Steven Craig Powell, 64, pleaded not guilty to a reinstated charge of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree. A 2012 search of his home revealed that Powell possessed photos of two young neighbor girls in their bathroom in various stages of undress. Powell is being held in the Pierce County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

“I hope this will be the last chapter in the Steven Powell saga,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.In 2012, Powell was charged with 14 counts of voyeurism for taking photos of two young neighbor girls. He was also charged with possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct in the second degree, commonly known as possession of child pornography. The judge dismissed the child pornography charge because he found that the images did not constitute “sexually explicit conduct.” The Prosecutor’s Office appealed and the decision was overturned by the Washington Court of Appeals.

“We were always confident the child pornography charges were proper, and we are pleased the higher court agreed,” said Prosecutor Lindquist. “Mr. Powell should be held fully accountable for grossly violating the privacy of his young neighbors.”

A jury convicted Powell of the voyeurism charges, and deputy prosecutors Grant Blinn and Bryce Nelson argued for an exceptional sentence of 10 years. The judge sentenced Powell to 30 months in prison, which is above the standard range of 0 to 12 months. Powell served the full term before being released earlier this year.

Powell is the father of Josh Powell, who is suspected to have murdered his wife, Susan Powell, in Utah in 2009. The photos of the neighbor girls were discovered when police searched the Powell residence during the investigation into Susan’s disappearance. On Feb. 5, 2012, Josh killed himself and his two young sons when he burned down his rented home in Graham.

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.