LOGAN — A 56-year-old Millville man suspected of sexually abusing several teenage girls appeared in 1st District Court Monday.

Dean Ferguson faces eight charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies. Court records show the alleged abuse occurred between January 2012 and April 2013.

Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Mike Peterson said sheriff’s investigators were first notified of the abuse a month ago by the Department of Child and Family Services. Ferguson was arrested May 19. He was released Friday from the Cache County Jail after posting a $25,000 bond.

During Monday’s court appearance, Judge Thomas Willmore set a preliminary hearing for June 26. During that hearing it will be determined if there is enough evidence to try Ferguson on the eight charges he faces.

Originally, Ferguson was charged with one count of sexual abuse of a child and object rape, both first-degree felonies. Peterson said at the time, investigators believed there were additional victims and more charges would be filed.

State attorney Barbara Lachmar said that two girls have come forward and there is a possible third victim. An investigation is continuing.

Ferguson faces five years to life in prison if convicted.

<hr /><p style=”text-align: center;”>will@cvradio.com