A judge Wednesday rejected a plea deal between prosecutors and a Casper man who admitted to sexually abusing a teenage baby-sitter.

After nixing the deal, Natrona County District Judge David Park allowed Samuel Barrett to withdraw his February guilty plea to second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Barrett's case will be go back on the court's trial schedule.

Judges in Wyoming have the power to reject plea agreements they consider too good or contrary to justice.

Park did not offer an explanation for declining the deal, but during an earlier court hearing he expressed reservations with another part of the agreement, which would have dismissed the legal proceedings against Barrett if he successfully completed probation.

Wyoming law allows such a move for first-time offenders charged with certain crimes.

The judge began Wednesday's hearing by asking Natrona County Assistant District Attorney Michael Schafer why the deal should be accepted. Schafer said the victim's mother didn't want her daughter to be involved in the judicial process. He also explained that Barrett had pleaded guilty, which was important to the victim's family.

"We'll just have to see where things go from here," Schafer said following the judge's decision. "I think we'll probably just go to trial."

Police arrested Barrett in September after the girl alleged she performed a sex act on him at his home. She also told investigators Barrett gave her alcohol, according to a police affidavit.

Barrett remains free on $10,000 bond.

Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com. Read his blog at tribtown.trib.com/JoshuaWolfson/blog.