WASHINGTON — The jury selection process has begun in the long awaited John Stagliano obscenity trial. According to www.xbiz.com the trial was set to begin Wednesday but jury selection is taking longer than expected.

Court officials said it could take two days or more before the jury panel is seated. After that, expect opening statements will more than likely begin at the end of the week.

Stagliano and his companies — Evil Angel Productions Inc. and John Stagliano Inc. — are charged with seven counts for illegal possession, distribution and sale of two videos sent through the mail — “Milk Nymphos” and “Storm Squirters 2 ‘Target Practice'” — and a trailer of “Fetish Fanatic Chapter 5” shown on the Internet.

Stagliano faces a maximum of 32 years in jail and $7 million in fines if convicted on all counts.