Bellaire Salvation Army Maj. Louis Patrick sits in Belmont County Eastern Division Court on Tuesday for his arraignment. T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Bellaire Salvation Army Maj. Louis Patrick was arraigned on a sexual battery charge in Belmont County Eastern Division Court on Tuesday and will next appear in court May 15.

Patrick appeared in front of Eastern Division Judge David Trouten and was represented by Jacob Leach of Shaheen Law Group.

Trouten set Patrick’s next court appearance for 11 a.m. May 15 in Eastern Division Court. He then granted Patrick a recognisance bond with the stipulation that he have no contact with the victim or any of her family.

Patrick was charged with one count of sexual battery in April after the Belmont County Prosecutor’s Office received a complaint from a female worker at the Salvation Army center in Bellaire on April 7. He was charged directly through the Belmont County courts, and the Bellaire Police Department did not arrest Patrick.

Published reports state that a protection order also was issued for the victim.

After he was charged, the Salvation Army Northeast Ohio Division released a statement that said: “Major Patrick has been removed from his position pending the result of his trial. The Salvation Army is doing everything we can to support the person who made these allegations and other staff and volunteers at the Bellaire Corps Community Center who this incident may impact.”

Patrick is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 15.