. As we reported, a probable cause statement filed in the case asserts that Briggs “…has been sexually abusive to the victim spanning a 5 year period of time,” and has said in messages that he “…would like to remain in the victim’s life.”

Bail in the case remains set at $75,000 with a $25,000 cash deposit. Associate Judge Keith Marquart read the charge to Briggs during an initial court appearance Friday. Briggs said he has applied for a public defender. He remains behind bars awaiting a preliminary hearing docket call July 14 at 11 am.