A New Windsor man charged in a child porn investigation has had his case continued to next month. The new date for 59 year old James Pierson was set during a Monday morning pre-trial conference in Mercer County Circuit Court. A Supreme Court order is not allowing jury trials at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions. Pierson is facing three Class X felony counts. He was arrested in February following an investigation that began in January. He is being held in the Mercer County Jail on $500,000 bond. Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Kewanee Police Department, New Windsor Police Department, Illinois Attorney General’s office and federal authorities are all involved in the investigation. Pierson is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 8.
