HOLLIDAYSBURG — Bail at $750,000 cash remains intact for the former Bellwood-Antis Middle School wrestling coach accused of sexually assaulting three youths, including two on school grounds.

Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller on Monday turned down Ryan Andrew Blazier’s request for revised bail on child rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child, aggravated indecent assault and related charges.

Defense attorney Thomas M. Dickey asked for the change after the 39-year-old Blazier waived his preliminary hearing, allowing all charges to move to Blair County Court.

In seeking the bail change, Dickey described the $750,000 cash bail as punitive and excessive. He also referenced current jail conditions in light of the coronavirus. Last week, county public defenders asked for bail revisions on behalf of 62 inmates subjected to crowded and shared living conditions in a facility where the coronavirus could spread.

Assistant District Attorney Nichole Smith told Miller that she opposed any bail change. Miller set the $750,000 cash bail on Feb. 27, and since then, four additional charges were added, Smith said.

After new details were rendered by one of the victims relative to a Jan. 15 or 16 incident, state police at Hollidaysburg added criminal charges of institutional sexual assault, indecent assault and two counts of witness intimidation.

Dickey, who rendered not-guilty pleas to all charges on behalf of his client, is stressing that his client retains his innocence and that it’s wrong for anyone to jump to conclusions.

Referring to the bail amount, Dickey told Miller: “In essence, you’ve found him to be guilty.”

Miller later responded: “I’m not finding him guilty. I’m setting bail based on criminal court procedures.”

Dickey said he intends to again challenge the bail.

Smith also objected to a bail change because Blazier, if convicted, faces 20 to 40 years in prison, an amount that would be an incentive to flee.

“We don’t believe that’s accurate,” the defense attorney said about Smith’s conclusion.

By waiving Blazier’s preliminary hearing, Dickey retains the option to file a motion about Blazier’s charges in county court, contesting charges based on forthcoming evidence. If he follows through, then the preliminary hearing rules of conduct, including use of hearsay, will be permitted, according to Smith and First Assistant District Attorney Pete Weeks.

Blazier, who has been in Blair County Prison since his Feb. 27 arrest, is accused of sexually assaulting two 13-year-old boys in a small room used for wrestling training at the middle school.

In addition, he is charged with sexually assaulting a girl in Antis Township over a five-year period, starting when she was 3 years old.

While the state Supreme Court has ordered cancellations of several court procedures to reduce the spread of coronavirus, Blazier’s preliminary hearing fit into the group of proceedings that can be held as scheduled.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.