Politics & Government

Update: Bail Hearing for Molestation Suspect Postponed

Robert Buechner is in jail on 11 felony counts of allegedly molesting a boy who lives in Chula Vista. A hearing on his bail of $500,000 is now due to be held Wednesday.

A Ramona man charged with sex crimes against a teenage Chula Vista resident was both a teacher's aide at a Ramona public school and a volunteer teacher at a local Catholic church.

Robert Buechner, 69, taught catechism classes to children at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Ramona, Patch has confirmed. He was a long time member of the parish and a member of the choir. The class was held after school, usually in the presence of a deacon, Patch has been told.

Buechner is due in court Wednesday to ask for a bail reduction. He is being held at George Bailey Detention Facility. His bail has been set at $500,000.

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He has pleaded not guilty to .

Buechner was arrested March 20 at Ramona High School, where he had worked as a special education teacher's aide, according to the school district.

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The alleged victim is a 15-year-old boy who lives in a group home for at-risk youth in Chula Vista.

Ramona Unified School District Superintendent Robert Graeff told Patch that the arresting officer stated the boy had never attended any Ramona schools.

Buechner resigned from his position at Ramona High when he was arrested. Graeff said he could not comment on whether he was asked to resign or whether he volunteered to do so.

If convicted, Buechner faces a maximum sentence of 9 years and 8 months in a state prison.

His bail hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the South Bay branch of Superior Court.

The preliminary hearing for a trial is due to begin in May. Buechner is currently represented by a public defender. The prosecutor is Deputy District Attorney Karra Reedy.

-- City News Service contributed to this report.


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