# U n i t e d S t a t e s C o u r t o f A pp e a l s

For the Eig hth Circu it

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No . 1 7 -2 0 87

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Un i t ed St at es o f Am eri ca

l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l Pl a i n t i

f f - Ap pel l ee

v

.

J as o n M i ch ael St ru b b erg

l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l Def

en da n t - Ap pel l an t

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

Ap p eal fro m

Un i t ed St at es Di s t ri ct Co u rt

fo r t h e W es t ern Di st ri ct o f M i s s o u ri - Cen t ral Di v is io n

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

Su b m i t t ed : No v em

b er 1 5 , 2 0 1 8

Fi l ed : J ul y 1 2 , 2 0 1 9

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

Befo re GRUENDER, KELLY, an d GRASZ, Ci rcu i t J u dg es

.

_ __ _ _ __ _ __ _ _

GRASZ, Ci rcu i t J u dg e.

A ju ry co n v i ct ed J as o n M i ch ael St ru bb erg o f o n e co un t o f at t em p t i ng t o en t i ce

a m i n o r t o en g ag e i n sex u al act i v i t y i n v i o lat i o n o f 1 8 U.S.C. § 2 4 2 2 (b ). On ap p eal

,

St ru b b erg arg u es t h ere was i n s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o su ppor t his c onvic t ion, c h al l en g est h e d i s t ri ct co u rt ’ s 1 i n st ru ct i o n s t o t h e ju ry , an d co nt en d s cert ai n s u p erv i s ed rel eas e

s p eci al co n d i t i o n s were i m p ro p er. W e affi rm

.

I . Ba ck g ro und

In J an ua r y 2 0 1 6

, l aw en fo rcem en t o ffi ci al s arres t ed St ru b b erg i n a m o t el

p ark i n g l o t wh en h e t ri ed t o m eet u p wi th a wo m an wh om h e b el iev ed t o b e “ Kat h y ,”

an d h er fo u rt een -y ear o l d d au g h t er, “ Ab by .” St ru bb erg h ad , t hro u gh t ex t m es s ag es

wi t h Kat h y

, p l an n ed a ren dezv o u s at t h e m o tel wi t h th e m ot h er an d d au g h ter, d u ri n g

wh i ch h e wo u l d “ t rai n ” Ab b y b y en g ag in g i n s ex ual act s wi t h h er as Kat h y w at ch ed

.

Un b ek n own s t t o St ru b berg , n ei t h er Kat h y n or Ab b y were real peo p l e; i n s t ead , t h ey

were fi ct io n al ch aract ers creat ed as p art o f a s t in g o perat i o n.

Aft er t he arres t

, D et ect i v e A n d rew Ev an s l ed St ru bb erg t o b el i ev e po l i ce h ad

b een t i p p ed o ff b y Kat hy

, w h o h ad g o t t en co l d feet an d cal l ed t he p o l i ce. St ru b b erg

ad m i t t ed t o Det ect i v e Ev an s h e h ad s en t t h e t ex t s t o K at h y i n d i cat i n g h e i n t en d ed to

en g ag e i n s ex ual co n du ct wi th b o t h Ab b y an d Kat h y

.

St ru bb erg w a s t h en ch arg ed wi t h at tem pt i n g t o en t ice a m i n o r t o en g ag e in

s ex u al act i v i t y i n v i o l at i o n o f 1 8 U.S.C. § 2 4 2 2 (b ). T h e c a s e w e n t t o t ri al

. Th e

g o v ern m en t cal l ed fi v e wi tn es s es

, wi t h m o s t o f t h e t es ti m o n y co m i n g fro m Det ect i v e

Ev an s . St ru b b erg cal l ed t h ree wi t n es s es t o t es t i fy , i n cl u d in g h im s el f.

Du ri n g St ru b b erg ’ s t es t i m o n y

, h e ad m i t t ed h e i n i t i al l y i n ten d ed t o h av e s e x

wi t h Ab b y

. St ru b b erg cl ai m ed

, h o wev er, t h i s was o n l y b ecau se h e t h o ug h t i t wo u ld

b e l eg al i f th e m o t h er si g ned a co n t ract g i v i n g h i m p erm i s s i o n. He ex p l ai ned t o t h e

1 Th e Ho n o rab le Bri an C. W i m es

, Un i t ed St at es Di s t ri ct J u d g e fo r t h e W es t ern

Di s t ri ct o f M i s s o u ri

.

-2

-ju ry t hat h e l at er res earch ed t h e l aw an d d et erm i n e d it wo u l d b e i l l eg al to h av e s ex

wi t h a fo u rt een -y ear-o l d ev en wi t h s u ch p aren t al p erm i s s i o n.

