The sentencing hearing for 56-year old William Frakes of Vandalia has been continued due to a change of defense counsel. Frakes was convicted by a jury on three counts of possession of child pornography depicting a child under the age of 13. As the sentencing hearing was set to get under way, Judge Kevin Parker informed the court that Frakes had submitted a letter in which he stated he had obtained new counsel. Defense attorney Robert Bas informed the court that he would be entering a motion to withdraw as counsel and when Frakes was questioned about the letter stating he was seeking new counsel and Bas’ motion to withdraw, Frakes stated that he had actually fired Bas and did not want him as his attorney any longer and that he had hired attorney Monroe McWard as his new counsel. Over objection from the State as they were prepared to move forward with sentencing, Parker granted a motion to continue the matter. A status hearing is now set with new counsel McWard for April 28 at 9am. Frakes was found guilty of two counts of possession of child pornography of a sadistic nature depicting a victim reasonable known to be under the age of 13 which are Class X felonies and punishable by up to 30 years in prison. The third count Frakes was found guilty of is possession of child pornography depicting a victim reasonably known to be under the age of 13 which is a Class 2 felony.