Booking photo for Zachary P. Stocker (Courtesy: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 29-year-old Logan man will be bound over on charges of downloading child pornography after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. Zachary P. Stocker was originally arrested last year.
Stocker appeared in 1st District Court Wednesday morning. He was previously charged with 20 counts of sexual exploitation of a child, a second-degree felony.
Stocker spoke only briefly. He told the court he wished to waive his rights to the hearing, where Judge Brian Cannell would have determined whether prosecutors had sufficient evidence to justify the charges.
In February, agents with the Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force began investigating Stocker after they allegedly traced the illegal images to his Island neighborhood apartment. A search warrant was served to his residence, where electronic devices were seized and he was taken into custody.
During Wednesday’s court appearance, defense attorney Ray Malouf explained that Stocker is undergoing counseling for sexual addictions. He said his client is doing well and shouldn’t be considered a risk to the public.
Judge Cannell ordered Stocker to appear again in court March 2.
Stocker remains out of jail after previously posting $70,000 bail. As part of his pretrial release, he is prohibited from having access to the internet or interactions with anyone under the age of 18. He could face up to 15-years in prison if convicted.
will@cvradio.com