Child porn charges brought against singer

SALT LAKE CITY, July 13 (UPI) -- A former "American Idol" contestant is accused of producing a "sexually explicit" video of two underage girls and possessing images of child pornography.

Daniel James "D.J." Boyd, who went to Los Angeles in 2004 to audition for "American Idol" pleaded not guilty to the federal child pornography charges, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Thursday.

The charges stem from a West Valley City police investigation of an alleged sexual assault of two minors.

If convicted on both counts, Boyd could face up to 40 years in prison. The production of child pornography charge carries a 15-year mandatory minimum.

A four-day jury trial was scheduled for Sept. 18 before U.S. District Judge Dee Benson.

Boyd has also been charged in Utah's 3rd District Court with sexual exploitation of a minor, 11 counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and two counts of unlawful sale or supply of alcohol to minors.

A preliminary hearing on the state charges is scheduled for July 25.