Charges against a Palmerton man accused of the aggravated indecent assault of a teenager have been bound over to Carbon County Court.

Rafo Bencun, 67, of 819 Delaware Ave. Apt. C, chose to have a preliminary hearing Wednesday before District Judge William Kissner of Palmerton. Bencun faces charges of aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, and corruption of minors.

Prior to the hearing, a competency hearing was conducted with the alleged victim, a 15-year-old girl who is a special education student.

Kissner determined through the hearing that the alleged victim was competent to provide testimony in the case.

Kissner ruled that Bencun would have his case bound over to the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas. He is scheduled to appear July 2 for a pretrial conference in the district attorney's office at the Carbon County Courthouse in Jim Thorpe.

Bencun remains free in lieu of $75,000 unsecured bail. As part of the release conditions, Kissner ruled that Bencun is entered into the pretrial program through the Carbon County Adult Probation Office and follow all recommendations, and that Bencun is prohibited from entering any Palmerton Borough Park or athletic field.