Child porn case for ex-Harrisburg councilman moved to new judge to avoid conflict of interest: defense attorney

A new judge has been assigned to hear the child pornography accusations against former Harrisburg councilman Brad Koplinski to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, his attorney told PennLive.

The 51-year-old was charged earlier this month with 15 felony counts of child pornography possession. Investigators said 36 suspected images of children being sexually exploited or child erotica were uploaded from Internet Protocol addresses registered to Koplinski’s wife between March 18 and July 1.

Koplinski was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Hanif Johnson Sept. 18 and released on $5,000 unsecured bail. His next court appearance, a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 7 in front of District Judge Barbara Pianka, was canceled, however, after she asked to be recused, according to Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo.

Koplinski’s attorney Bryan McQuillen said he believed Pianka recused herself to avoid any appearance of a conflict. Pianka’s husband, James Pianka, was known to be a political supporter of Koplinski during Koplinski’s time on city council.

Koplinski will now appear Nov. 23 at 9:30 a.m. in front of District Judge Sonya M. McKnight, court records show.

https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2020/09/child-porn-case-for-ex-harrisburg-councilman-moved-to-new-judge-to-avoid-conflict-of-interest-defense-attorney.html