NORWICH – A man accused of having sex with a minor appeared in Chenango County Court Friday to weigh his options over a plea agreement, but was sent to the Chenango County Jail after he was overheard threatening the victim as he was leaving the courtroom.

On Sept. 16, a Chenango County grand jury indicted Michael A. Demuth, 33, of Norwich, on three counts of third degree rape, an E class felony, over allegations that he had sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl on three different occasions between March and April of 2008 in the Town of Oxford. He was also charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child.

Earlier in that month, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office also arrested Demuth’s live-in girlfriend, 21-year-old Amanda L. Strozier, saying the two had engaged in various sexual activities involving one or both of the defendants and the underage teen over a period of time.

First Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dunshee said Strozier had no criminal record and due to her young age was allowed to plead to a misdemeanor and was sentenced to three years probation.

Dunshee said Demuth was convicted of a felony about 11 years ago over a prior burglary offense and was released from prison less than 10 years ago, making him a predicate felon in the new case.

Appearing in court Friday before Chenango County Judge W. Howard Sullivan, Dunshee said the DA’s office was willing to offer a minimum of two years in state prison in satisfaction of all the charges in exchange for a guilty plea.

Demuth’s Defense Attorney, David E. Sonn of Earlville, said his client was considering the deal but wanted to offer information to the court regarding the alleged victim in the case before final sentence was passed.