EVANS CITY — Two preliminary hearings related to child porn were conducted back-to-back Tuesday.

Both James McCarthy, 55, of Mars, and Anthony “A.J.” Bayle, 20, of Harmony, appeared in court before District Judge Wayne Seibel.

McCarthy allegedly was found by investigators from the state Attorney General's office having many forms of child pornography saved between two computers and a cell phone.

McCarthy waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, which forwards all 25 felony counts of child pornography and one felony count of criminal use of communication facilities forward to the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.

At the request of McCarthy's public defender Kevin Flaherty, Seibel reduced the man's bond from $10,000 to $5,000 maintaining conditions that he would have limited access to the internet.

Less than 30 minutes later, Bayle, along with his parents, appeared in court. Following his arraignment, Bayle was released on a non-monetary bond, including conditions limiting his access to the internet.

Bayle has been charged with one count of child pornography and one count of criminal use of communication facilities.

State Police Cpl. Nathan Brown said Bayle had received a link from which one video of child pornography had been downloaded.

During cross-examination of Brown, Bayle's attorney Michael Zunder established state police had not verified the message sent on Instagram was sent to a legitimate address.

Zunder also asked whether the link could have been access unknowingly, which the trooper said was possible.

Despite the line of questioning, Zunder did not argue for the charges to be dropped, and Seibel ruled to send the charges to county court.

Formal arraignments for both men were scheduled for Sept. 7.

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