LAKEPORT — A Clearlake man accused of having sex with a minor denied a settlement offer Friday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
Manuel Vega Garcia decided against pleading to one count of lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14.
Garcia, 24, is charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor in 2004, with special allegations that the girl was younger than 14 years old, and two counts of unlawful intercourse with a minor. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
A warrant had been out for Garcia”s arrest since 2006 but he wasn”t arrested until March 31. Garcia pleaded not guilty April 2.
Deputy district attorney Ed Borg left the settlement offer open for Garcia to take, he said.
Garcia will return to court 8:15 a.m. Sept. 27 for arraignment on information in Department 2.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
