Ogallala man convicted in Kearney sex crime case

KEARNEY, Neb. (KSNB) - An Ogallala man will be sentenced in May for a Kearney sexual assault involving a 13-year-old victim.

Court records show 26-year-old Zachary Cole pleaded no contest and was convicted of first degree sexual assault. He will be sentenced in May. The max penalty for that crime is 50 years in prison.

He was originally charged with first degree sexual assault of a child, which carries a max penalty life in prison. Prosecutors amended the charges Monday in a plea agreement.

Court records show Cole, who formerly lived in Kearney, was accused of sexually assaulting the victim between February and June of last year. The assaults happened at a home in north Kearney.

At the request of the prosecution, a judge sealed an affidavit, which has details of the case. The court order said the affidavit contained information which could have jeopardized the safety of witnesses.