City man faces 11 counts of having child porn

COLUMBUS -- A 42-year-old Columbus man has been bound over for trial in Platte County District Court on 11 counts of possession of child pornography.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa scheduled Leander Ford for arraignment on the charges at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 in District Court.

The defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing in County Court.

Several weeks ago, Skorupa set Ford’s bond in the case with the condition that the city man have no access to computers except in his jobs with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Reserves.

The pornography possession charges are Class III felonies, each punishable by a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, $25,000 fine or both and a minimum sentence of one year imprisonment.

Ford was arrested Oct. 29 after a search of his home in the 3000 block of 21st Street turned up two pornographic videos featuring children, according to an arrest affidavit filed in the case by Columbus Police Investigator Bret Strecker.

A computer and a large data storage device were seized during the search of Ford’s residence.

The investigation was a joint effort of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office and Columbus Police.

During an earlier hearing in the case, Deputy Platte County Attorney Carl Hart said that as the investigation unfolded the defendant would be facing multiple felony counts of possession of child porn.

Defense attorney John Kohl said his client would seek treatment for bipolar depression and other counseling if he is released on bond pending further court proceedings.

“My client has no prior record,’’ Kohl said in late-October.