By Joseph Bell

Record Staff Writer

Amanda Eckl, a former Elk County Prison corrections officer, was the subject of a preliminary hearing in the office of District Justice George A. King yesterday morning in Johnsonburg.
Eckl has been charged with institutional sexual assault and one count of indecent assault.
"(Eckl) was held to court for both charges," King said. "The cases weren't proven beyond a reasonable doubt and everyone is entitled to a preliminary hearing."
According to King, everyone is entitled to trial by jury.
"That determination is made in a preliminary hearing," King said. King also confirmed Eckl's former status with Elk County Prison.
"She was a corrections officer, I believe, a part-time corrections officer," King said.
The alleged victim of institutional sexual assault and indecent assault was a subpoena witness for District Attorney Bradley Kraus, who is the prosecutor.
"(Harvey) was the inmate obviously, he is no longer incarcerated but, at the time, he was," King said.
Trooper Bruce Barnett, who filed the report against Eckl following an investigation, also attended the hearing.
The initial complaint was filed by the Pennsylvania State Police Department out of Erie from its Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Investigation Division.
According to King, Eckl, who is represented by Nate Schmidt, is to be arraigned August 4 at return day, presided by the Honorable Richard A. Masson, President Judge.
"The judge goes over charges and rights are explained," King said. "(Eckl) will probably waive it. Usually, when someone is already represented by legal counsel, they waive it."
King also said Eckl's bail, which was set at $5,000 unsecured when the charges were filed May 30 at 11 a.m., remains the same.