Corbin man accepts plea deal in child porn case

A Corbin man who was arrested last year after police discovered child pornography on his computer accepted a plea agreement in the case from federal prosecutors Tuesday.
Thirty-six-year-old Derek Ray Hodge, a resident of Fifth Street in Corbin, will be formally sentenced in late March after pleading guilty to one county of possession and distribution of child pornography and one count of forfeiture – a charge designed to force the permanent confiscation of his computer. He was arrested in mid-October after police conducted a second interview with him regarding allegations that he had sexually abused a nine-year-old girl. He was initially charged in Whitley Circuit Court with first-degree sexual abuse, use of a minor in a sexual performance and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor. The case was bumped to U.S. District Court in London where he was indicted on seven counts of receiving child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of forfeiture. The federal case began Nov. 30, 2006 and he was set to stand trial March 6. Though he initially pleaded not guilty on all counts, Hodge filed a motion, through his attorney, for a re-arraignment hearing Tuesday to change his plea.
The investigation into the case initially began in March when the child’s parents complained to police. The child was interviewed and shortly thereafter Hodge voluntarily came to the Corbin Police Department to talk with authorities. From information gained in the interview, a search warrant was issued and Hodge’s computer was seized from his home. A forensic examination of the computer revealed “a lot” of pornographic images depicting children, Helton said.
“The agency that conducted the forensic examination of the computer has submitted the information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for identification of the children in the photos and to possibly have the photos traced,” Helton said.
Authorities claim the girl was used in “some type of sexual act,” but would not elaborate. Helton said Hodge had “ongoing contact” with the child, but would not say how he knew her.
Hodge is married but has no biological children of his own.
Helton said Hodge apparently obtained the illegal photographs through the Internet, but isn’t sure whether he actually disseminated any photos or videos of his own.
Hodge has no prior criminal history and is not a registered sex offender. He is currently being held in the Whitley County Jail.