LISBON — A plea hearing is now set for 9:45 a.m. July17 in the case against an East Palestine man accused of possessing images of child pornography.

Robert W. Rogers, 74, Bacon Avenue, was charged earlier this year with 17 counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, a fourth-degree felony, for allegedly possessing the images on June 18, 2024.

The pandering charge alleged that Rogers 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.”

Originally, the court schedule showed the plea hearing was set for today, but it’s actually next month.

During what was supposed to be an evidentiary hearing last week in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, county Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones said it was reported a resolution had been reached, with a plea pending.

She said Rogers’ defense attorney, Coleen Hall Dailey, withdrew a motion to suppress she had filed and based on negotiations, there was a resolution. The case is in the courtroom of county Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam. A bond of $50,000 cash or surety remains in place.