The man accused of sexually harassing a New Zealand blogger online has filed for a diversion for the single charge he faces.

Kalim Akeba Lloyd Dowdell, 19, was arrested in August and faces one misdemeanor charge of harassment by telecommunications device.

Tuesday afternoon Dowdell appeared in Douglas County District Court where his attorney, Keith White, said he filed a diversion application more than a week ago, but had not yet heard back from prosecutors on the filing.

If his diversion request is granted and he completes the terms of the agreement, Dowdell will not be convicted of the harassment charge. The diversion will, however, remain on his record unless he later files for an expungement.

Kalim Akeba Lloyd Dowdell

Dowdell does not have any prior criminal history in Douglas County District Court. He was in court Tuesday to schedule a date for his criminal trial.

Douglas County District Court Judge Kay Huff scheduled Dowdell’s trial for early 2017 to allow prosecutors time to examine his diversion application before then.

According to an arrest affidavit filed in district court, Dowdell sent sexual messages to several people using a number of social media accounts.

One woman, Rachel Gronback, 31, of New Zealand, says Dowdell sent her unwanted and inappropriate pictures and filed a police report this winter. She also sent police a packet documenting the messages.

Since Dowdell’s arrest Gronback has committed to traveling to the United States if she’s needed to testify in a criminal trial.

Dowdell is next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 17 at 4 p.m. If a plea agreement is arranged between defense and prosecuting attorneys, Huff said she wanted the details finalized by then.

If Dowdell’s case will go to trial, the case is scheduled to begin Jan. 25 at 9 a.m.

If Dowdell is convicted he could face up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.