An Augusta police officer has been charged with two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a 14-year-old middle-school girl.

Augusta officer Jerry Dale Ballinger made his first court appearance this past week. Assistant Butler County attorney Cheryl Pierce says Ballinger was released from custody after posting a $50,000 bond. Ballinger doesn’t have a listed phone number.

Authorities allege that the girl was assaulted the first time in April and the second time in June or July in unincorporated Butler County.

Pierce says the preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19.
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Information from: The Wichita (Kan.) Eagle