Federal Trial for Jeffrey Allen Koistinen Delayed to March 2026 Following State Court Conviction
- Steve Jurrens
- Nov 12
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The federal criminal case against Jeffrey Allen Koistinen in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona has been postponed, with both the trial and a critical evidence hearing now rescheduled for early 2026.
The postponement comes as Koistinen’s defense and the Government engage in renewed settlement negotiations following Koistinen’s separate state court conviction on October 23, 2025. His sentencing in the state case is scheduled for November 26, 2025.
Koistinen faces an 11-count federal indictment, including charges of Attempted Production of Child Pornography, Attempted Coercion and Enticement, and Receipt of Child Pornography.
New Federal Court Schedule
On November 4, 2025, District Judge Angela M. Martinez and Magistrate Judge Eric J. Markovich issued orders granting motions to continue the scheduled deadlines, finding that the continuance serves the ends of justice by allowing reasonable time for adequate preparation.
The new key dates are as follows:
·Evidentiary Hearing on Motions to Suppress:
The hearing on the defense’s attempt to exclude key electronic evidence has been continued from November 13, 2025, to January 21, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.. The defense needs the outcome of this hearing to prepare for trial.
·Plea Deadline: The deadline for a change of plea has been extended to February 20, 2026.
·Jury Trial: The trial, initially set for December 9, 2025, is now reset for March 10, 2026, at 9:30 a.m..
Detention Status and Conflict Resolution
Jeffrey Allen Koistinen remains in federal custody after Magistrate Judge Markovich denied his motion for release on September 12, 2025.
In a prior procedural ruling, the Court addressed a potential conflict of interest involving the lead defense counsel, Nicholas Loncar, arising from his previous representation of Koistinen's son and potential government witness, Brandon Koistinen. That issue was resolved by appointing "walled-off" independent counsel, Efthymios Katsarelis, to handle the cross-examination of the witness, should he be called.
Koistinen signed a Conflict Waiver affirming his acceptance of this arrangement on August 22, 2025.
Northeast Radio SD News will continue to track the case and provide updates as they become available.
