News Photo by Julie Riddle Defendant Nathan Benton waits to hear testimony about accusations he sexually assaulted a child during a court hearing in Alpena on Thursday.

ALPENA — A man accused of sexually assaulting a child heard accusations from his alleged victim in Alpena’s 88th District Court on Thursday.

During a preliminary exam — at which a judge decides if there is enough evidence for a case to continue to trial — a 10-year-old girl described repeated sexual abuse by Nathan Benton, now 36, when the girl was around 8 years old.

The News does not identify alleged victims of sexual assault.

Benton is charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13 by a person older than 17, accosting a minor for immoral purposes, and aggravated indecent exposure.

If found guilty, he faces up to life in prison.

Benton denies the allegations, according to defense attorney Matt Wojda.

According to the girl, she and Benton had regular sexual encounters in Benton’s home.

She told her mother about the relationship in November because she was afraid of people finding out about it, the girl said.

The exam will be continued in mid-February, when Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski is expected to present two more witnesses and the defense will have opportunity to rebut evidence presented.

Benton was a volunteer at Cathro Baptist Church in Alpena Township, including involvement in children’s ministry. He has not been involved in any church ministries or attended church since his arrest, according to Paul Frey, pastor of the congregation.

Frey said the church screens volunteers who work with children, and Benton was trusted as a volunteer.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that the alleged victim testified she told her mother about the alleged abuse in November. That information was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.