A Utica man is accused of having sex with an underage girl in the city, according to the county Child Advocacy Center.
Authorities said Ferris Bell, 34, had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl in Utica, and the incident was reported to law enforcement on Jan. 5. Bell was taken into custody on Tuesday.
Bell is charged with one count of third-degree rape, a class E felony, authorities said. He was arraigned in court and was sent to county jail in lieu of $7,500 cash bail or $15,000 bond.
He is scheduled to reappear in court.
The victim has been offered counseling through the CAC.