RALEIGH, N.C. -- An ice cream man accused of having sex with a child in Raleigh had his first court appearance Thursday.

• Neighbors say 50-year-old Douglas Dessa would go on his ice cream truck route in the afternoon
• He’s charged with two counts of first-degree statutory sex offense with a child under 13 years of age
• Dessa’s current charges carry up to life in prison without parole

Neighbors say 50-year-old Douglas Dessa would go on his ice cream truck route in the afternoon.

The truck is still parked in the driveway of his home but Dessa is still behind bars with an over $1 million bond.

He’s charged with two counts of first-degree statutory sex offense with a child under 13 years of age, which according to an arrest warrant, spanned over 6 years from January 2002 to August 2008.

Another charge also in 2008 is for indecent liberties with a child.

“It’s scary because we have a 12-year-old daughter and being exposed to someone who’s right across the street from us is a little too close for comfort…anywhere whether it’s this neighborhood or the neighborhood down the street but especially because it’s right here in your own yard.”

Dessa’s current charges carry up to life in prison without parole.

He’s due back in court early August.