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NEW CUMBERLAND — The preliminary hearing for a former Hancock County sheriff’s deputy has been delayed another month.

Both sides in the Patrick Hoder case issued a joint motion for a continuance during his felony child pornography hearing Thursday afternoon to allow for his defense attorney, Robert McCoid, to examine evidence provided by prosecutors.

A new hearing has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 21 in Hancock County Magistrate Court before Brooke County Magistrate Shannon Price, who has been assigned to the case after Hancock County officials recused themselves citing potential conflicts of interest.

Ohio County Assistant Prosecutor Gail Kahle has been assigned as a special prosecutor.

Hoder was arrested in late August on a single count of distributing or exhibiting material depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct (more than) by West Virginia State Police after a month-long investigation.

Hancock County Sheriff Scott Gittings already had placed Hoder on administrative leave once he learned about the initial probe into Hoder, who had been a longtime K-9 handler as well as overseeing some of the office’s community outreach programs.

Hoder still remains out on $50,000 cash or surety bond.

During Thursday’s hearing, McCoid said the parties are working toward a possible solution based on the evidence.

This could include either a preliminary hearing to determine if probable cause exists or a waiver to redirect the case to Circuit Court for consideration by a grand jury.

If convicted, Hoder faces up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines.