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.