Plea deal offered in Turlock sex case

Two former Turlock Christian School teachers accused of trying to arrange sex with a 16-year-old student by cell phone will have until June 22 to mull over a plea deal offered by the prosecution, a judge said Wednesday.

The husband-and-wife suspects -- Justin Northcutt and Amy Northcutt -- have each been charged with one felony count of "harmful matter sent with intent of seduction of a minor."

Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Timothy Salter also set a preliminary hearing for June 26 if the Northcutts reject the deal. Then, the prosecution would lay out evidence against the Northcutts and Salter would decide if there is enough to go to trial.

The Northcutts would have to register as sex offenders if they are convicted of the felony count, Deputy District Attorney Elaine Casillas said.

Details of the plea deal were not available, and the Northcutts are not in custody.