An arraignment was held for a Belpre man who faces up to 24 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter and two additional counts involving a minor in Washington County Common Pleas Court on Friday.

Scott M. Dye, 28, of 1457 Poplar Street, Belpre, was present with his attorney George Cosenza to enter his pleas of not guilty to the counts, which ranged in severity from felonies in the second degree to the fifth degree based on the severity of the content.

Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Jim Schneider was present to represent the state of Ohio in the proceedings.

Out of the 26 total felony counts, 18 are felonies in the second degree which occurred April 13 through May 21 of this year. According to Judge Mark Kerenyi, these felonies are for “creating, recording,

photographing, filming, developing, reproducing or publishing material that shows a minor engaging in sexual acts.”

These charges carry indefinite prison terms, with a minimum of eight years and maximum of 12 years per felony count. Additional requirements include a five-year mandatory post-release control and registration as a Tier II Sex Offender every 180 days for 25 years, according to Kerenyi.

Additionally, Dye faces six counts of possession of sexual material involving a minor, which are felonies in the fourth degree that carry maximum prison terms of 18 months per count and Tier II registration, according to Kerenyi.

Dye also faces two charges for possessing criminal tools with specifications from September 2020 through May 2021, which are felonies in the fifth degree. These felonies face a maximum of 12 months prison time and $2,500 fines. According to Kerenyi, the prosecution is willing to forfeit these charges.

The criminal tools were the technology used, which included a Samsung phone and a black Alienware computer with a BarraCuda hard drive.

Throughout the entirety of the hearing, Dye remained stoic. He faces a 116-year minimum sentence and a 164-year maximum, as well as $245,000 in fines.

“That’s a long, long time,” Kerenyi said.

Dye has been released after posting the $100,000 surety bond, and Kerenyi explained Dye’s requirements of being on release. He was booked and released again on Friday after his arraignment.

“No unsupervised online activity, no unsupervised contact with juveniles and no presence in the Belpre Krogers,” Kerenyi said.

A status hearing is scheduled for Aug. 3, a final pretrial hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22 and a jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 9.

Jenna Pierson may be reached

jpierson@newsandsentinel.com