MODESTO -- A judge Wednesday scheduled a preliminary hearing May 6 for a 68-year-old Coulterville man accused of sexually abusing a girl in Stanislaus County 25 years ago.
The preliminary hearing for Phinas Orby Hatton is expected to last a few hours, the attorneys told Superior Court Judge Linda McFadden.
At the end of the hearing, the judge will determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
Hatton remains free on bail as he awaits prosecution.
The defendant is charged with one count of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14 years old.
Hatton initially was facing four other sexual child abuse charges in alleged acts dating to 1969, which since have been dismissed because they didn't fall within the statute of limitations.
Hatton is a former Modesto police officer, according to city records. He worked for the department from 1966 until 1981, when he resigned, records show.
There is no indication that Hatton committed crimes with a child he encountered while working as a police officer.
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