COLDWATER, MI – Charges have been filed against a suspect in an alleged assault incident that happened last summer.

The Branch County Prosecutor’s Office says 19 year old Orlando Trader of Homer has been arraigned on two counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct. He plead not guilty and is being held in the Branch County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

The alleged victim, a 16 year old girl, told the Branch County Sheriff’s Department that on July 16, 2022 she had been at an underage drinking party in Batavia Township, and was assaulted by Trader.

When investigators questioned Trader, he told them he never had any sexual encounters with the girl.

Trader is scheduled to have a probable cause hearing on February 9th and a preliminary examination on February 14th.