Courtesy Photo­Image Edward Maline

Edward Maline, 41, of North Platte was charged Tuesday with first-degree sexual assault of a child, based on the testimony of an alleged victim about incidents over 10 years.

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The female is 19 years old and she said touching and “acts sexual in nature” began when she was as young as 8 or 9 and progressed over the next decade, according to North Platte Police Information Officer Rodney Brown.

Maline, who has been active in community theater, was placed in the Lincoln County Detention Center.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a minimum of 20 years.

Police remind the public that there is no statute of limitations on child sexual assault in Nebraska.

“Often we rely on our school counselors or staff to have conversations with children about inappropriate touching,” Brown said, “but in reality parents or guardians should be encouraging their children to speak about this matter.”

“In this case the crime occurred several years earlier and it was only when the victim matured and grew confident that she was able to disclose to authorities,” he said.