FARMINGTON – A New Vineyard man facing several sex charges in a case involving a juvenile girl had his cash bail lowered from $50,000 to $10,000 after his appearance Monday in South Paris District Court.

Gerald S. Fletcher, 48, also could post $100,000 in real estate rather than cash as bail.

Fletcher remained in the Franklin County jail in Farmington on Monday afternoon on charges of gross sexual assault, visual aggression against a child and unlawful contact.

Franklin County Sheriff’s Detective David St. Laurent said he arrested Fletcher on Friday after an interview.

All three charges are felonies, with gross sexual assault alone punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

St. Laurent said he received a referral from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services on Nov. 3 and launched an investigation.

A family member had found an explicit picture, and it appears to be the victim, St. Laurent said.

The child was interviewed and Fletcher turned himself in to deputies after a warrant was issued for him, the detective said.

The incident allegedly occurred in summer this year, St. Laurent said.

The detective was assisted by Deputy Heidi Gould and Sgt. Steven Lowell.

Two of Fletcher’s computers were seized during the investigation, St. Laurent said.