State District Judge Jack Skeen Jr. in Tyler has denied a motion Tuesday for a change of venue in the trial of Patrick Kelly, who is accused of forcing young children to have sex with each other for a paid audience.

Kelly's defense team sought to move the trial from Smith County, which attorney Thad Davidson contended was saturated with biased media coverage that tainted the jury pool. Skeen rejected those arguments.

The trial is set to begin July 14.

Kelly, 41, faces up to life in prison if convicted.

Two other accused members of the Mineola, Texas, group were convicted earlier and sentenced to life in prison.

From The Associated Press