A Beatrice man in prison for beating and raping a woman has pleaded not guilty to separate federal child pornography charges.

Joseph Buttercase entered to plea in federal court last Thursday, and his pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 12 in Omaha.

Buttercase is accused of enticing a person younger than 18 to engage in sexually explicit conduct and of transporting child pornography across state lines.

If convicted, the 31-year-old Buttercase could face up to life in prison for manufacturing child pornography. He faces additional time if convicted of transportation and possession of child pornography.

Buttercase is currently serving 26 to 41 years in a Nebraska state prison after being convicted of beating and raping a 29-year-old woman in July 2011.