LOWVILLE — An Oswego County man has been acquitted by a Lewis County jury of raping in Lowville a woman whom he met over the Internet.

An eight-woman, four-man jury on Wednesday found Steven L. Cridge, 38, Central Square, innocent of first- and third-degree rape, first-degree attempted criminal sex act and two counts of third-degree assault.

Mr. Cridge had been charged with raping a 29-year-old woman whom he met on the Yahoo! Personals Internet site, and punching her in the mouth and back May 21, 2007.

An initial trial in the case began March 17. However, on the following day, just before opening statements, Mr. Cridge pleaded guilty to third-degree rape. In June, he was allowed to withdraw his plea because of a technicality.

In a case involving a Class B violent felony such as first-degree rape, a plea bargain agreement must include a guilty plea to at least a Class D violent felony, while the third-degree rape charge is only a Class E felony, Judge Charles C. Merrell ruled at the time.

District Attorney Leanne K. Moser was out of the office on Thursday and unavailable for comment.

Mr. Cridge was represented by Syracuse attorney James R. McGraw. Judge Merrell presided over the three-day trial.