Lighthall pleads not guilty

Jyni Ekins

Former ISU student Jason Lighthall pleaded not guilty to five counts relating to child pornography at his arraignment in the Des Moines Federal Court on Friday.

Lighthall, 20, of Altoona was indicted last month on four counts related to distribution, receipt and possession of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The final count relates to the seizure of Lighthall’s computer, which contains pictures, according to ISU Police.

Des Moines-based U.S. Attorney Al Overbaugh said Lighthall could face up to five years in prison for the possession of the child pornography and up to 15 years for his receipt and distribution of the pictures, according to staff reports.

Paul Scott, Lighthall’s attorney, said a trial date was set for Nov. 4. “We had a detention hearing and he was released, and he has specific conditions of release,” Scott said.