A 27-year-old North Platte man is facing sexual assault charges after he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl.

On August 10, at around 2:00 a.m., a woman contacted police regarding a relationship her teenage daughter was in with an older man.

The mother told police that she learned about the relationship and suspected that her daughter and Thomas Knapp may have had sexual intercourse.

According to Investigator John Deal, the teen was interviewed and admitted that she and Knapp had sex at a residence in the 200 block of South Chestnut Street.  Deal says officers were able to obtain evidence that supported the allegation against Knapp.

Later in the day, officers made contact with Knapp at the residence on South Chestnut and questioned him.  Deal said Knapp exhibited suicidal behavior and,  as a result, was placed in emergency protective custody and was taken to Great Plains Health for an evaluation.

On August 12, Knapp was released from GPH and taken into custody.  He was jailed and charged with felony 1st-degree sexual assault of a child.

Nebraska law prohibits anyone 19-years-old or older from having sexual intercourse with anyone under the age of 16.

Bond for Knapp has been set at ten percent of $250,000.