The Latest: German illusionist’s porn trial begins in Vegas

LAS VEGAS – The Latest on the trial of German illusionist Jan Rouven Fuechtener in Las Vegas (all times local):

11 a.m.

A defence attorney for a jailed Las Vegas Strip illusionist complained that a prosecutor’s opening statement at a child pornography trial misstated the facts of the federal case.

However, lawyers for defendant Jan Rouven Fuechtener postponed presenting an outline of his defence until the government delivered its case.

Fuechtener’s trial began Monday before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Gloria Navarro in Las Vegas.

He has pleaded not guilty to collecting thousands of videos and images on computers at his home, including some depicting sex acts with kindergarten-age children.

He has chosen to have the case heard by the judge, not a jury.

Defence attorney Jess Marchese (mar-KAY’-see) said outside court it’s likely that Fuechtener will testify in his defence, maybe Wednesday.

Fuechtener is a German citizen who performed on the Las Vegas Strip as Jan Rouven until his arrest last March.

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8 a.m.

A judge is due to begin hearing evidence against a Las Vegas Strip illusionist from Germany who faces the possibility of decades in prison and up to $1 million in fines on federal child pornography charges.

Jan Rouven Fuechtener’s non-jury trial starts Monday before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Gloria Navarro.

The 39-year-old Fuechtener is a German citizen who performed on the Las Vegas Strip as Jan Rouven.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging that he collected more than 3,500 videos and images on computers at his home, including some depicting sex acts with kindergarten-age children

His show, “The New Illusions” at the Tropicana hotel-casino, closed following his arrest March 16.

Fuechtener has remained in federal custody while his trial has been postponed several times.