More than a year after his arrest and three months after being found guilty of child pornography charges, former Wrangell physician Greg Salard is still awaiting sentencing while being detained at Lemon Creek Correctional Facility in Juneau.
Arrested at his home Oct. 14, 2014, after an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Salard was found guilty in July on two of three charges for receipt and distribution of illicit material. A sentencing date set for Oct. 9 has since been moved to Dec. 3. For each count, he faces no
less than five and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, with
combined fines of up to $500,000.
In addition to the
pornography charges in Alaska, while in custody Salard was charged with being a fugitive from justice, after the state of Louisiana in April announced its intention to extradite and try him for aggravated rape.
The charge stems from allegations made in 2007 of child
sexual abuse that had occurred since 2004. The U.S. District Attorney’s office confirmed Salard could be extradited to Louisiana once a sentence has been passed.
The sentencing date
rescheduling is the latest
in a string of postponements in the case. Trial dates had previously been moved from January, February and May after Salard’s defense said more time was needed to forensically evaluate his computer.
Defense attorney Steven Wells has successfully applied for a deadline extension, allowing Salard to file a motion for a new trial by Oct. 2. Informed more time was needed to review transcripts, the court last week granted another extension to Nov. 6, specifying it would be the last given.
Until his arrest, Salard had served as a physician specializing in family practice with Alaska Island Community Services since 2009 and had been chief-of-staff at Wrangell Medical Center since July 2013. He is now no longer employed by either organization and has since
surrendered his medical license.
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