A former panhandle police chief was in court today to answer to charges of sexually assaulting a 15 - year - old girl.
52-year- old Mark Lindburg made his first appearance in Box Butte County Court on charges of first- degree- sexual assault and child abuse .
Prosecutors allege the crimes occurred from January to September, 2011, when he was still Hemingford's police chief.
During today's court appearance, Lindburg was denied a bond reduction, and remains jailed on a $100,000 bond.
A preliminary hearing scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m. If convicted Lindburg faces up to 55 - years in prison.