Wi t h t h i s i n fo rm at i o n i n m in d

, St ru b b erg cl ai m ed t o t h e j u ry t h at h e d eci d e d

ag ai n s t h av i n g s ex wi t h Ab b y

. St ru b b erg ex p l ai n ed h e n o n et h el es s p ro ceed ed t o t h e

m eet i n g l o cat i o n

. He tes ti fi ed h e d i d t h i s becau s e he wan t ed t o m eet w i t h K at h y

, in

p art , s o h e co u l d t el l h er i n p ers o n t h at h e co u l d n ot h av e s ex wi t h Ab b y u n l es s s h e

c o n v i n c e d h i m i t was l eg al

. He al s o t es t i fi ed th at he h o p ed Kat h y wo u l d ag re e t o

h av e s ex wi t h h im

.

Th e ju ry fo u n d St ru bb erg gu i l t y. Th e d i st ri ct co u rt s en t en ced h i m t o 1 2 0

m o nt h s o f i m

p ri s o n m en t an d fi v e y ears o f s u p erv i s ed rel eas e wi t h s peci al co n d i t i o n s

.

St ru b b erg fi l ed a t i m el y n o t i ce o f ap p eal

, ch al l en g i n g b o t h hi s co n v i ct i o n an d

s en t en ce.

I I . Ana l ys i s

A . Suffi ci ency o f the Ev idence

W e fi rs t co ns i der St ru b berg ’ s at t ack on h i s co n v ict i on b as ed on h is bel i ef t h ere

was i n s uffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o s u p p o rt t h e ju ry ’ s g u il t y fi n d i n g

. Th i s co u rt rev i ews d e

n o v o an ap p eal bas ed o n i ns u ffi ci en cy o f t he ev id en ce. Un i t ed S t a t es v. Y o u n g

, 6 1 3

F.3 d 7 3 5

, 74 2 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 10 ). “ T h e ju ry ’ s v erd ict wi l l be u p h el d i f t here i s an y

i n t erp ret at io n o f t h e ev i d en ce t h at co u l d l ead a reas o n ab l e ju ry t o fi n d t h e d efen d an t

g u i l t y b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t .” Id

.

A co n v i ct i on fo r en ti cem en t o f a m i n o r t o en g ag e i n s ex u al act i v i t i es req u i res

t h e g o vern m en t t o p ro v e b ey o nd a reas o n ab l e d o u b t t h e d efen d an t :

(1 ) u s ed a f

a c i l it y o f i n ters t at e co m

m erce, s u ch as t h e i nt ern et o r th e

t el ep h o n e s y s t em ; (2 ) k n o wi n gl y u sed th e faci l i t y o f i n t er sta te c om m e r ce

-3

-wi t h t h e i nt en t t o p ers u ad e o r en t i ce a pers o n t o en g ag e i n i l l eg al s ex ual

act i v i t y ; an d (3 ) bel i ev ed t h at t h e p ers o n h e s o ug h t t o p ers u ad e o r en t i ce

was u n d er t h e ag e o f ei g h t een

.

Id

. (q u o t in g Un i t ed S t a tes v. Pi er s o n

, 5 4 4 F.3 d 93 3

, 9 3 9 (8 t h Ci r. 20 0 8 ) (cl ean ed u p )).

To p ro v e at t em

p t

, t h e g o v ern m en t m

u s t es tab l i s h “ (1 ) i n t en t to co m m i t t h e

p red i cat e o ffen s e; an d (2 ) co n d u ct t h at i s a su b st an t i al s t ep t o ward i t s co m m i s s i o n.”

Un i ted S t a t es v. S

p u rl o ck

, 4 9 5 F.3 d 10 1 1

, 1 0 1 4 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 07 ). C o n v e r s a t i o n s to

arran g e to hav e s ex w i t h a m i n o r m ay co n st i tu t e at t em p t wh en t h o s e co n v ers at i o n s g o

“ b ey o n d m ere p rep arat i o n ,” are “ n eces sary t o t h e co n s um m at i o n o f t h e cri m e,” an d

“ s t ro n g ly co rro b o rat e . . . cri m i n al i n t en t t o en t ice [a m in o r] .” Id

.

On ap p eal

, St ru b b erg arg u es t h ere i s n o t s u ffi ci en t ev i d e n c e he i n t en d ed to

en g a g e i n i l l eg al act i v i t y b ecau s e, o n ce h e learn ed th e act i v i t y w as i l leg al

, h e

ab an do n ed h i s i n ten t t o en g ag e i n s ex u al co n t act wi t h t h e g i rl

. St ru b berg cl ai m ed to

t h e ju ry h e wen t t o t h e m eet i n g s p o t o n l y b ecau s e h e wan t ed to t el l Kat hy he t h o u g ht

i t was pro b ab l y i l l eg al t o h av e s ex wi t h A b b y

, an d al s o i n t h e h o p e h e co ul d s t i l l h av e

s ex wi th Kat h y

. St ru b b erg al s o arg u es t here was n o t su ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o sh o w t h at

h e t o o k a s ub s t an t i al st ep to ward en g ag in g i n t h e i l l eg al act i v it y becau s e h e refu s ed

t o s t o p h i s car i n t he p ark in g l ot at t h e m o t el an d i n s t ead s o u g h t t o d ri v e away

.

