BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - A judge today denied a request for bond for a Birmingham police officer, who faces arson and child pornography charges. The arson charges are related to a series of fires in western Birmingham and in Warrior.

Two other people, including another Birmingham police officer, are charged in connection with the arsons in western Birmingham.

Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Clyde Jones, citing the seriousness of the charges, denied bond for Curtis Jeffrey Thornton during a hearing this morning. Thornton's trial is set for June 10.

Jones asked Deputy Jefferson County District Attorney John Geer why he thought Thornton may have committed the arsons. "Personally, I think he's a fire bug, a pyromaniac," he said.

Thornton's attorney, Brett Austin Hamock, after the hearing, said that his client maintains his innocence and he will fight all the charges. "There is no evidence to support he is a fire bug," he said.

Hamock said that the child pornography charge is "not what people think it is."

Under state law any photos of what somebody thinks might be someone under the age of 17 could be used to bring a child pornography charge, Hamock said.

Thornton was indicted on the three counts of second degree arson, one count of attempted arson, and one count of criminal mischief, plus the possession of child pornography charge.

Geer said that the pornography charge also has been sent to a grand jury. Thornton could face up to seven counts of possession of child pornography based on seven images found on the computer, he told the judge.

Geer argued that Thornton was a flight risk and was a danger to the public.

Hamock said that Thornton wasn't a danger to the public or a flight risk because he had appeared at all his hearings while previously out on bond on the arson charges. The bond was revoked after Thornton was re-arrested on the child porn charge in January.

Two others, including another Birmingham police officer, are charged in relation to an investigation of fires at homes in the western Birmingham community of Ensley. The three are set for separate trials.

Updated at 1:21 p.m. April 15, 2013 to correct quote by prosecutor John Geer