Jay Lockett Sears Pleads Not Guilty to 6 Counts of Child Porn Possession

Jay Lockett Sears, 73, was back in court on Monday to face a six-count indictment on child pornography charges. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, if convicted.

During the hearing, Sears, who is out on bail after a his January arrest, was permitted to move into his own apartment, provided an 82-year-old friend, who he had been staying with, randomly checks in on him, according to an article published by Newsday.

The article further reported that federal pretrial service officers would also make random checks on Sears, who ran a Quogue-based nonprofit organization called Mission of Kindness.

According to the indictment, which was handed down on Feb. 20, Sears is accused of possessing materials that contain one or more visual depictions of six minors in photographs that were modified to appear as if they were engaging in "sexually explicit conduct."

The indictment says the identities of the female children are known to the grand jury, but they were named only as "Jane Does." Their identities are protected.

The materials were produced "using materials that had been mailed, shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce," the indictment states.

Sears was , after several bail hearings. Part of his release included home detention with an electronic monitor and that he is to have no contact with any children. He was also ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.

Sears also owns an architectural firm that has designed houses for celebrities, including Michael J. Fox and Clint Eastwood.

No trial date has been set.