W e fi n d n o m eri t i n St ru b b erg ’ s arg um en t s

. T h ere were n u m ero u s i n s t an ces

wh ere St ru b berg ex p l ici t l y an n o u n ced h i s in t en t t o en g ag e i n sex u al act i v i t y wi th

s o m eo n e h e was t ol d was a m in o r. Th i s h ap p en ed rep eat ed l y du ri n g h i s tex t m es s ag e

co n vers at i on s wi t h Kat h y

. St ru b b erg al s o co n d u ct ed an i n tern et s earch t he m o rn i n g

h e was t o m eet Ab b y t h at us ed cras s s earch t erm s i n d i cat i n g h e h ad a d es i re t o l earn

ab o ut h av i n g s ex wi t h a m i n o r. Fu rt h erm ore, he b o u g h t co nd o m s at t h e co n v en i en ce

-4

-s t ore i m

m ed iat el y b efo re pro ceed i n g t o t h e m o t el

. 2 He al s o w o re a red s h i rt t o m ak e

Ab b y an d Kat hy “ feel co m fo rt ab l e,” aft er Kat h y t o l d h i m red w a s A b b y’s fav o ri t e

co l o r. W h i l e St ru b b erg cert ai nl y h as o ffered ex cu ses fo r m uch o f th i s b eh av i o r an d

a s t o ry t h at he h ad ab an do n ed wro n g fu l i n t e n t w h e n h e wen t t o t he m o t el

, t h e ju ry

was n ot req u i red t o b el i ev e h i m

.

A s t o t h e s u b s tan t i al s t ep el em en t ,“ [a] s u b s t an t i al s t ep g en eral l y ex i s t s w h e n

a d efen dan t t ak es act i o ns ‘ n eces s ary t o t he co ns u m m at i o n o f t he cri m e’ t h at were o f

‘ su ch a n at u re t h at a reas o n ab l e o b s er v e r

, v i ewi n g t h e act io ns in co n t ex t

, co u ld

co n cl u d e t h at t h e act i o n s were u n d ert ak en i n acco rd an ce w i t h a des i g n to ’ co m m i t t h e

act u al o ffen s e.” Y

o u n g

, 6 1 3 F.3 d at 7 4 3 (q u o ti n g Un i ted S t a t es v. Mi m s

, 81 2 F.3 d

1 0 6 8 , 1 0 7 7 (8 th Ci r. 1 9 8 7 ) (cl ean ed u p )).

W e h av e rep eat ed l y h el d t h e su b s tan t ial s t ep el em en t w a s sat i sfi ed b y act s

s i m i l ar t o t h o s e tak en b y St ru bb erg

. S ee i d. (h o l di n g t h e defen d an t t o o k a s u b s t an t i al

s t ep by at t em

p ti ng to ch eck i n to a h o tel ev en t h ou g h he can cel l ed t h e ro o m aft er h i s

cred i t card d ecl i n ed ); Un i ted S t a t es v. Myer s

, 5 7 5 F.3 d 8 0 1

, 8 0 9 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 0 9 )

(h o l d i n g t h e d efen d an t t oo k a s u b st an t i al s t ep t oward co m m i t t i n g a cri m e wh en t h e

e v i d e n ce s h owed h e d ro v e t wo h o u rs t o m eet t h e m in o r an d p o l ice fo un d co n d o m s

an d a d ig i t al cam era i n hi s car); Un i t ed S ta t es v. Pa tt en

, 3 9 7 F.3 d 1 1 0 0

, 1 10 4 (8 t h Ci r.

2 0 0 5 ) (“ Th ere i s cl ear au t h o ri t y fo r t h e g o v ern m en t ’ s p os i t i o n th at [t h e d efen d an t ’ s ]

act o f d ri v i n g t o t h e arran g ed m eet i ng p l ace

. . . was rel ev an t ev i d en ce of a s u b s t an t i al

s t ep .”). Sp eci fi cal l y

, St ru b b erg p l an n ed a s ex u al en co u nt er wi t h a m i n o r a n d t h en

t o o k a s ub st an t i al s t ep b y t rav el i n g t o t he m eet in g p l ace, b u y i n g co n do m s

, an d t h en

d ri v i ng t o t h e m ot el . Th e ev id en ce i s s uffi ci en t t o u p h ol d St ru bb erg ’ s co n v i ct i o n

.

2 St ru b b erg an d K at hy h ad o ri g i n al l y p lan n ed to m eet at t h e co nv en i en ce s t o re.

St ru b b erg recei v ed a t ex t m es s ag e t el l i ng h i m Kat h y an d A b b y w o u ld m eet h i m at a

n earb y m o t el b ecau s e t h ere were t o o m an y cars at t h e co n v en i en ce s t ore.

