ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Former Martins Ferry volunteer fire chief William Rinderer was indicted Wednesday on one count of gross sexual imposition and pandering of a minor.

Rinderer was scheduled for a preliminary hearing Friday in Belmont County Eastern Division Court before Judge Adam Myser. However, before the hearing, the case was bound over to Belmont County Court of Common Pleas following the indictment.

“He was indicted on Wednesday. There’s very little that we can release, though, just because he has not been sentenced, he’s not entered a plea. He’s just been indicted,” Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan said. “If he were not indicted, we would have had the hearing today. But since he was indicted on Wednesday, there is no need to have the hearing today because the case moves out of the county court and into the Common Pleas Court.”

Flanagan added that Rinderer is currently in the Belmont County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

He said that although bond was set at $75,000, it will now be reviewed by Common Pleas Court, which may determine whether to adjust the amount.

Flanagan said no hearing has been scheduled yet, but he anticipates it could take place Monday.

Rinderer served as fire chief more than 20 years ago and was most recently a member of the volunteer fire department’s Vigilant Station. He is no longer affiliated with the department.

Martins Ferry Fire Department Fire Chief II Justin Smith said the department had no comment on the matter due to the case remaining under investigation.