A Jefferson man is asking his trial to be moved out of Greene County.

According to court documents, 20-year-old Noah Duane Exline’s attorney Kevin Hobbs filed a motion for a change of venue on Monday. Exline faces seven Class B Felony charges for second degree sexual abuse.

Court documents show that the defendant and the alleged victim, 12-year-old Paige Exline, are well-known in Greene County. Noah claims that there have been lots of media coverage where he and the allegations were often mentioned in news stories pertaining to criminal charges filed against other family members. Noah also said that because of the media coverage, one family member’s trial has already been found as a mistrial and moved to another county. Exline believes that because of the claims, he won’t get a fair trial with an impartial jury.

Noah is accused of sexually abusing his sister seven times in a three year period, from ages nine to 12. Paige was one of the two victims that died in a Guthrie Center house fire on May 17th. Noah’s father, James Exline, is charged with felonies for second or subsequent offense for second degree sexual abuse and third degree sexual abuse against his daughter Paige. His jury trial will take place in Mitchell County on May 1st.

A hearing for Noah has been set for March 26th, at which time District Court Judge Gary McMinimee can determine whether or not to move the trial location. His jury trial is set to begin April 1st.

Raccoon Valley Radio will bring you more information as it becomes official.