-5

-B. J ury I ns tructi o ns

St ru bb erg ch al l en ges t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt ’ s ju ry i n s t ru ct io n s i n t wo way s . Fi rs t

,

h e arg ues h e was en t i t l ed t o an en t rap m en t d efen s e i n s t ru ct i o n. H e al s o arg u es t h e

d i s t ri ct co u rt ab us ed i t s d is cret i o n b y i n s t ru ct i n g t h e ju ry i t co u l d n o t al l ow t h e fact

t h e g o v ern m en t u sed d ecep t i v e m ean s d u ri n g th e s t i n g o p erat i o n t o affect i ts v erd i ct

.

Nei t h er arg u m en t warran ts rev ers al

.

1 . Entra pm ent I ns tructi o n

“ Th e refu s al o f a p ro ffered en t r a p m e n t i n s t ru ct i o n is a den i al o f a l eg al

d efen s e.” Un i ted S t a t es v. Co o ke

, 67 5 F.3 d 11 5 3

, 1 1 5 5– 5 6 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 2 ).

Co n s eq u en t l y

, t h i s co u rt rev i ews a d en i al o f an en t rap m en t in s t ru ct i o n d e no v o

. Id

.

at 1 1 5 6.

“ A d efen d an t i s en t i tl ed t o an i n s t ru ct i o n on t he affi rm at i v e en t rap m en t d efen s e

i f s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce ex i s t s fro m wh i ch a reas o n a b l e ju ry co u l d fi n d t h at [t h e]

g o v ern m e n t en t rap p ed h i m .” Un i t ed S t a t es v. W yn n

, 8 2 7 F.3 d 7 7 8, 78 6 (8 t h Ci r.

2 0 1 6 )

. “ A v al id en t rap m en t defen s e h as t wo rel at ed el em en t s: go v ern m en t

i n d u cem en t o f t h e cri m e, an d a l ack o f pred i s p os i t i o n o n t he p art o f t h e d efen d an t to

en g ag e i n cri m i nal co n du ct .” Id

. (q u o t i n g Ma t hews v. U ni t ed S t a t es

, 4 85 U.S. 5 8

, 6 3

(1 9 8 8) (cl ean ed u p )).

“ To warran t an in s tru ct i on

, a d efen d an t al l eg i n g en t rap m en t m u s t ‘ s h o w t h a t

t h e g o v ern m en t ag en t s i m pl an t ed t h e cri m i nal d es ig n in h i s m i n d an d i nd u ced h i m to

co m m i t t h e o ffen s e.’ ” Id

. (q u o t i n g U n i t ed S t a t es v. Ken d

r ick

, 4 2 3 F.3 d 8 0 3

, 8 0 7 (8 th

C i r

. 2 0 0 5)). “ Ev i d en ce t h at Go v ern m en t ag en t s m erel y affo rd ed an o p po rt u n i t y o r

fa c i l i t i es fo r t h e co m

m i s s i o n o f t h e cri m e wo u l d b e i n s uffi ci en t t o warran t an

en t rap m en t i n s t ru ct i o n .” Id

. (q u o t i n g Ma t h ews , 4 8 5 U.S. at 6 6 (cl ean ed u p)).

-6

-“ En t rap m en t o c c u r s o n l y wh en t h e cri m i n al co n du ct w as t h e p ro d uct o f t h e

cr ea t i ve act i v i t y o f l aw-en fo rcem en t offi c i a l s .” Id

. (q uo t i n g S h er ma n v. Un i t ed

S t a t es

, 3 5 6 U.S. 3 6 9, 37 2 (1 9 5 8 )). Fact o rs rel ev an t to d et erm i ni n g w h et h er a

d efen d an t was i n d u ced t o en t i ce a m i n o r i n s ex u al act i v i t y i n cl u d e th e fo l l o wi n g : (1 )

wh et h er t h e g o v ern m en t o ffi ci al s i n i t i at ed t h e co n t act ; (2 ) wh o i nt ro d u ced t h e t o p i cs

o f m eet i n g an d s ex ; an d (3 ) t h e d eg ree to wh i ch t h e go v ern m en t o ffi ci al s i n fl u en ced

t h e b eh av i o r o f t h e d efen d an t b y p o rt ray i n g m i n o rs as s ex u al l y p reco ci o us

. Y

o u n g

,

6 1 3 F.3 d at 7 4 7

.

Th e d i s t ri ct co urt co n cl u d ed t h e i n st ru ct io n was n o t warran t ed

, i n p art

, b ecau s e

t h e g o vern m en t d id n o t i n d u ce t h e cri m e. W e ag ree.

