A 16-year-old boy is facing life in prison for the alleged sexual assault of a post office letter carrier.

The Benton Harbor boy appeared in court Monday on charges of Kidnapping and Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 2nd Degree.

The Kidnapping charge carries a life maximum while Criminal Sexual Conduct carries a 15 year maximum. However, he first needs to be charged as an adult, which the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office has requested. A decision on that will be made April 18.

The teen is accused of forcibly dragging a United States Post Office letter carrier to the side of the home he lived in and sexually assaulted her. He was later arrested at his home and is currently lodged at the Berrien County Juvenile Detention Center on $125,000 bond.