MOORHEAD, Minn. (KFGO-AM) - A judge overseeing the prosecution of two USHL hockey players accused of making a sex video with a teenage girl in Moorhead has removed himself from the case.
The recusal by Clay County District Court Judge Galen Vaa means the case has been re-assigned to District Court Judge Michael Fritz.
Thomas Ryan Carey of Moorhead and Brandon Smith of California are charged with using a minor in a sexual performance and possessing and distributing child pornography.
Attorneys on both sides had been embroiled in legal arguments surrounding the removal of judges from each of the men's cases. Minnesota law allows attorneys to remove one judge from any case without cause.
Carey and Smith remain free on bond.