St ru b berg in i t i at ed co n t act w i t h l aw en fo rcem en t o ffi ci al s , wh o were p o s i n g

as Kat h y

. St ru b b erg as k ed Kat h y wh at sh e wan t ed h i m t o t each h er d au gh t er. Aft er

Kat h y m a d e a s ex u al l y s u g g es t i v e s t at em en t

— t hat sh e wan t ed h i m t o t each h er

d au gh t er “ d i s ci p l in e, res pect

, an d b i rd s an d b ees s t u f f : ) ”

— St ru b b erg al m o s t

i m m ed i at el y b ro u g h t u p h av in g s ex wi t h t h e g i rl des p i te b ei n g t o l d s h e was o n l y

fo u rt een y ears ol d

. Ov er t he n ex t s ev eral d ay s

, St ru b berg rep eat ed l y i n i t i at ed ex p l i ci t

d i s cu s s i o n s o f t h e s ex ual act s h e wo u l d en g ag e i n wi t h t h e ch i l d

. An d des p i t e b ei n g

g i v en n um ero u s o p p o rt u n i t ies to b ack o ut o f t h e arran g em en t

, St ru b b erg p ers i s t ed in

en co urag i n g Kat h y t o p ro ceed an d co n t i n u ed t o arran g e t h e d et ai ls of t h e ren d ezv o u s

.

Co n s i d eri n g th es e fact s, St ru b b erg d i d n ot m eet h i s b u rd en o f es t ab l i s h i n g t h ere was

s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t h e g o v ern m en t i n d uced h i m

. S e e Y o u n g

, 6 1 3 F.3 d at 7 4 7

(h o l d i n g t h e d efen d an t d i d n o t es tab l i s h t he g ov ern m en t i nd u ced h im to co m m i t t h e

cri m e o f en t i ci n g a m i n o r ev en t h ou g h t he g o v ern m en t i ni t i at ed s o m e o f t h e s ex u al

co n vers at i on s an d arg u ab l y p o rt ray ed t h e pu rp o rt ed m i n o r as a “ s ex u al l y p reco ci ou s

t een ag er”).

St ru bb erg rel i e s o n cas es fro m o u t s i d e t h is ci rcu i t to co n t en d he was en t i t l ed

t o t h e ju ry i n s tru ct i o n

. S ee Un i t ed S t at es v

. G a m a c h e

, 1 5 6 F.3 d 1

, 1 0

– 1 1 (1 s t Ci r.

-7

-1 9 9 8 ); Un i t ed S t a t es v. McGi l l

, 7 5 4 F.3 d 4 5 2, 4 5 4 (7 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 4 ). W e d o n ot

b el i ev e t he fact s i n Ga ma ch e o r McGi l l are an al o g ou s t o th e fact s o f t h i s cas e. In

Ga ma ch e

, t h e g o v ern m en t fi rs t i n i t i at ed t h e i d ea o f t h e d efen d an t hav i n g s ex wi t h t h e

u n d erag e ch i l d ren an d t h e d efen d an t i ni t i al l y o n l y ex p res s ed a d es i re t o h av e a s ex u al

rel at i o n s h i p wi t h t h e ch il d ren ’ s m o t h er. 15 6 F.3 d at 1 0

– 1 1

. Here, St ru b b erg was t h e

fi rs t t o di rect l y referen ce s ex wi t h a m i n o r an d on l y l at er t ri ed to co nv i n ce t h e m o t h er

t o h av e s ex wi t h h i m

. An d i n McGi l l t h e co u rt st res s ed t h e fact t h e d efen d an t ’ s fri en d

(wh o was wo rk i ng u n d erco ver in co o p erat i on wi t h t h e g o v ern m en t) k ep t p u sh i n g t h e

cri m e o n t h e d efen d an t

, d es p i t e t h e d efen d an t ’ s rep eat ed at t em p ts t o ch an g e t h e t o p i c

an d can cel m eet in g s wi t h h i s fri en d

. 7 5 4 F.3 d at 4 5 5

, 4 5 9

. Ou r rev iew o f t h e reco rd

co n vi n ces u s St ru b b erg d i d n o t recei v e t h e p res su re or m an i p u l at io n p l aced o n t h e

d e f e n d an t s i n Ga ma ch e o r McGi l l

. T h es e cas es

, t h erefo re, d o n o t co n v i n ce u s

St ru b b erg was en t i t l ed t o h i s req u es t ed en trap m en t i n s t ru ct i o n

.

2 . Decepti v e I nv es ti g a ti o n I ns tructi on

Ov er St ru b b erg ’ s o b

ject i o n

, t h e d i s t ri ct co urt i n cl u d ed a ju ry i ns t ru ct i o n

d es cri b i ng d ecep t iv e i n v es t i g at i v e t ech n i q u es em p l o y ed b y t h e go v ern m en t o ffi ci al s

an d d i rect i n g t h e ju ro rs n o t to al l o w th ei r o p i n io n of s u ch pract i ces t o i nfl u en ce t h ei r

d el i b erat i o n s . Th e i ns t ru ct i o n s t at ed :

Du ri n g t h i s t ri al y o u h eard th e tes t i m o n y f ro m u n d erco v er ag en t s wh o

were i n v o lv ed i n t h e g o v ern m en t ’ s i n v e s t i g at i o n i n th i s cas e.

