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LISBON -- A Negley man accused of multiple counts of voyeurism and taking nude photographs of minors will face a jury trial on Oct 3, with a final status conference at 9 a.m. Sept. 22.
Matthew Severs, 40, Taylor Road, appeared for a pretrial Monday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court before Judge Megan Bickerton. He was represented by his defense attorney, James Wise, with county Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone representing the state.
During the hearing, Severs waived his right to a speedy trial.
Severs was charged with seven counts of illegal use of minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, a second-degree felony, and five counts of voyeurism, a fifth-degree felony.
All the charges stem from a time frame of Jan. 1, 2019 to Nov. 14, 2021.
The illegal use of a minor charges allege that Severs photographed minors in a state of nudity. The voyeurism charges allege that he invaded the privacy of a child to take pictures or video or other actions. The child was a teen.
Sheriff Brian McLaughlin said the case started as a complaint to the sheriff's office, with a search warrant of the house initiated on Nov. 16, 2021.
According to court records, Severs posted a $50,000 surety bond and remains out of jail, but with orders to have no contact with the victims or any minors.
During arraignment on May 4, he pleaded not guilty and a written plea of not guilty by reason of insanity was also submitted.