Trial date set in molestation case

A trial date has been set for a Cloverdale man accused of child molesting.

Jeffrey L. Baker, 50, has been in jail since his Dec. 5 arrest. He is charged with Class A child molesting and Class C misdemeanor child molesting. Judge Matthew Headley set Baker's bond at $50,000 cash only.

Baker's jury trial has been set for May 13. He will be in court for a final pretrial conference on April 23, and the deadline for any plea agreement to be filed in the case is April 16.

The charges against Baker stem from an investigation conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and the Putnam County Department of Child Services.

The alleged victim told case workers two incidents of molestation had happened: One in the home she shared with Baker and one in the semi Baker drove for a living.

Baker eventually admitted to police officers that the allegations were true, court records said. Baker told officers he had a problem and that he had been dealing with it for several years. He also said he needed help.

If convicted on both charges, Baker could be sentenced to 58 years in prison.