Un d erco v er ag en t s m ay p ro p erl y m ak e us e o f fal s e n a m e s

, fal s e

ap p earan ces

, an d m ay pro p erl y as s u m e t h e ro l es o f m em bers i n cri m i nal

o rg an i zat i o n s. Th e g o v ern m en t m ay ut i l i ze a b ro ad ran g e o f s c h em es

an d p l o y s t o ferret o u t cri m i n al act i v i t y

. Law en fo rcem en t o ffi cers are

n o t p recl u d ed fro m en g ag i n g i n s t eal t h an d d ecep ti o n

, s u ch as t h e u s e o f

u n d erco v er ag en t s

, i n ord er t o ap p reh en d p er s o n s en g ag ed i n cri m i nal

act i v i t i es

.

-8

-W h et h er o r n o t y o u ap p ro v e o f t h e u s e o f s u ch i n v es t i g at iv e t ech ni q u es

t o det ect u n l awfu l act i vi ti es i s n o t t o en t er i n t o y o u r del i b erat i o n s i n an y

way

. If y o u are sat is fi ed b ey o n d a reas o nab l e do u b t t h at t h e d efen d an t

co m m i t t ed t h e o ffen s e a s ch arg ed i n t h e i n di ct m en t

, th e fact t h at th e

g o v ern m en t m ad e u s e o f i n v es t i g at i v e t ech n i q u es t h at decei ve is n o t

rel ev an t t o y o u r d et erm i n at i on

.

On ap p eal

, St ru b b erg arg u es t hi s i n s t r u ct i o n i n terfered wi t h t h e ju ry ’ s

co n si d erat io n of t h e ev id en ce. St ru b be r g c ont en d s t h e j u ry co u l d h av e i n t erp ret ed t h i s

i n s t ru ct i o n as fo rb id d i n g i t fro m co n si d eri ng fo r p u rp o s es o f cred i b i l it y t h e fact

Det ect i ve Ev an s decei v ed St ru b b erg i n o rd er t o o b t ai n h i s co n fes s io n

. St ru b b erg

co n ten d s t h i s s hi ft ed o r li m i t ed t h e g o v ern m en t ’ s b u rd en o f p ro of an d req u i res

r e v e r s a l h e re b ecau s e t h ere i s no way t o kn o w w het h er th e ju ro rs ig n o red co n cern s

o v er Ev an s ’ s cred ib i l i t y d u e t o t h e i n s t ru ct i on

.

Th i s co u rt “ rev i ew[s ] a d i s t ri ct co u rt ’ s fo rm u lat i on o f ju ry i n s t ru ct i o n s fo r an

ab u se o f d i s cret io n an d i t s i n terp ret at i o n o f l aw d e n o vo .” Un i t e d S t a t es v. Fa r a h

,

8 9 9 F

. 3 d 6 0 8

, 6 1 4 (8 t h Ci r. 20 1 8 ). An erro r i n t h e i n s t ru ct i on s “ d o es no t war r a n t

rev ers al o f a co n v i ct io n if i t i s h arm l es s

. ” Id

. W e m ay d i sreg ard s u ch an erro r wh ere

i t i s cl ear b ey o n d a reas o n ab le d o u b t th at a rat i o n al ju ry wo u ld h av e fo u n d t h e

d efen d an t g u i l t y

wi t h o u t t h e erro r. Id

.

St ru bb erg is co rrect t h at we h av e n ev er en d ors ed s u ch a ju ry i n s t ru ct i o n

. No r

h av e t h e p art i es ci t ed t o an y o t h er ci rcu i t co u rt p erm i t ti n g t h i s ex act in s t ru ct i o n

. W e

d o n o t e t h e Sev en t h Ci rcu i t h as an al y zed a s im il ar ju ry i n s t ru ct i o n b y a di s t ri ct co u rt

an d refu s e d t o fi n d i t s u s e an ab u se o f d i s cret i o n

. S ee U n i t ed S t a t es

. v. McKn i

g h t

,

6 6 5 F.3 d 7 8 6 , 7 89

– 9 0 (7 t h Ci r. 2 0 1 1). Th e i n s t ru ct i o n at i ss u e i n McKn ig h t s t at ed :

S o m et im es t he g o v ern m en t u s es u nd erco v er ag en t s an d u n d erco v e r

i n fo rm an t s wh o m ay

co n ceal t h ei r t ru e i d en t it i es i n o rd er to i n v es t i g at e

s u s p ect ed v i o l at io n s of l aw. In t h e effo rt t o d et ect v i o l at i o n s o f t h e l aw,

i t i s s o m et im es n eces s ary fo r t h e g o v ern m en t t o u s e ru s es

, s u b t erfu ges

-9

-an d em pl oy i n ves ti g at i v e t ech n i q u es th at d ecei v e. It i s n o t i m pro p er o r

i l leg al fo r t he g o vern m en t t o u s e t h es e t ech n i q u e s

, wh i ch are a

p erm i s s ib l e an d reco g n i zed m ean s o f cri m in al i n v es t i g at i on

. W h et h er o r

n o t yo u a p p r ov e o f s uch t ech n i q ues [] s h o u l d no t en t er i n to y ou r

d el i b erat i o n s i n an y

way

.

