WAUKESHA (WI)
WISN

WAUKESHA, Wis. — A former high-ranking official with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod pleaded guilty Friday to one count of possession of child pornography.

Joel Hochmuth, 52, pleaded guilty to the first count in exchange for two other counts being dropped by the Waukesha County District Attorney’s office.

The plea deal cancels Hochmuth’s jury trial, which was scheduled for next week.

Hochmuth was the director of communications for the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod at the time of his arrest Nov. 15, 2011.