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December 3, 2009

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March 6 trial set for man charged in child-porn case

Bill Gang

Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999 | 10:01 a.m.

Nearly two years after Frederick Osburn was arrested, a March 6 trial date has been set for the 44-year-old casino worker charged with 57 counts of possessing child pornography and nine other charges.

Osburn originally was arraigned on the felony charges in December 1997 and demanded his right to a speedy trial within 60 days, but courtroom wrangling over legal issues repeatedly delayed the trial.

District Judge Mark Gibbons on Tuesday again rejected an request by defense attorney Chip Siegel to rule inadmissible a search warrant that led to the discovery of the sexually explicit material in his home.

Gibbons then set the trial date to give Osburn his day in court on the charges that could put him in prison for the rest of his life if he is convicted.

Along with the kiddie porn counts, Osburn is charged with using a minor in the production of pornography, open and gross lewdness, attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools.

The kiddie porn was among thousands of photographs and hundreds of videos depicting naked youngsters and explicit sexual acts involving adults -- most of it legal and not at issue in the court case.

One key piece of evidence against Osburn is a videotape shot apparently during a late night break-in at the home of an adolescent girl.

The video of the unidentifiable girl was hidden in the middle of a tape of Osburn family events.

The burglary-related charges stemmed from his apprehension after police observed him prowling through residential neighborhoods.

Police officers searching for a serial rapist who had victimized the northeast section of the Las Vegas Valley had targeted Osburn for around-the-clock surveillance in mid-September 1997.

The surveillance led to the search warrant of his home near Stewart Avenue and Nellis Boulevard that led to the illicit items presented in court.

Osburn's charges, however, have no connection to the serial sexual assaults.

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