photo by: Chris Conde/Journal-World

The Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, 111 E. 11th St., is pictured Sept. 15, 2018.

A 35-year-old Lawrence man was charged Wednesday in Douglas County District Court with sexual battery of a 16-year-old girl.

The man, Isaiah Jamin Duckworth, faces one felony count of aggravated sexual battery of a person who is overcome by force or by fear. The incident is alleged to have occurred Tuesday. Duckworth was arrested around 4:15 p.m. that day in the 300 block of Maine Street.

Duckworth appeared in court Wednesday, when Assistant District Attorney Christen Secrest asked the court to set a bond of $50,000 cash or surety. She said that Duckworth has not lived in Lawrence for long, has pending firearm charges in California and, because of the serious nature of the sexual battery charge, may be a flight risk. Judge Blake Glover followed the recommendation of the state and ordered a $50,000 cash or surety bond.

Duckworth asked for a lower bond that would allow him to get out of jail and return to work. Duckworth said he was in the process of resolving his charges in California and has a hearing there next month.

“I didn’t do this. I’ve never done anything like this in my life,” Duckworth said of the charge.

Glover said that Duckworth, if convicted, could face up to 136 months, or more than 11 years, in prison, depending on his criminal history. Glover appointed attorney Branden Smith to represent Duckworth.

The Journal-World has requested Duckworth’s booking photo from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.