Auchincloss expected to plead guilty in Oregon child pornography case

Jackson County Deputy District Attorney David Hoppe said that Auchincloss, 63, of Ashland, will appear in Jackson County Circuit Court Wednesday in Medford, where he will plead guilty to two felony counts of encouraging child sex abuse, the charge generally brought against people accused of possessing child pornography.

Auchincloss was indicted a year ago after his longtime personal assistant, Edward McManus, told investigators he had seen Auchincloss and codefendant Dennis Vickoren viewing pictures of naked boys in sexual poses at Auchincloss’s home.

Vickoren is also scheduled to plead guilty.

Though the charges are eligible for a sentence of probation, Auchincloss told the Associated Press that he expects to have to serve some time and has been examined by a psychologist who reported to prosecutors that he had no pornography problem.

“Whatever they thought the problem was has been cleared up,’’ Auchincloss said. “I will be a guest of the state. They’ll see me and I’ll see them and we’ll come to an understanding.’’

Auchincloss said he will spend any time behind bars writing.

Defense attorney Carl Caplan said he had no comment on the announcement from District Attorney Mark Huddleston.

“We’ll be there on Wednesday,’’ he said.

Vickoren did not immediately return a telephone call.

Hoppe said the counts against Auchincloss allege that he possessed images on a computer disc and slides that he got from Vickoren, knowing that the children in the images had been victims of child abuse.

The counts are eligible for a sentence of probation, with conditions such as completing sex offender treatment and registering as a sex offender.