LISBON — A jury trial date of Oct. 21 was set in the alleged 75-count child pornography case against retired Lisbon teacher James W. Watt.

Watt, 68, Fairfield School Road, Columbiana, appeared Thursday in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for a pretrial before Judge Megan Bickerton.

He was accompanied by two of his defense attorneys, Bruce Williams and Daniel Misiewicz. He’s also represented by defense attorney Christine Falconer.

During the hearing, Watt signed a form to waive his right to a speedy trial, giving his defense team more time to prepare.

A final status hearing was set for 1 pm. Oct. 10.

The indictment against Watt included 60 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, a fourth-degree felony, and 15 counts of illegal use of minor or impaired person in a nudity-oriented material or performance, a fifth-degree felony.

When the secret indictment was issued, Columbiana County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Yacovone said there was a tip about Watt from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding alleged images of child pornography. Watt was released from jail after posting bond following his arrest and his bond of $50,000 cash or surety was continued. Conditions of his bond include that he’s not permitted to leave the state and had to forfeit his passport.

The date of the possession of the images occurred on Oct. 22, 2024, according to the indictment. The pandering charge alleged that Watt did “with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, buy, procure, possess or control obscene material that has a minor as one of its participants.”

The other charge, illegal use of minor or impaired person in a nudity-oriented material or performance, alleged that Watt “did possess or view material or performance that shows a minor who was not James W. Watt’s child or ward in a state of nudity.”

A former science teacher, Watt retired from the Lisbon school district in May 2024 after 43 years as an educator. He also served as a former track and cross country coach.