LISBON — A plea hearing is set for 9:45 a.m. June 17 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.”

An evidentiary hearing had been scheduled Wednesday morning in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court on a defense motion to suppress statements Rogers made to investigators, but according to county Assistant Prosecutor Tammie Riley Jones, a resolution of the case has been reached, with a plea pending.

She said Rogers’ defense attorney, Coleen Hall Dailey, withdrew the motion to suppress and based on negotiations, there’s a resolution. A jury trial had been scheduled to start this week, but was cancelled due to the evidentiary hearing not being set until Wednesday.

With the motion to suppress withdrawn, there was no need for the evidentiary hearing, which turned into more of a status hearing.

The case is in the courtroom of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam. A bond of $50,000 cash or surety remains in place.

mgreier@mojonews.com