Roads

Jeff Roads pleaded not guilty to two federal child pornography charges earlier this week and a tentative trial date was set for April 1, per court documents.

Roads, 45, previously worked for the City of Marshalltown as streets superintendent. He was arrested on a charge of transportation of child pornography in January and is now also charged with one count of possession of child pornography, court documents show.

During a Jan. 14 hearing, FBI Special Agent Chris Thomas testified that, while searching Roads’ personal cell phone, he found multiple images which he determined to depict child pornography.

Conversations shared via the Kik app were also found on Roads’ phone, Thomas said. He said the chats involved subjects including child pornography and child rape.

After hearing from witnesses called by Roads’ defense and Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Leemkuil, Adams decided that Roads was to be detained pending trial.

According to arraignment hearing minutes from earlier this week, Roads will remain detained at Polk County Jail pending further proceedings.

District Judge Stephanie M. Rose is set to preside over the Roads trial on April 1 at the U.S. District Courthouse, 123 E. Walnut St., Des Moines.

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Contact Adam Sodders at (641) 753-6611 or asodders@timesrepublican.com