Id

. (al t erat i o n in t h e o ri g i n al ).

Th e Sev en t h Ci rcu i t refu s ed t o rev ers e t h e g u i l t y v erd i ct b as ed o n t h e

i n s t ru ct i o n

. Id

. at 7 9 5

. T h e co u rt ex p l ai ned t h e i ns t ru ct i o n co ul d b e a u s efu l t o o l to

rem i n d t h e ju ry o f it s t as k at h an d an d n o t t o s erv e as a “ ro v i n g co m m i s s io n t o ex p res s

d i s ap p ro v al o f l aw en fo rcem en t t ech n i q u es t h at ar e a c c e pta b le un d er es t ab l is h ed l eg al

p ri n ci p l es .” Id

. at 7 9 4

. An d t he co u rt d is co u n t ed th e co n cern t hat t h e ju ry wo u l d t ak e

t h i s i n st ru ct i o n t o m ean i t m u s t t ak e t he in fo rm an t ’ s t es t i m o n y at face v al u e i n l i g ht

o f o t h er i n s t ru ct io n s s u g g es t i n g t h ey co u l d qu es t io n t h e in fo rm an t ’ s cred i b i l i t y

. Id

.

at 7 9 4

– 9 5. Th e co u rt d i d, h o wev er, ex p res s s o m e c o n c e rn s ab o ut t h e u se o f t h e

i n s t ru ct i o n , reco gn i zi n g s uch an i n s t ru ct i o n m ay cl u t t er t h e i n s t ru ct i o n s as a wh o l e,

d efl ect th e ju ry ’ s at t en ti o n fro m i t s m o s t i m p o rt an t t as k

, an d gi v e a s ig n al o f i n d i rect

ap p ro v al b y t h e ju d g e of t h e g ov ern m en t ’s m an ag em en t o f t he i nv es t ig at io n

. Id

. at

7 9 4

.

W e s h are t h e Sev en t h Ci rcu i t’ s co ncern t h at t he i n st ru ct io n c o u l d s i g n al

i n d i rec t j u d i ci al ap p ro v al o f t h e g o v ern m en t ’ s m an ag em en t o f t he i n ves t i g at i o n.

Ho wev er, th e ev i d en c e su p po rt i n g St ru b b erg ’ s co n vi ct i o n i s s o o v erwh el m i n g t h at

an y p os s ib l e erro r wo u l d b e h arm l es s

. Al t h o u gh w e d o n ot en do rs e o r en co u rag e

g i v i n g t h i s in st ru ct i on

, we w i l l n o t v acat e St r u b b e r g ’ s co n v i ct i on b as ed o n i t s

i n cl u s i o n

.

-1 0

-C. Speci a l Co ndi ti o ns

Fi n al l y

, we co n si d er St ru b b er g ’s ch al l en ges t o sev en s p eci al co n di t i o n s o f

s u p erv i s ed rel eas e t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt im p o s ed o n h i m as p art o f h i s sen t en ce.

St ru b b erg ad m i t s h e d i d n o t o b ject t o an y o f th es e co nd i ti o ns at h i s s en t en ci n g

h eari n g an d th us p l ai n erro r rev i ew ap p l i es

. 3 S ee Un i ted S ta t es v. B o r d

ma n

, 8 9 5 F.3 d

1 0 4 8 , 1 0 5 4 (8 th Ci r. 2 0 1 8 ).

“ To p rev ai l u n d er p l ai n -erro r rev i ew, [St ru b b erg ] ‘ m us t s h o w (1 ) t h e d i s t ri ct

co u rt co m m it t ed an erro r, (2 ) t h e erro r i s cl ear o r o b v io u s

, an d (3 ) t h e erro r affect ed

h i s s u b s tan t i al ri gh t s .’ ” Id

. (q uo t i n g Un i t ed S t a t es v. W h i t e B u l l

, 6 4 6 F.3 d 1 08 2

, 1 0 9 1

(8 t h C i r

. 2 0 1 1 )). Ev en wh ere t h o s e el em en t s are s at is fi ed

, t h e co u rt “ wi l l ex erci s e

[i ts ] di s cret i o n t o rev ers e ‘ o nl y i f t h e erro r s eri o u sl y affect s t h e fai rn es s

, in t eg ri ty o r

p u b l i c rep u t at i on o f ju d i ci al p ro ceed i n g s

. ’ ” Id

. (q u o t i n g W

h i t e B u l l

, 6 4 6 F.3 d at 1 0 9 1

(cl ean ed u p )).

