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Accused child rapist waives preliminary hearing

by Jordan Shefte

The suspect in the sexual assault of a four year Grand Island girl last fall, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Hall County Court Friday day.

26-year-old Abraham Richardson faces charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child, kidnapping, and first-degree assault.

Jordan Shefte was in Grand Island for Richardson's court appearance.

Richardson's waived his right to a preliminary hearing Friday morning. Now his arraignment in district court is scheduled for Tuesday March 13th at 9:00 am.

It is at that arraignment where the suspect will hear his charges read, and enter a plea.

Richardson is being represented by defense attorney Gerry Piccolo.

Again, the charges stem from that incident at the Riverbend Apartment complex in Grand Island back in October.

According to reports, the suspect, fled to a nearby cornfield when someone walking by interrupted the assault.

Police arrested Abraham Richardson in the beginning of January, and he is the sole suspect in the case.

Richardson is no stranger to a criminal life-style, you may say. In fact, he was already in custody facing other charges when he became the main suspect in this case. He was already in federal custody and was being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security on two counts of child pornography. One count is for receipt and distribution of child pornography and the other count is for possession of child pornography.

He had his initial federal court appearance on October 21st, and will be appearing next on April 13th for a change of plea.

He is being held in Saline County.

How those charges will effect this is unknown at this time and how the state and federal charges will fall if he is convicted in both courts.

It is up to the judges to decide the sentencing of the suspect. The sentences can either run concurrently, or consecutively.

And of course we will continue to keep you updated on this case as it proceeds.

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