By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A 20-year-old Hays man who was arrested earlier this month on a number of sex-related charges made his first appearance in court Tuesday.

According to Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees, Andrew Bayle Claude, 20, Hays, was charged with four counts of aggravated criminal sodomy and two counts of rape.

Drees said the two alleged victims are 13, and Claude was 19 at the time of the incident. Claude could face life in prison with no consideration of parole until after 25 years if convicted of the crimes. He would also be required to register as an offender.

The alleged incident occurred in November 2017.

Claude made his first appearance in Ellis County District Court on Tuesday, and he remains in the Ellis County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

The filing of criminal charges are merely allegations of criminal wrong doing, Drees said. The defendant maintains a presumption of innocence unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.