A former special education teacher accused of sex acts on a child will be headed to trial next year.
Loren McDonald, 37, appeared in San Diego County Court Wednesday morning for his preliminary hearing. A judge ordered that he be bound over for trial, now set to begin February 3, 2014.
McDonald, who once taught at Olympian High School in Chula Vista, faces 44 years and eight months to life in prison if convicted of the eight counts against him.
Charges include committing a sex crime with a child 10 and under and lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14. McDonald is being held on $2 million bail.
On May 6, McDonald was arrested at his work place on multiple charges. The school immediately placed McDonald on leave.
Sweetwater Union High School District officials say McDonald's victim was not a student at Olympian High School.
Before his trial begins, McDonald will be in court once more for a readiness conference scheduled for January 10, 2014.
