City Times Staff

A 39-year-old man will not be allowed to plead out on 29 counts of possession of child pornography.

Judge Tom Eagon rejected the no contest plea from Christopher Ehlenfeldt in Portage Co. Circuit Court on Friday, after Ehlenfeldt said he didn’t believe he had “any choice” but to accept the plea deal from prosecutors. He also said he didn’t believe he had committed the crimes.

After turning down the plea, Eagon scheduled a jury trial for April.

According to police records, Ehlenfeldt’s wife turned a computer primarily used by him to police in Aug. of 2012. Further investigation by detectives revealed video images of child pornography stored on that computer. The videos depict children engaged in sexual activity with each other and with adults, according to the complaint.

Each charge of child pornography carries a potential maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and $100,000 fine

In early Dec. he was also convicted of 53 counts of possession of child pornography in Shawano County and sentenced to 15 years confinement and 10 years extended supervision.

Ehlenfeldt’s trial is scheduled to being April 18.