Christopher wants federal solicitation charges dropped

DAVENPORT, IOWA - Former Challand Middle School gym teacher Charles W. Christopher, charged in federal court with soliciting sex from a minor, has filed a motion to dismiss the charges. Prosecutors have until Wednesday to respond; in the meantime, his trial was rescheduled from July 23 to Aug. 27. Christopher, 28, of Rock Falls, pleaded not guilty in May to two counts of "attempting to entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual activities." He faces five to 30 years in prison on each count. In his motion, Christopher's attorney, Leon Spies, contends that the federal indictment is too vague, because "illicit sexual activities" fails to specify what, if any, type of sexual crimes Christopher could be charged with. Spies then cites at least n