A man appeared in Natrona County District Court Thursday afternoon and denied three criminal charges based on allegations that he sexually abused a six-year-old girl in 2010.

Christopher Terrance Coffey pleaded not guilty before District Judge Thomas Sullins to charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree and sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree. He could face up to 85 years in prison if convicted on all three counts.

Charging papers say the case was assigned to a detective of the Casper Police Department in late February after a police sergeant reviewed a report containing the allegations from the Wyoming Department of Family Services.

On March 2, the alleged victim participated in a forensic interview at the Children's Advocacy Project and detailed the alleged abuse.

Coffey was interviewed by police in early May. He initially denied the allegations, but after failing a polygraph exam, he allegedly admitted that he abused the girl.

Coffey also told police that he previously spent time in prison.

Police arrested Coffey on May 18.

On Thursday, public defender Curtis Cheney asked Sullins to reduce Coffey's bond.

 

Assistant District Attorney Dan Itzen opposed the idea, saying that Coffey had previously faced felony charges and failed to appear for court hearings.

Sullins declined to reduce the bond, leaving it set at $100,000 cash or surety.

The case has been assigned to the Oct. 1 trial stack.

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