Former ISU student Jason Lighthall will be arraigned on five counts of child pornography at 11 a.m. Wednesday in federal court in Des Moines.

On Aug. 14, Lighthall, 20, of Altoona, was indicted on four counts related to “distribution, receipt and possession of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct,” said U.S. Attorney Al Overbaugh of Des Moines. The final count relates to the seizure of Lighthall’s computer, containing the pictures. Overbaugh said Lighthall could face up to five years in prison for possession of the child pornography and up to 15 for his receipt and distribution of the pictures.

Paul Scott, Lighthall’s attorney, said his client will plead not guilty, according to staff reports.

The state of Iowa dropped its charges against Lighthall on Monday because, Overbaugh said, the U.S. Attorney’s office in Des Moines and the Story County Attorney’s office in Nevada agreed Federal Court would be the best place to potentially try the case.

Overbaugh said concurrent jurisdiction would have allowed Lighthall to be tried in both state and federal court but the offices agreed that it would cost too much to proceed in both courts.

Lighthall will enter his plea of either “guilty” or “not guilty,” and if necessary, a trial date will be set.

– Written by Michaela Saunders Daily Staff Writer