A North Carolina man has rejected a plea offer that would keep him out of prison.
Matthew Blumm, 45, Hendersonville, appeared Thursday in the courtroom of Wood County Common Pleas Judge Joel Kuhlman.
He was indicted in July for two counts of gross sexual imposition, both third-degree felonies. From Jan. 1-Feb. 29, 2016, he allegedly had sexual contact with the same minor who was 10 years old at the time.
Wood County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Pamela Gross said her office had extended an offer that included a guilty plea to one GSI charge, registration as a Tier II sex offender, and a sentence of community control.
The victim, who is now 18, agreed with the offer, she said.
Kuhlman said he could impose a five-year prison sentence on each charge if Blumm is found guilty at trial.
Defense attorney Stevin Groth rejected the offer on behalf of his client.
Gross said the offer would remain available through the end of the month.
A jury trial was confirmed to start Feb. 12.
