Eastound resident Christian Hogle, 53, has been charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Both are federal offenses. He pleaded not guilty and a trial will be held in December.

On Sept. 26, an indictment was filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. The court ordered his current release conditions will continue. Hogle entered a not guilty plea during an arraignment hearing on Oct. 4. He has no prior criminal history. A trial is slated for Dec. 3 before Judge Ricardo S. Martinez in U.S. District Court.

Hogle was arrested on Aug. 28 and detained in a federal holding cell in Seattle. A detention hearing was held two days later and both sides agreed that Hogle could be released with the stipulation that he wear an ankle monitor. He is not residing on Orcas Island.

Federal law prohibits the production, distribution, reception and possession of an image of child pornography, which is defined as any visual depiction (photographs or videos) of sexually explicit conduct involving someone under 18 years of age. If the offense occurred via the U.S. Postal Service or on the internet, it falls under federal jurisdiction. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a first-time offender convicted of distributing child pornography faces a statutory minimum of five to 20 years in federal prison. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum sentence of 10 years for a first-time offender.

For more details on the case, go here.