Trial set in Orange in molestation case

ORANGE - A former sheriff's deputy has pleaded not guilty to charges of molesting an Orange County child.

Ryan Matthew McCormack, 26, of Amissville is charged with felony object sexual penetration of a child younger than 13.

McCormack previously worked for the Culpeper County Sheriff's Office and, more recently, the Rappahannock Sheriff's Office for six months.

The Virginia State Police initiated the investigation that led to the charge.

McCormack appeared briefly in Orange Circuit Court on Friday with his attorney, Amy Harper.

Harper entered the plea for him, waiving her client's right to a formal reading of the indictment, which was handed down Jan. 23.

A jury trial was set in the matter for Sept. 21-22. According to the indictment, the crime is alleged to have occurred Dec. 15 in Orange.

The defendant remains free on $15,000 bail. Under the terms of his release, McCormack cannot leave Virginia or have unsupervised contact with minors.