Former Hemingford Police Chief Mark Lindburg has entered not guilty pleas to felony sexual assault of a minor and felony child abuse.

Lindburg appeared in Box Butte County District Court Wednesday morning after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing on Tuesday in county court.

Lindburg’s request to have his bond reduced from $100,000 to $10,000 was denied by Judge Travis O’Gorman, who stated that the bond would continue due to the seriousness of the charges.

Pubic Defender Dave Eubanks told the judge that Lindburg was not a flight risk because he has known about the pending charges for 18 months but has not fled from the area. Without a public explanation, Lindburg resigned as Hemingford Police Chief in November, 2011, and found employment working in security in Scottsbluff.

However, the state attorney general’s office opposed the bond reduction due to the serious nature of the charges.

The 52-year-old Lindburg remains in custody. His trial is set for the April 29 jury term.