A Minot man pleaded not guilty to one count of promoting a sexual performance by a minor, a Class B felony, after his preliminary hearing on Thursday.

Luke Montandon, 33, Minot, entered his not guilty plea to the charge in North Central District Court on Thursday.

According to court documents, the charge against Montandon arose from an investigation into a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Jan. 30. The cybertip identified one file of apparent child sexual abuse material uploaded in an anonymous messaging app by an account linked to an email address used by Montandon.

The cybertip was referred to investigators with the North Dakota Bureau of Investigation as it was believed Montandon lived in Minot. BCI investigators noted three previous cybertips that listed Montandon as a suspect, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

A subsequent search warrant served on Montandon’s account with the messaging app located several messages sent by Montandon.

Montandon’s next court date has not been set based on court records. He is currently in custody at the Ward County Jail on a $25,000 cash or corporate surety bond.