FAYETTE COUNTY — Bail has been set at $2 million for a 36-year-old Vandalia man arrested Friday after failing to appear earlier in the week for his jury trial on 10 counts possessing child pornography.

Ryan Koontz is being held in the Fayette County Jail. After rejecting a plea agreement in the case charging him with two counts Class X felony possession of child pornography and eight counts Class 2 felony possession of child pornography, Koontz was scheduled for a jury trial starting April 24.

However, Koontz failed to appear in court Monday for jury selection and then again Tuesday for opening arguments. Prosecutors could have proceeded to try him in absentia Tuesday but in a highly unusual turn of events his attorney Shin Cho also did not appear.

A warrant was subsequently issued for Koontz’ arrest, with bail set at $2 million – a notable increase from the $300,000 bail originally set in the case – and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and Crimestoppers offered a reward for Koontz’ whereabouts.

Cho ultimately appeared in court the next day and status hearing was scheduled. According to court records, Cho had previously been a no-show in this case and could be facing his own penalties in connection with not appearing in court Tuesday.

Koontz had been free on $30,000 cash bond, with $5,000 of that having since been paid toward his defense. He’s now expected to appear in court Monday.