NEW CUMBERLAND — The preliminary hearing against a former Hancock County deputy did not take place as scheduled Thursday morning in Hancock County Magistrate Court.

According to online records, a motion to continue the hearing for Patrick Hoder was filed with the court Thursday. A new date had not been set as of Friday evening.

A continuance also had been granted in October, to provide Hoder’s defense attorney, Robert McCoid, an opportunity to examine evidence in the case.

Hoder was arrested in late August on a single count of distributing or exhibiting material depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (more than 600 images) by West Virginia State Police after a month-long investigation.

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings already had placed Hoder on administrative leave once he learned about the initial probe into Hoder, who had been a longtime K-9 handler as well as overseeing some of the office’s community outreach programs.

Hoder still remains out on $50,000 cash or surety bond.

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

As a result of potential conflicts of interest, Hancock County’s magistrate judges and prosecuting attorney have recused themselves from the case, leading to the appointment of Brooke County Magistrate Shannon Price to oversee the case, and Gail Kahle, an assistant prosecutor from Ohio County, to serve as a special prosecutor.