Federal grand jury indicts Corbin man in child porn case

A federal grand jury indicted a Corbin man on child pornography charges last week.
According to the United States District Clerk’s Office in London, the grand jury charged Derek R. Hodge on Nov. 30 with seven counts of receipt and distribution of child pornography, and for one count of possession of child pornography.
Hodge is currently lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center on local charges stemming from his arrest by Corbin police on Oct. 13.
Monday afternoon, Judge Jerry Winchester agreed to lower his bond from $1 million to a $25,000 fully secured bond. This means Hodge will have to put up $25,000 in cash, $50,000 worth of property, or a combination of the two in order to be released from jail on the state charges.
Hodge can’t be released from custody until a federal judge sets his bond, which will likely take place during his arraignment set for Jan. 4 in U.S. District Court.
A Whitley County Grand Jury indicted Hodge on Nov. 13 for use of a minor in a sexual performance and promoting a sex performance by a minor under 16 years of age.
Winchester also scheduled a March 13 trial date for Hodge Monday in that case.
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, said Corbin Police Capt. Tim Helton, who is the investigating officer in the case.
“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.