A 34-year-old New York man awaiting trial in the Clearfield County Prison on charges of corruption of minors and the criminal use of a communication facility has filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Johnstown contending he has already served his sentence and is being held illegally.

That charge by Shyam Pranami Gouli, whose address was listed on court documents as Hicksville, N.Y., has surprised Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan P. Sayers because, the DA explained, Gouli was offered — and initially accepted — a plea agreement in January but Gouli eventually turned down the offer.

Because Gouli rejected the offer, his case was placed on the Clearfield County Court’s trial list.

State court records show that on May 5, Clearfield President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman ordered jury selection in the Gouli case to be held in early June.

Gouli was jailed in Clearfield County in early January after he traveled by train and bus to Clearfield County with expectations of having a tryst with a 15-year-old girl.

Gouli was charged with having several phone conversations with a person he thought was a 15-year-old and with arranging to meet the girl in her home county.

What he didn’t know was that his messages and conversations over a two-month period were actually with a member of the 814 Pred Hunters, a group of residents who track presumed child predators.

When Gouli arrived in Clearfield County, he was met by the Pred Hunters and turned over to police for prosecution.

Charges of corruption of minors and criminal use of a communication facility were filed, and Gouli was held for court on Jan. 23.

He was placed in the Clearfield County Prison in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.

At this point, the Gouli case becomes confusing.

Sayers explained that Gouli, represented by Clearfield County Public Defender Chris A. Pentz, was offered a plea agreement to serve 90 days in prison, a sentence in the middle range of the state sentencing guidelines.

That offer was presented during a pretrial conference, after Gouli had already served 28 days behind bars.

Gouli initially accepted the agreement, but then he backed out of the plea and his case was placed on the trial list, Sayers noted

Jury selection is to begin June 8.

Gouli’s version of events is outlined in a federal lawsuit that he filed in federal court in Scranton.

The Scranton Court sent it to the Federal Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, and on May 15, U.S. District Judge Sylvia Rambo referred the case to the Western District Court in Johnstown.

The lawsuit has been referred to U.S. Magistrate Keith A. Pesto for review.

Gouli in his lawsuit names the commonwealth, the Clearfield County district attorney and the Clearfield County public defender as defendants.

He states in his lawsuit that on Jan. 23 he entered an agreement that he would serve 90 days in prison and pay a fine of $25,000.

He points out his 90 days was to expire April 3, and he pleads, “I am still confined in the Clearfield County Jail. I am being held illegally and against my will.”

Gouli claims that he has sent letters and emails to the court asking for his release and has received no response.

Gouli said English is his second language and that he is in need of a translator.

He contended that his request for a translator has been denied.

Sayers, however, said that during the plea agreement discussions a translator was provided.

Aside from English, Gouli indicated he speaks the Nepali and Hindi languages.

Gouli concluded his federal court petition stating that seven court dates regarding his case have been canceled.

Gouli stated that he is suffering from “stress and extreme duress — not being able to support my family and not sleeping.”

He is asking for his immediate release from prison.

Pesto has yet to review the petition.

Gouli’s attorney, Chris Pentz, could not be reached for comment.