Christopher Thomas Davis, a former White County sheriff’s deputy, pleaded not guilty to child pornography charges Tuesday afternoon in federal court in Gainesville.

Davis, 32, of Dahlonega appeared in Judge Susan Cole’s courtroom for an arraignment hearing after being indicted Sept. 24 on counts of production and possession of child porn.

The prosecution, led by U.S. Attorney Jill Steinberg, alleges Davis knowingly possessed computer and storage devices containing child porn.

David 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.

A search of Davis’ vehicle in August led to the discovery of 11 different computers and storage devices containing child porn. 

A camera was also seized, which the prosecution alleges was used to produce child pornography, specifically that of a 7-year-old girl.

During the preliminary hearing, Westall testified that images of the same girl when she was age 3 also were recovered.

Davis received a copy of the indictment at the hearing but waived a formal reading, acknowledging he understood the charges against him.

Davis’ attorney Tony Axam said the charges against Davis don’t have merit and he hopes a jury trial will prove that.

“He didn’t do what they charged him with and if the jury hears his story and understands ... we hope they will be persuaded,” Axam said.

U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “It is a sad day when a member of law enforcement is charged with violating laws he is sworn to uphold, a day made far sadder because the victim is a young child whose life is forever changed. (Davis) will now be held to account for his actions.”

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

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.

Both sides have 14 days from arraignment to submit pre-trial motions. The case will be reassigned to Senior U.S. District Judge William C. O’Kelley for trial purposes.