By Brandi Makuski

A Stevens Point man is scheduled to avoid a jury trial by pleading out on multiple counts of sexual assault.

Steven Tibbetts, 34, made headlines across the state when he was arrested in 2014 for allegedly assaulting several women — some in the basement of his downtown business.

While the jury trial is still on the Portage Co. Circuit Court calendar for this week, Tibbetts’ plea-hearing is scheduled for Wed., March 9.

Tibbetts is expected to plead on one count each of fourth degree sexual assault, second-degree sex assault/sex organ injury, second-degree sexual assault/use of force, felonious bail-jumping and second degree sexual assault of an unconscious victim.

Tibbetts was arrested in March of 2014 after allegedly drugging and assaulting an 18-year-old woman at his Town of Linwood home.

At the time, Tibbetts was the owner of Energy Cafe, a downtown Internet cafe and coffee shop. When news of his arrest became public, several other woman contacted local law enforcement alleging Tibbetts assaulted, or attempted to assault, them in the basement of his business over a series of incidents stemming back to Dec. of 2013.

The charge of bail-jumping involves Tibbetts approaching one of his female accusers at a local grocery store despite being ordered by a judge to avoid contact.

His plea hearing is scheduled at 2:30 PM in Branch I on Wednesday. Should Judge Thomas Eagon not accept his plea, the jury trial will begin at 8 AM Thursday.