By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A Hays man pleaded not guilty this week to three sex charges involving two minors.

Andrew Bayle Claude pleaded not guilty Monday in Ellis County District Court to one count each of criminal sodomy, aggravated indecent liberties with a child and aggravated sexual battery.

According to court documents, Claude allegedly had sexual contact with a 15-year-old in December of last year.

He is also accused of forcibly touching a 16-year-old in March.

Claude is also facing six other felony counts, including rape of two other underage girls, in a separate incident that occurred in November of last year.

The court will schedule a hearing in the next few months to determine if both cases can be tried at the same time.

A trial date in both cases could be set for early next year.