Plea Negotiations Underway for 19-Year-Old Sex Abuse Defendant

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Parties in a sex abuse case are negotiating a potential plea deal.

The 19-year-old defendant in this case is accused of pulling his classmate into a room and attempting to force himself on her while they were attending high school last December. The defendant was arrested and charged with assault with intent to commit first-degree sex abuse after the 16-year-old victim alerted a staff member. The defendant was 18-years-old at the time, according to court documents.

On Feb. 11, the defendant appeared in court for the first time since being charged. Defense attorney Steven Ogilvie asked Judge Maribeth Rafinan to continue the hearing so parties could have more time for plea bargaining. Judge Rafinan asked to receive plea paperwork before the next hearing if one is accepted.

The next felony status conference is scheduled for March 17. In the meantime, the defendant will remain released on his promise to return to court.

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