(MOBILE, Ala.) - Twenty-three-year-old Jacob Johansen entered the courtroom on Wednesday without the prominent mohawk he sported after his arrest. Moment's later, his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, not guilty of a total of 18 counts of sexual abuse to two children close to Johansen, a boy and girl ages 9 and 7.
Prosecutor Nicki Patterson reiterated some of those charges, claims that Johansen had sex with the children and coerced them into having sex with each other.
They are acts prosecutors say were repeated by the little boy at school, sending up a red flag to teachers.
"When we get in court in April, we'll take each charge line by line and see what they present." said Johansen's attorney, Jason Darley.
Darley once again argued for a lower bond, saying the family can't make the $740,000 bond now in place.
Darley contends Johansen is not a risk to the community.
"No, he's not a risk to other children," said Darley. "I mean, Judge McMaken put precautions in place and Judge Hardesty reiterated them. He is not to be put around children."
Darley also claimed that the children's mother had written down statements claiming the children's recollection of the alleged abuse was filled with inaccuracies and gaps. But prosecuting attorney Nicki Patterson sees things just the opposite.
She said it's the age of the children that makes them more believable.
"If you have a very young child who doesn't know anything about sexual experiences and they can provide extensive details about," said Patterson, "the way things feel, the way things smell, how things work and operate. Not something you would have just picked up seeing a picture or something that someone told you, then these are good indicators of something that happened to you."
In the end, the judge failed to reduce the bond, and set April 25, 2012, as the day he'll hear evidence to decide if he will send Johansen's case to a grand jury.
In another development, Assistant D.A. Patterson revealed Johansen's wife has now filed for divorce.
