Man Facing Child Pornography Distribution Charge Appears In Federal Court

The man at the center of a child pornography investigation says he's 'not guilty.' David Abston [top picture] was in federal court Friday in Tulsa. He's accused of distributing images

Friday, November 17th 2006, 10:56 am

By: News On 6

The man at the center of a child pornography investigation says he's 'not guilty.' David Abston [top picture] was in federal court Friday in Tulsa. He's accused of distributing images of child pornography.

Abston didn't show up for his first federal court appearance Wednesday. On Thursday, 55 year old David Abston was taken into custody in Bixby.

Abston's attorney Keith Ward [bottom picture] says he believes news coverage has been unfair to Abston. Ward says Abston is a philanthropist who donates money to charity and has sent kids to college. But many wonder why Abston didn't first appear in court to face the allegations. Keith Ward: "He was scared. He was depressed. He was despondent. He didn't want to come to court because he knew he was going to jail."

Ward says David Abston considered fleeing and considered killing himself. He also says there is certain hysteria when a story like this breaks. Keith Ward says parents and police are understandably concerned, but he says David Abston is not a child pornographer.

David Abston will be in federal court next week for a detention hearing.