A Lincoln man entered a not guilty plea Tuesday, Jan. 6 to charges that he made inappropriate contact with a victim who was under 14 years old.

41-year-old Edward H Hardesty entered his plea during his initial appearance Tuesday afternoon in Benton County Circuit Court to three charges of statutory sodomy. A probable cause statement accuses Hardesty of approaching a juvenile girl at a home in the county after she had showered. According to the statement from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Hardesty inappropriately touched the girl at least three times during the encounter just after Christmas. Deputies say the victim and her father reported the incident after deputies had been called to a verbal disturbance last week at the home, which led to deputies arresting Hardesty.

Hardesty remains in the Benton County Jail on $100,000 cash only bond. A bond hearing is scheduled for the morning Tuesday, Jan. 13.