A judge denied bond Thursday to Christopher Thomas Davis, a former White County sheriff's deputy facing production of child pornography charges.

Davis, 32, of Dahlonega is accused of producing photographs in 2009 of a 7-year-old girl engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Davis was a five-year veteran of the White County Sheriff's Office before being fired Aug. 25, the day of his arrest.

Davis appeared in federal court Thursday morning for a preliminary detention hearing to determine if there is probable cause that he produced the photos.

Jill Steinberg, the attorney representing the federal government, called David Westall to testify.

Westall, a special agent for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, alleges Davis "used a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct by means of a Nikon camera, that camera having been mailed, transported and shipped in interstate and foreign commerce," according to court documents.

Westall testified that agents obtained a search warrant for both Davis' Jeep Grand Cherokee and his home in Dahlonega. In the vehicle, authorities seized two cameras, one of which he said was used to produce child pornography — specifically that of a 7-year-old girl.

During his testimony, Westall said images of the same girl when she was 3 years old were also recovered.

Agents searched Davis' home Aug. 25 and seized 11 different computers and external hard drives, Westall testified. He said six of those have been reviewed so far and all contained images of child pornography.

Investigators from the Child Exploitation Investigations Group tracked Davis after arresting Timothy McKeithan of Houston, Texas, on charges of possession of child pornography, according to court documents.

McKeithan's girlfriend, Lisa Davis, ex-wife of Christopher Davis, told investigators the images of a 7-year-old girl found on McKeithan's storage devices were produced by Christopher Davis.

Lisa Davis told investigators that after leaving Christopher Davis in the fall of 2009, she took his hard drive containing photos of her, and asked McKeithan to delete those images. She then mailed the hard drive back to Christopher Davis.

While working as a White County sheriff's deputy, Christopher Davis had problems performing his duties and had been written up at least six or seven times, Westall testified.

Tony Axam, Davis' defense attorney, called upon Danny Jarrard to testify. Jarrard testified that he teaches martial arts at North Georgia College & State University and Christopher Davis was his assistant.

Jarrard testified that his students range in age from 5 years old and older and include both boys and girls.

Judge Susan Cole denied bond citing concerns that minors in the community could be at risk.

Davis is being held in the Hall County Jail.

After the hearing, Axam said there is no truth behind the charges against Christopher Davis.

"We are going to fight the charges vigorously," Axam said. "They are serious charges, but they don't have merit."

Prosecutors declined further comment on the case.

Christopher Davis' next court hearing has not been set.