News File Photo Theodore Beck is pictured in the 53rd Circuit Court in Presque Isle County.

ROGERS CITY — Theodore Beck, 65, had a status conference hearing at the 53rd Circuit Court on Monday, where it was announced that new charges are expected to be filed in the next week.

Beck is charged with four counts of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct.

In May, The News reported that the MSP Alpena Post was contacted regarding an alleged sexual assault complaint against Beck. The alleged assaults were reported to have occurred in Rogers City over a span of several months.

The News does not not use the names of victims of sexual assault.

The News reported in June that Beck was seen in Presque Isle County’s 89th district court for a pre-trial hearing regarding the charges against him. During that hearing, Beck’s attorney, Matt Wojda, informed Judge Michael Ekdahl that there were ongoing discovery issues and asked for the preliminary examination to be adjourned until July.

Ekdahl had informed Beck that he has the right to a preliminary examination within 21 days of his arraignment, and that the new examination date would lie outside of the prescribed 21 days.

Following the hearing in June, Beck waived his preliminary examination in the 89th District Court in Presque Isle. Afterwards, his case was bound over to the 53rd Circuit Court.

On Monday, Judge Aaron Gauthier said he spoke with counsel in chambers about the timing of new charges being filed and it looks like that is on the verge of happening in the next week or so.

Prosecuting Attorney Zakary McLennan confirmed that to be the case. The kind and number of charges were not said.

Defense Counsel Matt Wojda requested a Zoom hearing for Beck’s next appearance.

The status conference on the pending bond violation will be continued, Gauthier said. Since there have been no further problems in regards to the bond violation, he allowed a Zoom appearance. Beck allegedly violated his bond by coming into contact with the complaining witness, according to an Aug. 11 hearing. The status conference on that violation has been continued since.

Beck’s next hearing will be at 9 a.m. on Feb. 2.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.