Uniontown man pleads 'not guilty' to child molesting

A Uniontown man entered a "not guilty" plea to charges he sexually molested a 3-year-old girl, effectively sending the case to jury trial.

Derek Holt, 26, pleaded not guilty on felony counts of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child at his arraignment on Friday in a Bourbon County courtroom. If convicted, Holt could be facing 25 years to life in prison.

Bourbon County District Court Judge Mark Ward ordered that Holt can't be eligible to post bond until Friday, because he tested positive for marijuana the day before his preliminary hearing on May 15. He was supposed to become eligible on Tuesday, but Bourbon County Attorney Terri Johnson made a motion to revoke the bond based on the drug test.

Johnson said in court Friday that Holt told officials he did the drug a few weeks prior to the hearing. Ward, who is now overseeing the case, told Holt he'll be back in jail if he tests positive again.

Also, Ward allowed Holt's sister to oversee supervised visits between the defendant and his newborn daughter. However, under conditions of his bond, Holt can't have contact with any other child 18 years or younger.

Holt's trial probably won't start until sometime after July 6, the date Ward set for a hearing of all pretrial motions to be considered in the case.

There are two other cases, which also involve sexual assault, scheduled to be tried before that date.

Holt is accused of inappropriately touching the 3-year-old between Aug. 1 and Sept. 28 at a house in the 400 block of Broadway.