Former youth coach set for district court

Former youth coach Benjamin Thomas Schuler is to appear July 13 before District Judge Dave Gamble on charges he tried to arrange sexual encounters with 13- and 14-year-old girls.

Schuler waived his right Friday to a preliminary hearing in East Fork Justice Court. He did not appear, but the waiver was delivered by attorney Tod Young.

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.

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.

Prosecutor Erik Levin said Friday no plea agreement had been reached, but the parties were still negotiating.

"For the victims, the young girls, I am glad the preliminary was waived so they wouldn't have to testify. That would have been a difficult thing to do," Levin said.

He declined to say whether additional victims had come forward since Schuler's arrest.

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.

According to the department, Schuler owed $1,855 in house arrest and monitoring fees.

Schuler 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.