Jan 9, 2013 2 min read

A 20-year-old McDonald man will stand trial for allegedly having sex with a 13-year-old girl last fall.

Eric N. Openbrier, of 411 W. Lincoln Ave., was ordered to stand trial on charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors and indecent assault following a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Washington County Central Court.

Openbrier is accused of having sex with the girl whom he had previously known after contacting her via a message on Instagram. They began conversing, and the girl agreed to meet him Nov. 25.

On Nov. 26, the girl agreed to go to Openbrier’s apartment, where they had consensual sex. They again had sex the next day. Afterward, Openbrier and the girl remained in contact through texts, in which Openbrier told the girl he didn’t want to go to jail for statutory rape, and if she was asked about their relationship, she should deny everything.

The girl said she never told Openbrier her age but he knew how old she was because he was friends with her family and they went to the same school district.

Police were notified by the girl’s family when they learned about the contact. Openbrier will remain free on $50,000 unsecured bond while awaiting trial.