Magnet man accused of sexual assault

HASTINGS – A Magnet man faces a felony sexual assault charge after he allegedly had a sexual en - counter with an underage girl near Hastings.

Sage Stolpe, 20, was charged on Aug. 23 in Adams County Court with one count of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, a Class 2 felony that is punishable by up to 50 years in prison.

An initial appearance for Stolpe in Adams County Court has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 15.

According to court documents, Stolpe met the 15-year-old girl through social media.

He drove to Hastings on May 27, picked the girl up and drove to a ru - ral area of Adams County where an alleged sexual encounter occurred inside the parked vehicle.

Stolpe told investigators the encounter was consensual while the girl told investigators the encounter was not consensual.

He also said the girl told him that she was 18 years old and only learned her real age later after the alleged sexual encounter.

Under Nebraska law, nobody under the age of 16 can consent to sexual contact.

The Cedar County Sheriffs' Office assisted in the investigation.