A 22-year-old Laramie man faces three felony charges amid accusations that he had a sexual relationship with a thirteen-year-old girl.

Corwin Patrick Bernard is charged with three counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor in the Second Degree. If convicted, Bernard faces a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for each count.

Bernard waived his preliminary hearing which had been set for March 3. The charges now go before Albany County District Court.

According to court documents, police responded to a call on February 18, 2015 of a 13-year-old girl who was thinking of harming herself. Police were notified that the girl had a tablet in her possession. Court documents say the girl was on juvenile probation and was not supposed to have access to the internet without adult supervision. After looking at the tablet, police found conversations between the girl and Bernard. The conversations included messages about wanting to hold and kiss each other “again” and plans for the girl to visit Bernard’s residence when he was alone.

When questioned, the girl told police that she had been speaking with Bernard online for about a year, according to the Affidavit of Probable Cause filed in Albany County Circuit Court on February 23. She said that she had gone to Bernard’s house by herself approximately ten times between August 2014 and January 2015. According to the affidavit, she told police that she and Bernard had intercourse three to five times during that time period. She also told police that they did not tell anyone because they both knew Bernard could get in trouble.

Police executed two search warrants on February 20, one on Bernard’s residence and one on his vehicle. During the search, Bernard arrived home and agreed to speak with officers at the Laramie Police Department. When Bernard was told of the accusations, he told police he thought he knew who they were talking about and gave them the 13-year-old girl’s first name.

Bernard is currently being held at the Albany County Detention Center on a $25,000 cash bond.

An arraignment date where Bernard will enter a plea has not yet been set.

More From KOWB 1290