The trial for former Wrangell physician Greg Salard has been moved to July 20 to allow his defense to prepare for a third child pornography charge being brought against him.
Salard was initially arrested at his Wrangell home last October following a five-month online investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Prosecutors allegedly found 104 files containing child pornography on a computer in the home at the time of his arrest.
On April 21, federal prosecutors filed an additional charge for receipt of the material that could add five years to Salard’s prison time, if he’s convicted. Salard has pled not guilty to the charges.
This is the fourth rescheduling for Salard’s trial, which was initially set for January but postponed to February and again to May 27. A final pretrial conference has been set for July 10. Salard is also due in court for processing on July 2 for a state charge of being a fugitive from justice, with bail set at $800,000.
The fugitive count stems from an aggravated rape charge filed last month by the state of Louisiana, which is preparing for extradition following Salard’s Alaska trial. The charge stems from allegations made in 2007 of child sexual abuse occurring since 2004.
According to the U.S. District Attorney’s office, if convicted of all three charges Salard faces a minimum statutory penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment and possible life imprisonment if convicted of the rape charge in Louisiana.
Prior to his arrest, Salard worked as a physician specializing in family practice with Alaska Island Community Services since 2009 and was chief-of-staff at Wrangell Medical Center since July 2013. He is no longer employed by either organization.
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