A former Minot Public Schools paraprofessional facing two felony charges related to inappropriate communications and relationships with students had his request for a bond reduction denied by a North Central District Court judge on Thursday.

Hiroki Ito, 27, Minot, was arrested on Dec. 6 after an investigation into reports made to the administration at Central Middle School by the parents of two alleged victims.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Ito began working at CMS on Oct. 2, and the alleged date of the offenses dated as Oct. 28 based on court records. Ito has been charged with solicitation of a minor-victim under 15-within 50 feet of a school, a Class B felony and promoting obscenity to minors, a Class C felony.

Ito asked Judge Todd Cresap for a reduction of the $60,000 cash or corporate surety bond put in place at his initial appearance on Monday. Ito said he lives with and is the primary caregiver for his mother, who he said suffers from medical issues which make it difficult for her to care for herself.

Assistant Ward County State’s Attorney Logan Simons said the state opposed any reduction of Ito’s bond, having previously requested a bond of $100,000 due to the concerns expressed by the parents and guardians of the three alleged victims in the case.

“The State has reviewed respondents with the point of contact with Jane Doe Number Three, which indicates the families as similar to what they expressed last time; he was in a position of trust and took advantage of that. Jane Doe Number Three is afraid of his release,” Simons said. “More importantly your honor, the reason why the state would absolutely oppose the reduction is I have been informed by our office that a new B felony luring charge is being processed right now.”

According to court records, a separate case has been opened against Ito charging him with a single count of luring minors by computer where the defendant is aged 22 or older and believes the victim to be under the age of 15. The charge was filed sometime on Thursday, but the case is listed as inactive pending his formal arrest and initial appearance. Ito is currently being held in custody at the Ward County Jail. The affidavit of probable cause in the second case is not available to the public at this time.

Cresap told Ito that nothing he had heard during the hearing gave him cause to change the bond, and left the $60,000 bond in place. Cresap encouraged Ito to seek out an attorney, after reconfirming that he did not qualify for a public defender due to a veterans disability pension.

Ito’s preliminary hearing in the first case has been scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16.