MARSHALL — A Balaton man was charged with criminal sexual contact Wednesday in Lyon County District Court. A criminal complaint alleges the man had sexual contact with four victims while he was a church youth group leader in Balaton.

Court records said Ethan Lennen Nelson, 35, appeared in a Zoom hearing Wednesday morning. Nelson is charged with three counts of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third degree criminal sexual conduct.

A criminal complaint alleges that, during a period of time from around 2014 to 2018, Nelson had sexual contact with four girls under the age of 18. At the time, Nelson was serving in a youth group leadership role at Victory Church in Balaton, the complaint said. The complaint alleges Nelson sent inappropriate texts and nude photos to the victims, touched victims inappropriately and had sexual contact with them.

The complaint said Nelson served as a youth group leader at Victory Church from about 2011 to 2020.

All four criminal sexual conduct charges against Nelson are felonies. Documents filed in Lyon County District Court on June 30 said the Lyon County Attorney’s Office intends to seek aggravating sentencing for Nelson.

Bail for Nelson was set at $60,000 cash or bond without conditions, or release with conditions including that he remain law-abiding, and have no contact with witnesses or the alleged victims, court records said. Court records said a future hearing date for Nelson was set for August 19.