NEW CUMBERLAND — No further court activity in the criminal case against a former Hancock County sheriff’s deputy is expected for this year.

According to the online case docket for the Hancock County Magistrate Court, the followup rescheduled court hearing for Patrick Hoder, accused of possessing child pornography, was announced on Tuesday morning.

Special magistrate Shannon Price, who continued the hearing last week, has set Hoder to be back in court at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.

In the meantime, Hoder continues to be out on $50,000 bond on one count of distribution or exhibition of material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct (600+ images).

Just like Price had been assigned as the visiting special magistrate due to possible conflicts of interest considering Hoder’s past relationships within the court system, Gail Kahle has been assigned as the visiting special prosecutor.

Hoder was terminated from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office this summer, after a brief investigation became apparent.

If convicted, Hoder faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com