The arraignment of former youth coach Benjamin Schuler is scheduled for this morning in Douglas County District Court on charges he tried to arrange sexual encounters with 13 and 14-year-old girls.
Schuler, 24, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in East Fork Justice Court on July 2.
At an arraignment, formal charges are read, and the accused either admits or denies the charges. If Schuler denies the charges, Judge Dave Gamble could set a trial date.
Schuler, formerly employed as a Douglas County school district basketball coach, is charged with lewdness with a child under 14, luring a child with the intent to engage in sexual conduct and luring a child.
He is accused of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old girl through her clothing on Jan. 22; sending an e-mail to the same girl on Feb. 24 trying to entice her to come to his home to engage in sexual conduct; and asking a 14-year-old between Jan. 17-Feb. 5 to sneak out of her home and "hang out" with him.
He was arrested on Feb. 25. Schuler was released from custody after posting $25,000 cash bail on March 3.
If convicted of the most serious offense, the penalty is up to life in prison.
Bail conditions include no contact with the alleged victims, no alcohol or controlled substances, subject to random search and seizure for controlled substances, alcohol or child pornography, electronic monitoring, no weapons and supervision by the Department of Alternative Sentencing.
