A registered sex offender facing allegations of unreported social media use and suspected possession of child pornography appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court on Monday, where a judge denied a request to lower his bond.

Michael Frederick Heffner, 68, of Midway, made the appearance with his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Christopher Sant, who sought to reduce Heffner’s $25,000 bond. Prosecutors opposed the motion, and Circuit Judge Andrew Bailey ruled the bond would remain unchanged. Heffner is scheduled to reappear in court on October 12.

According to court records, Heffner was arrested on June 15 following a compliance visit by Baxter County Sheriff’s Deputy Tanner Anderson, who oversees sex offender registrations. Heffner is required to register as a Level 3 sex offender due to a 2008 conviction for child enticement with sexual contact. The victim in that case was a female relative between 9 and 11 years old.

During the compliance visit at Heffner's residence along Cedar Hills Road, authorities asked whether he had any unreported updates or changes to his registry information. According to a probable cause affidavit, Heffner admitted to having an Instagram account that he had not reported. Further inspection of Heffner’s cellphone revealed multiple unreported social media accounts, including Telegram, which allows users to exchange messages and images.

The affidavit states that when Heffner’s Telegram account was accessed, a video containing suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) was actively displayed on the screen. Heffner was immediately taken into custody. In a subsequent interview with investigators, Heffner reportedly admitted to viewing child pornography the night before the visit. He also allegedly disclosed that he had viewed similar material on another electronic device in the home.

Both devices were seized and are undergoing forensic analysis.

Heffner has been charged with two Class C felonies: distributing, possessing, or viewing material depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, and failure to comply with sex offender registration and reporting requirements. Court records show he entered a not guilty plea at an earlier appearance.

Heffner remains in custody at the Baxter County Detention Center.