A Bellmont man facing multiple child pornography charges remains in custody as his case moves toward trial.
Twenty-eight-year-old Gage Hoffman appeared in Wabash County Circuit Court Monday morning for a pre-trial conference. During the hearing, the court confirmed Hoffman's jury trial will begin July 6th.
A final pre-trial conference has been scheduled for June 22nd.
Hoffman remains lodged in the Wabash County Jail.
The case has expanded significantly since charges were first filed. Last month, Wabash County State's Attorney Kelli Storckman filed eight additional Class 2 felony child pornography charges against Hoffman, bringing the total number of counts against him to 15.
Hoffman was originally charged on May 4th with seven Class X felonies involving alleged child sexual abuse material. Court records allege several offenses occurred between July of 2024 and March of 2025. Five of the original charges involve alleged victims under the age of 13, while two involve alleged victims under the age of 18.
The charges stem from an investigation that began after Wabash County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at a Bellmont residence on April 29th. Investigators reportedly recovered electronic evidence connected to the alleged possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
