First appearance held on new Todd Fort charges
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A preliminary hearing was set for 1 p.m. April 7 on the new charges filed against Todd Fort March 18.
A first appearance was held Friday afternoon, which resulted in the setting of the preliminary hearing date.
Prosecutors believe the incidents that triggered the latest charges took place March 20, 2010, March 27, 2010 and April 3, 2010, all just before the former intern turned 17, according to the formal charges. The new charges all contend Fort had a position of authority over the intern . Sexual activity with a 16-year-old is a Class 2 felony unless aggravating factors like the perpetrator being in a position of authority over the victim can be shown, in which case the charges may be filed as a Class 1 felony.
The state has had evidence of the activity that led to the latest charges for several months, but held off on filing the charges until the completion of the investigation, according to a news release from State's Attorney Mike Henshaw.
Earlier charges had all contended activity after the intern turned 17, but before she was 18, which would be criminal activity due to Fort's supervisory position over the intern at the Saline County Sheriff's Department.
Fort, 44, the former chief deputy and School Board president, was arrested July 19 and charged with several counts of sexual assault and official misconduct. The current charges bring the sexual assault and official misconduct charges to 17.
A May 4 trial date has been set in the matter. It is not yet known how the new charges will affect the trial date.
Fort remains held at the Jackson County jail on $500,000 bond.