Young man struggling with sex offender label to meet with private attorney

By Lee Higgins Crime and courts reporter

Posted on Sat, Dec 19, 2009 : 12:51 p.m.

A man accused of living near a school after being convicted of having sex with a girlfriend who was one year below the legal age of consent is planning to meet with a private attorney next week.

Matthew Freeman, 23, of Pittsfield Township, who is required to register as a sex offender, is charged with a school safety zone residency violation.

Freeman said he will be meeting with Attorney David Goldstein, who has indicated a willingness to work out a payment plan with him.

“I’m really happy about it,” Freeman said. “I feel a lot better about the whole situation now.”

Goldstein confirmed today he will be meeting with Freeman next week, but had no further comment.

Freeman’s accused of living within 1,000 feet of Carpenter Elementary School. If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, he faces up to a year in prison.

Freeman is currently being representing by Assistant Washtenaw County Public Defender Ronald Brown, who requested Friday that the case be adjourned until Jan. 4. Brown asked for more time to work on the case.

Freeman’s mother, Yolanda Freeman, is excited that her son will be meeting with Goldstein.

“I’m glad somebody’s willing to look at the case,” she said.

In 2003, Freeman was sentenced to probation after being convicted of having sex with his 15-year-old girlfriend when he was 17.

The two had dated for a year. Her mother, Evelyn Scott, pressed charges because she was concerned her daughter wasn’t making healthy decisions. As a result of Freeman’s conviction, he was required to register as a sex offender for 25 years. Now, Scott has written a letter on his behalf.