Sentencing for a former Franklin County Sheriff’s Department employee has been rescheduled for Thursday afternoon in Indianapolis.
Derek Walton pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child in federal court.
The sentencing hearing was originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 27; however, was postponed due to federal prosecutors planning on calling a victim to the stand, the Brookville-American Democrat reported.
According to a Motion to Continue Change of Plea and Sentencing Hearing filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Debrota, the alleged victim is a current high school student and the original sentencing hearing would have conflicted with school.
Thursday’s sentencing hearing will allow the student to testify without missing school or added stress during the last week of school.
Walton could potentially receive a prison sentence approximately between 15 and 30 years in prison,
Walton was arrested in August 2013 after federal authorities raided his Union County home. Federal agents said they found electronic evidence depicting child pornography.
The former jailer remains behind bars in Marion County. He can withdraw the guilty plea before he is sentenced.
