B.G. man pleads not guilty to possession of child porn

A 61-year-old former attorney pleaded not guilty Friday to five counts of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

John P. Blount, 61, of Battle Ground was charged with the crimes after an extensive police investigation. His trial is scheduled for March 26.

Blount’s wife reported to Battle Ground police in July 2011 that she found child pornography on her home computer, prompting the investigation by Battle Ground police, according to court documents. She told police that only she and her husband had access to the computer.

Blount has worked in the wine and beer supply business for about 10 years, according to Blount’s first court-appointed attorney, Brandy Jeffers. She was replaced Friday by defense attorney Steven Thayer.

Blount was registered as an attorney with the Oregon State Bar from 1984 to 1991. He resigned in 1991 for unknown reasons. The kind of form he submitted to resign indicates his resignation was for personal reasons and was not because he faced discipline by the OSB. The OSB has no record of discipline against Blount. He was never a member of the Washington State Bar Association, according to a WSBA employee who conducted a search.

Blount is free on $20,000 bail.

He has no criminal history.