The trial of an Orcas man accused of possessing and distributing child pornography has been postponed once again, until Feb. 3, 2020, to give the defense additional time to receive and review discovery. Pre-trial motions were rescheduled to Dec. 16. The motion was granted by Judge Ricardo S. Martinez on Oct. 17.
Eastsound resident Christian Hogle, 54, was charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography in August 2018. He pleaded not guilty to both federal offenses.
On Sept. 26, 2018, an indictment against Hogle was filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The Seattle court ordered that his release conditions would include wearing an ankle monitor and not residing on Orcas. Hogle has no prior criminal history.
Hogle is being represented by Emily Beschen of Butler Beschen Law in Bellingham, where he is currently residing. He was confined to his house with ankle monitoring with the exception of attending employment, religious services, and medical, legal or otherwise approved reasons until that bond requirement was overturned in March.
Hogle is now required to participate in a location monitoring program and abide by a curfew. He is still not permitted to own or use an electronic device that can connect to the internet, have contact with anyone under age 18 or be near an area where minors are present. His whereabouts prior to the noncurfew hours are not subject to prior approval. Additionally, he must contribute financially to the cost of the tracking services provided.
According to documents filed by Beschen, a continuance was requested to allow counsel time to “finalize review and synthesize discovery, conduct legal research, consult with Mr. Hogle and draft motions. Additionally, the parties are in the process of setting up a meeting together to discuss resolution of this case, which may obviate the need to file motions. …. The defense has been working on arranging access to accounts that are at issue and the review of evidence. … Following the completion of gathering the necessary forensic information we anticipate sitting down to meet with the AUSA (Assistant United States Attorney) to discuss Mr. Hogle’s case and take another final attempt at resolution before trial. We are in the process of scheduling this meeting to take place in November and if negotiations fail, we anticipate being ready for trial in February 2020.”
To read the details of Hogle’s case, visit http://www.islandssounder.com/news/christian-hogle-arrested-for-allegedly-distributing-child-pornography/
