A Minot man charged with two Class C felonies stemming from an alleged relationship with a minor pleaded not guilty to both counts in North Central District Court on Thursday.

Matthew William Brooks, 38, Minot, appeared for a preliminary hearing before Judge Douglas Mattson Thursday morning, pleading not guilty to counts of corruption of a minor-victim over 15-defendant 22 or older and luring minors by computer-defendant 22 or older, believes victim 15-17, both Class C felonies.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Minot Police received a report on Sept. 25, 2024, about an attempt to locate a juvenile who had been taken to a Minot hospital three days prior and released to a parent. Investigators had information the victim was in a relationship with Brooks, who told them during an interview that when he had found out the juvenile’s age he “backed off.”

The victim was eventually located, and investigators received permission to extract a conversation thread from the victim’s cell phone data, which indicated Brooks was aware of the victim’s age and still pursued a sexual relationship.

Brook’s is in the Ward County Jail on a $6,000 cash and corporate surety bond, but a request has been filed by his court appointed attorney, Eric Baumann, for a bond review hearing. Court records do not yet show his next court date.