Jackie’s half brother pleads not guilty to child pornography charges

Auchincloss pleads not guilty in child porn case

MEDFORD, Ore. — James Auchincloss, half brother of the late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was freed without bail Tuesday after pleading not guilty to charges of possessing and duplicating child pornography.

Dressed casually in a blue blazer, polo shirt and slacks, the 62-year-old Ashland resident appeared in Jackson County Circuit Court.

His attorney, Carl Caplan, waived reading of the 25-count felony indictment charging that Auchincloss encouraged child sexual abuse by the duplication and possession of child pornography.

Neither Caplan nor Auchincloss would comment on the charges outside the courtroom.

The charges were filed after Auchincloss’ long-time personal assistant Edward F. McManus III told investigators he had seen Auchincloss and co-defendant Dennis Vickoren viewing pictures of naked boys in sexual poses at Auchincloss’ home.

Deputy District Attorney David Hoppe did not oppose the release of Auchincloss.

Judge Lisa Greif granted the state’s request that Auchincloss be barred from having any contact with minors and that he contact authorities before leaving the state.

Vickoren, 57, of Eagle Point had been scheduled to be arraigned at the same time, but his appearance was delayed because his attorney had a family emergency, Hoppe said.

No trial date was set.

Court records said Ashland police were tipped off last August by McManus, who gave them computer discs carrying images of young boys in sexual poses and e-mails between Auchincloss and Vickoren.

Police served search warrants on the homes of both suspects last October while they were away on a trip. Computers, photographs and booklets were seized.

Police also searched the two defendants at the Medford airport when they returned from a trip and seized a laptop computer and digital and video cameras.