TACOMA, Wash., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- The father-in-law of a missing Utah woman pleaded not guilty Friday in Washington state to possessing sexual photos of women and girls.
A judge set bail at $200,000 for Steve Powell, 61, and ordered him to stay away from children, The News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash., reported. Powell was arrested Thursday night on 15 charges that included voyeurism and possession of pictures of minors engaged in sexually explicit acts.
The charges against Powell stem from the investigation into the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell, Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the Pierce County sheriff, said. Utah detectives found more than 2,000 images during searches of Steve Powell's home in Puyallup, Wash., and notified Pierce County investigators.
Images of Susan Powell were found among the others, said investigators, who believe many of those photographed were unaware they were being watched. Troyer said the photos, some of which were taken from Steve Powell's home, were of a sexual nature and were taken in public or through windows with a telephoto lens.
The newspaper also said Powell claimed in TV interviews last month his daughter-in-law had been sexually flirtatious with him, an allegation her family denies.
Susan Powell, 28, a native of Puyallup, vanished in December 2009, while she, her husband Josh and their two children were living in West Valley City, Utah. Josh Powell, who has since returned to Puyallup, was named a person of interest by West Valley police after he told them he took their young sons on a short camping trip and found his wife missing when he returned.
Susan Powell's parents have gone to court to obtain custody of the two boys, who had been living with their father at Steve Powell's home, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. A state social services official said said the 4- and 6-year-old boys have been taken into state custody.
"I think its a sad day for the Powell family," Chuck Cox said following a Friday custody hearing. "I'm relieved the children are no longer in that household."
Another hearing is to be held Wednesday.
