A former South Summit art teacher has been arraigned on felony charges that say he sodomized a 14-year-old boy at a motel last month.
Francis Everett Nichols, 44, of Oakley, appeared Wednesday before 5th Circuit Judge James Shumate on charges of forcible sodomy and dealing in material harmful to a minor. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for April 2.As part of an agreement with the Washington County attorney's office, Nichols voluntarily turned himself in at the county jail and was then released by the court.
Bail was listed on an arrest warrant as $25,000, but jail personnel had the figure at $12,000.
If convicted of both charges, Nichols could face life in prison and fines of up to $15,000.
Deputy County Attorney Brent Langston strenuously objected to personal recognizance release for Nichols, saying the prosecutor`s office never made an agreement for release.
Langston said Nichols is charged in Summit County with one count of felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child and three counts of dealing in material harmful to a minor. A preliminary hearing in that case is set for March 26.
But defense attorney Brad Rich said Nichols is now an in-patient at Charter Canyon Hospital, is seeking treatment and plans to adhere to every order of the court. He said Nichols would stay away from his alleged victims if released.