A Fremont man accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in Novato pleaded not guilty Monday.
Omar Shirkhan, 20, entered remains in custody at the Marin County Jail, where his bail amount is set at $500,000. His public defender, Dominik Taylor, declined to comment after the court hearing.
Novato police arrested Shirkhan last month on allegations he contacted a girl through social media, claimed to be 15 years old and set up a meeting. She told police he assaulted her in a parked vehicle.
The Marin County District Attorney’s Office charged Shirkhan with several felonies, including rape, unlawful intercourse with a minor and lewd behavior.
Judge Kevin Murphy set the next hearing for March 26, potentially to schedule a preliminary examination of the evidence.