By John Hyde
Former BYU professor Robert Jackson plead guilty in Provo''s 4th District Court Tuesday, April 11, 2006, to two counts of exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony.
Each count carries a sentence of one to 15 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.
Jackson, 63, wearing a blue sweater and a closely trimmed white goatee, quietly answered Judge Lynn Davis'' questions.
Asked if he had been illegally forced in his plea, Jackson''s attorney, John Allen, informed the court that Jackson felt pressured by the federal government, albeit not by illegal means.
'If he didn''t plead guilty today to the two felony counts, the federal government was prepared to indict him on at least one count that would carry 10 to 20 years,' Allen said. 'He wanted that concern to be raised, that he felt it was a threat. But it''s not unlawful.'
The federal government often becomes involved in any child pornography case that involves a camera, Allen said.
Jackson was arrested Feb. 16 after police found a video clip of a minor in various stages of undress on his laptop. He was originally charged with two counts of voyeurism and one count of exploitation of a minor. He resigned as an information systems professor at BYU Feb. 17.
Jackson''s sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 23.