By CASSANDRA MICKENS / Associate Editor

COLUMBIANA — A Hoover man is out of jail after posting bond on charges of producing child pornography, distributing child pornography and sodomy.

Jason Michael Hankins, 32, was arrested at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Dec. 13. Hankins is charged with one count of production of obscene matter containing visual depiction of person under 17 years of age involved in obscene act, one count of first-degree sodomy and one count material harmful to minors-distribution. Bond for the charges totaled $123,000.

A Shelby County sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a Westover residence Dec. 6 to take a report of sexual abuse of a minor child. Sheriff’s investigators say there was a pre-existing family relationship between the victim and Hankins.

Sheriff’s investigators, with assistance from Hoover police investigators, served search warrants on two residences and seized evidence at both locations that is currently being examined. The investigation remains open and active.

Hankins is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing before Shelby County Circuit Judge Dan Reeves Jan. 15 at 8:30 a.m., according to court documents.