Ex-Principal Waives Preliminary Hearing In Sex Abuse Case

The former principal of Snake River Junior High School was back in court Thursday morning. Christopher Cox, charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor child under 16, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday.

This time, Cox, 38, wasn?t in a jail jumpsuit, but a three-piece suit, making an appearance of less than five minutes at the Bingham County Courthouse.

Cox?s attorney, Justin Olsen, told Judge Charles Roos his client would waive the hearing. In fact, as Roos called the case, Olsen took the defense table alone to speak on behalf of Cox. But Roos said Cox needed to be in the courtroom despite waiving his preliminary hearing. He said Cox needed to be informed of the continuation of a no-contact order meant to keep him from communicating with the victim and her family in this case.

Cox’s next court appearance will be in front of District Court Judge Darren Simpson at 1 p.m. on April 2.

“I will extend the no-contact order that’s been in effect in this matter until that date,? said Roos.

The alleged victim in the case was 14 years old at the time she told police a relationship occurred between herself and Cox.

In a detailed case file obtained by our station, police said the girl moved out of state. According to the report, the encounters between Cox and her occurred on school property and her home.