LISBON — The trial scheduled for Jan. 26 against an Illinois man accused of possessing images of child pornography has been changed to a status hearing to give his new appointed counsel time to familiarize himself with the case.

Vincent John Bianconi, 35, last known address Chicago Heights, Ill., appeared Friday before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam for a status hearing. He remains free on bond.

Washam explained that Bianconi’s previous hired counsel was released from the case and Bianconi filled out financial information, with Washam finding he was entitled to appointed counsel. Washam appointed defense attorney Robert Bricker, who was in attendance.

Washam said he was inclined to cancel the jury trial that had been set for 8:30 a.m. Jan. 26 since Bricker just received the case, instead scheduling a status hearing for 1 p.m. Jan. 26.

Recently, Washam denied a motion to suppress filed by Bianconi to have evidence thrown out. Charges against him include three counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, a fourth-degree felony, and misdemeanors of engaging in prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

Bianconi was accused of allegedly responding to an undercover ad placed by an agent on a known prostitution website and requesting a woman meet him in his semi truck for sex acts in exchange for $30, arriving at the meeting location in East Palestine on July 4, 2024 in his semi truck wearing only a robe. In his possession was $50 and the cell phone used to make the arrangements, which was seized. An agent with the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force recovered images of minor children engaged in sexual acts.

According to Washam, the police had probable cause to seize the phone because it continued to display GPS information the defendant screen shotted while on his way to the meeting location. Probable cause existed for the belief that the phone seized contained some evidence related to the alleged crimes for which the defendant was arrested.

Bianconi tried to claim the phone was seized without a warrant and that the search was pursuant to a warrant issued four days later. The motion alleged that the affidavit supporting the search warrant contained a false statement related to the  allegation that three printed images of Child Sex Abuse Material were found on the back of the phone, allegedly rendering the warrant invalid and all the resulting evidence inadmissible.

The motion also claimed the seizure of the phone violated Bianconi’s rights and he denied that three printed images of CSAM were on the back of his phone. He claimed he doesn’t have a printer and doesn’t know how to print from his cell phone.

Washam did not agree and overruled the motion.