A 59-year-old Roca man who has counseled students at Lincoln High School for nearly 10 years faces a felony charge for allegedly getting a teenager drunk and sexually assaulting him back in 1998.

David A. London turned himself in to investigators Tuesday.

On Thursday, prosecutors filed a charge of sexual assault of a child against him. London stood before Lancaster County Court Judge Mary Doyle with chains around his waist and ankles.

He said he understood the charge and the possible punishment — one to 50 years in prison. He also told the judge he’d hired attorney Craig Wittstruck to represent him.

London is set to return to court in three weeks. At the state’s request, Doyle set bond at $100,000, meaning London would need to post $10,000 to get out of jail.

Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Amy Jacobsen also asked Doyle to include a provision barring him from any contact with his accuser or any child younger than 16.

“This is a serious offense, obviously,” Jacobsen said.

Lancaster County Sheriff Terry Wagner said the investigation started a little more than a month ago, when a 23-year-old alleged London sexually assaulted him at London’s home in Roca in summer 1998.

The man told deputies he was 14 when London gave him beer during a visit to the Roca house. He says he passed out and woke up naked later to find London sexually assaulting him, according to the affidavit for London’s arrest.

Wagner said as soon as it appeared to investigators the allegation was going to be substantiated, they consulted with Lincoln Public Schools. He said they have found no evidence to indicate London has done anything inappropriate at Lincoln High School, where he’s worked as a counselor since 1998.

London has been suspended from work with pay since Tuesday.

Wagner said feelings of shame and humiliation kept the accuser from coming forward earlier, as often is the case with sexual assault allegations.

“As the years have passed, this young man has realized that he needs to report this so that other children aren’t victimized as well,” he said.

Nebraska has no statute of limitations on child sexual assault.

Wagner urged parents to keep an open dialogue with their children so their kids will tell them if anyone tries to entice them or engage in inappropriate conduct.

And he encouraged young people who feel they may have been victimized to contact law enforcement or a trusted adult.

Reach Lori Pilger at 473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com.