NEBRASKA CITY – Otoe County Judge Robert Wester set a $1 million bond Friday for a Tecumseh State Correctional Institute officer who is charged with sexual assault of a child.
Deputy Otoe County Attorney Sarah Wiltse asked for the bond saying 46-year-old Ray Underwood of Syracuse is charged with 18 counts, all felonies. Court records indicate the alleged victim is under the age of 12.
Wiltse: “Given the seriousness of the crimes alleged in the complaint and the nature of the crimes, our office felt the $1 million bond was reasonable.”
Otoe County Public Defender Michael Ziskey asked for a $100,000 bond, saying Underwood is a homeowner established in the community who has held the same job for 11 years.
Wiltse said the bond is needed for the protection of the public.
Underwood appeared in court Friday on video monitor. He told Judge Wester that he is surprised at the number of charges filed against him.
