NEW CUMBERLAND — The preliminary hearing for a former Hancock County deputy did not go as planned Thursday morning in Hancock County Magistrate Court.

No reason was given for the decision earlier today to continue the hearing or for a date to be set.

In October, Patrick Hoder’s case was continued until Thursday, so Hoder’s defense attorney could review the evidence against him.

Planning was complicated by the court’s need to consider not only its own availability, but also that of a special magistrate and special prosecutor assigned to the child pornography case.

Special Magistrate Shannon Price is stationed in Brooke County, while Special Prosecutor Gail Kale was assigned from Ohio County due to potential conflicts of interest for local authorities.

The case was filed by West Virginia State Police.

Hoder was arrested in late August in a single county for distributing or displaying material depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (600+) by West Virginia State Police after a month-long investigation. He was already on administrative leave before he was charged, leading Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings to choose to terminate his employment.

Hoder was a longtime K9 handler and had overseen some of the office’s community outreach programs.

He remains without $50,000 in cash or bail.

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