McPHERSON — The former Inman police chief is headed for trial on charges he molested four children.

Mike Akins Jr., 38, appeared Friday in McPherson County District Court for a preliminary hearing on 19 criminal counts alleging he sexually abused three girls and one boy, ages 9 to 14, between December 2008 and December 2009, while he was police chief.

Akins was arrested Jan. 13 and remains free on $250,000 bond. He has been suspended without pay from his job as police chief. His arraignment is scheduled for April 20.

A 14-year-old girl and her 13-year-old brother testified Friday that Akins touched them inappropriately. The boy also said he saw Akins touch his three sisters in the same manner.

Retired Sedgwick County District Court Judge Ronald Innes, who presided over the hearing, found probable cause to proceed to trial, saying the evidence "shows a course of conduct" by Akins.