The preliminary hearing and formal arraignment of Thomas Motley, 29, Kewanee, was continued following a motion from Motley’s attorney, Clark Miljush. Motley is charged with five counts of possession of child pornography. He appeared before Judge Terry Patton in Henry County Circuit Court on Monday.

After no objections from Henry County State’s Attorney Catherine Runty, the judge granted the continuance and set the hearing for Sept. 25. Runty told the Court that the State was still waiting on additional forensic information and anticipated that charges against Motley could be updated.

Attorney Miljush also requested a hearing on a motion to release bond. Judge Patton set that hearing for Sept. 5.

The Kewanee Police Department announced Motley’s arrest on Aug. 23. The arrest came after a joint investigation between the KPD, the Illinois Attorney’s General Office, the Illinois State Police and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department, and followed a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Information provided led law enforcement to Motley, who allegedly possessed multiple images of child pornography. Search warrants executed on Tuesday, Aug. 22 of both his residence and car, provided evidence to charge Motley with the five counts. Possession of child pornography is a Class 2 felony, and each count carries a potential of three to seven years in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections.