A Willows sex offender pleaded not guilty on Monday to communicating with a minor online for sexual purposes, but is already looking to take a plea deal.
Maxwell Matthew Moore, 31, has been in the Colusa County Jail on $100,000 bail since his April 21 arrest on two felony charges of sending inappropriate material to a minor and felony violation of terms of his parole.
Moore was convicted in 2016 of committing a lewd act with a child under 14, but served little time in state prison as a level 2 non-violent offender, according to the California Megan’s Law website.
Moore, on May 2, waived his right to a preliminary hearing in order for his attorney to negotiate a possible plea to one count of sending harmful or obscene material to a minor, which could be charged as a felony or misdemeanor.
Colusa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson set June 16 for a possible change of plea, depending on the recommendation from the Probation Department.
In exchange for the early resolution, the District Attorney could also drop the parole violation. ■