Child Pornography Trial Delayed for UW Assistant Professor

The trial for a University of Wyoming assistant professor accused of possession of child pornography has been delayed.

Jian Cai was scheduled to go to trial on Monday, Oct. 2, in U.S. District Court in Cheyenne, but the trial was delayed when the defense filed a motion and hired additional counsel. The trial was rescheduled for Oct. 31.

Cai, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UW, is accused of possessing child pornography. According to the complaint, Cai connected to the internet using the UW network to access some of the child pornography.

Cai is currently out on bond. If convicted of the charge, he faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

UW Spokesman Chad Baldwin said Cai is still on administrative leave without pay from the university.

Cai is no longer listed on the staff webpage of the UW mechanical and energy systems engineering department.