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The sentencing of former Blount County Magistrate Dustin Hatcher on one count of sexual exploitation of a minor has been postponed until October.

Hatcher had been scheduled to be sentenced Monday, but, according to the Sevier County Circuit Court Clerk's Office, the hearing will now be held at 9 a.m. on Oct. 6.

On June 3, Hatcher pleaded guilty to the charge, appearing before Sevier County Circuit Court Judge Rex Henry Ogle, as part of a plea agreement reached with Special Prosecutor Al Schmutzer.

According to the terms of the agreement, Hatcher accepted the maximum sentence for the Class D felony, up to four years imprisonment, and waived his right to appeal the sentencing.

Ogle has the option of giving Hatcher judicial deferral, which could eventually remove the conviction from his record, probation or jail time. If Hatcher does not receive deferral, he will have to register with the state as a sex offender.

The charge against Hatcher stemmed from an incident that happened on or about Nov. 30, 2006, at the Blount County Justice Center. According to the complaint report, Hatcher, 26, called a 17-year-old girl into his office and coerced her into putting on lingerie and took pictures of her, including her bare breasts.

A civil suit filed against Hatcher and his father, Blount County Circuit Court Clerk Tom Hatcher, Blount County and the clerk's office, was settled by the county on Jan. 10, 2007, for $45,000.

Dustin Hatcher resigned from his post as magistrate -- a person who signs arrest warrants, approves some search warrants and sets bonds -- on Dec. 2, 2006.