Rearraignment scheduled in Carroll sex abuse case

Former Carroll County Public Schools teacher Kenneth Fischer, who is facing federal charges in relation to sexual abuse of a minor, is due back in court today for a rearraignment hearing. While she could not comment directly on Fischer’s case, Marcia Murphy, with the U.S. attorney’s office, said via email that “generally, a rearraignment indicates a change of plea.” Fischer’s attorney, Michael Montemarano, said via email he could not speak to what would occur today in court. Fischer, 40, was indicted Feb. 22 on federal charges related to the alleged use of a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Between Aug. 31 and Sept. 5 of 2017, Fischer allegedly used email and text messaging to attempt to coerce a minor to meet him for sex, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for Maryland. In May, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Fischer for production of child pornography, attempted production of child pornography, transportation of child pornography, receipt of child pornography and using a facility of interstate commerce to attempt to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity. Fischer has previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, and in a September hearing, tried to be released into the custody of his father until the trial scheduled for March. That request was denied. While Fischer’s attorney could not comment on what would happen at Tuesday’s hearing, documents from late September show conversations around a potential plea deal occurred. On Sept. 19, federal prosecutors filed a motion to seek more time under the Speedy Trial Act, a motion that was subsequently granted by a federal judge Sept. 20. It was in that motion that the prosecution cited ongoing plea discussions as a need for more time. “For the reasons set forth