MARION COUNTY — A motion from a 27-year-old Centralia man to be released on home confinement pending the appeal of his child sex assault conviction was denied in Marion County Court Wednesday.

Jerad Peoples failed to appear at his bench trial last month and as he had previously been advised could happen the trial went forward without him.

Peoples was subsequently found guilty of the Class X felony charge against him of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under the age of 13.

Authorities reportedly discovered later that Peoples was in the hospital at the time, but due to his failure to appear at trial, a warrant was issued for his arrest and his $25,000 cash bond was revoked.

Peoples filed a notice in court Wednesday that he will appeal his conviction. He was appointed an appellate defender to represent him in the appeal and his defense attorney on the initial case was allowed to withdraw.