Indictment delayed in Loskarn child porn case

The child pornography case against Sen. Lamar Alexander’s (R-Tenn.) former chief of staff has been delayed, with Judge John M. Facciola granting the government an additional month to secure an indictment.

Prosecutors now have until Feb. 10, instead of Jan. 11, to formally indict Jesse Ryan Loskarn, 35.

{mosads}The request, made jointly by the prosecution and Loskarn’s defense lawyers, indicates a plea agreement might be reached before the deadline. Both parties “intend to explore the possibility of a pre-indictment disposition,” the motion says.

Under normal circumstances, the federal Speedy Trial Act requires defendants be indicted within 30 days of arrest. The motion requested additional time for the indictment due to the need to complete forensics work, supply Loskarn’s defense with discovery and to make up for the time attorneys took off during the holiday season.

Loskarn began serving as Alexander’s chief of staff in January 2012. He was arrested on Dec. 11, after federal agents searched his home, and was fired by Alexander the same day.

He was released into the custody of his parents on Dec. 16. The terms of his release prohibit him from leaving their Maryland home or using any electronic device capable of accessing the Internet.

Loskarn is accused of purchasing multiple child pornography videos and also sharing one such video on a peer-to-peer site. The most severe charge against him carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, with a maximum of 20.