Hearing June 4 for former youth coach

A preliminary hearing is set June 4 for former youth coach Benjamin Thomas Schuler accused of trying to arrange sexual encounters with 13- and 14-year-old girls.

Schuler, 24, appeared briefly Wednesday in East Fork Justice Court with his lawyer, Tod Young. He was silent during the short proceeding.

Young requested the hearing and advised the court it probably would last all day.

At a preliminary hearing, the judge listens to evidence to determine if there is probable cause that a crime was committed by the person accused.

The suspect's guilt or innocence is not determined at that time.

At the end of the hearing, the judge can dismiss some or all of the charges, or bind the defendant over to district court for further proceedings.

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.

If convicted of the most serious offense, the penalty is up to life in prison.

Schuler was released from custody on $25,000 cash bail.

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.

He was paid a stipend by the school district to coach basketball at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School for three years, and was a school volunteer. His contract expired at the end of the basketball season.