NEW BERLIN – Following an evidence hearing in Chenango County Court Monday, a New Berlin man arrested for felony burglary accepted an offer and pleaded guilty to trespassing, a misdemeanor, instead.

The Town of New Berlin Police Department arrested 28-year-old Joshua J. Squires the afternoon of May 5 after a former girlfriend contacted police, claiming he broke into her home through a window and threatened to sexually assault her.

Squires was originally arrested for second degree burglary, a C class felony, following a police investigation by New Berlin officer-in-charge, Sgt. Dominick Commesso.

On May 12, the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office successfully convinced a grand jury to indict Squires for the crime.

According the indictment, Squires removed a bedroom window screen before reaching inside and grabbing a sleeping female victim by the hair. The indictment claims Squires threatened to sexually assault the female, which prompted her to start kicking and punching him as he attempted to climb in.

“The defendant continued to try and gain access even while the victim was screaming and kicking,” stated the indictment.

Appearing in court Monday, with Defense Attorney Linden D. Summers, Squires sought to challenge the evidence prosecutors sought to use against him at trial, including alleged incriminating statements made in front of New Berlin Officer Edward J. Ulfik III and New Berlin Town Justice Joseph Brillinger.