Part o f St ru b b erg ’ s arg u m en t o n ap p eal i s t h at t h e d is t ri ct co u rt i m p os ed t h es e

s p ec i a l c o nd i t i o n s wi t h o u t p ro v i d i n g an ad eq u at e ex p l an at i o n as t o h o w t h e

c o n d i t i o n s s at i s fi ed t h e req u i rem en t s o f 1 8 U.S.C. § 3 5 8 3 (d ). It i s t ru e th a t w h e n

craft i n g a s p eci al co n di t i o n

, t h e d i s t ri ct co u rt is g e n eral ly req u i red t o “ m ak e an

i n d i v i d u al i zed i n q u i ry

i n t o t h e fact s an d ci rcu m s t an ces u n d erl y i n g a cas e an d m ak e

s u ffi ci en t fi n d i n g s o n t he reco rd s o as to en s u re th at th e sp eci al co n d it i on s at i s fi es t h e

s t at u to ry req u i rem en t s .” Un i t ed S t a tes v. Gl over

, 8 9 3 F.3 d 5 36

, 5 3 9 (8 th Ci r. 2 0 1 8 )

3 Th e Pres en ten ce In v es t i g at i on Rep o rt i ncl u d ed t h e ch al l en ged s p eci al

co n di t i o n s an d n o t ed t he s t at u t e req ui red a t erm o f s u p erv i s ed rel eas e o f at l eas t fi v e

y ears an d Un i ted S t a t e s S en t en ci n g Gu i d el i n es § 5 D1 .2 (b )(2 ) req u i red a t erm o f

s u p erv i s ed rel eas e o f b e t ween fi v e y ears an d l i fe. In h i s b ri efi n g an d d u ri n g t h e

s en t en ci n g h eari n g

, St ru b b erg o n l y ch al l en ged t h e l en g t h of h is s u p erv i s ed rel eas e,

arg u i n g i t s h o u l d b e fo r n o m o re t h an f i ve y ears

. Th e d i s t ri ct co u rt ag reed

,

co n cl u d in g an y

l o n ger s up erv i s i o n was u n n eces s ary

.

-1 1

-(q u o ti n g Un it ed S t a t es v. W i ed o wer , 6 3 4 F.3 d 4 9 0

, 4 9 3 (8 th Ci r. 20 1 1 )). H o wev er,

ev en i f t h e d i st ri ct co u rt d o es n o t m ak e i n d i v i d u al i zed fi n d i n g s

, “ rev ers al i s n ot

req u i red

. . . i f t h e b as i s fo r t h e i m p o s ed co n d i ti o n can b e d is cern ed fro m t h e reco rd .”

Un i ted S t a t es v. Th o m

p s o n

, 6 5 3 F.3 d 6 8 8

, 6 94 (8 t h Ci r. 20 1 1 ). O n t h e reco rd b efo re

u s

, an d as wi l l b e ev i d en t fro m o u r d i s cu s s i o n o f St ru bb erg ’ s s u b s t an t i v e co m p l ai nt s

,

we can n o t s ay th e di s t ri ct co u rt ’ s fai l u re-t o -ex p lai n was “ an o b v i ou s erro r t h at cau s ed

p reju d i ce an d a m i s carri ag e o f ju s t i ce.” U n i t e d S ta t es v. Th o mp s o n

, 8 88 F.3 d 3 4 7,

3 5 1 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 18 ). Fo r t h i s reas o n

, we d ecl i ne t o vacat e th e s p eci al co n d i t i o n s fo r

a l ack o f ad eq u at e ex p l an at i o n

.

As fo r St ru b berg ’ s co m

p l ai n t s ab o u t t h e s u bs t an ce o f t h e s p e c ial co n d i t i o n s

,

w e b e g i n b y n o ti n g t h at d is t ri ct co u rt s h av e wi d e d i s cret i on w h en fas h i o n i n g

co n di t i o n s o f s u p erv i s ed rel eas e. S ee i d

. at 3 51 . Th e co n d i t i o n s m u s t , h o wev er, b e

“ reas o nab l y rel at ed t o th e s en t en ci n g fact ors s et fo rt h i n 1 8 U.S.C. § 3 5 5 3 (a),

i n v o l v e[] n o g reat er d ep ri v at i o n o f l i b ert y t h an i s reas o n ab l y n eces s ary

, an d [b e]

co n si s t en t wi t h an y p ert i n en t p ol i cy s t at em en ts is s u ed b y t h e Sen t en ci n g

Co m m i s s i o n .” Id

. (ci t i ng 1 8 U.S.C. § 3 5 83 (d )). Becau s e St ru bb erg d i d n o t o b ject to

an y o f t h e s p eci al co nd i t i o n s

, i n o rd er t o p rev ai l o n p lai n erro r rev i ew h e m u s t

“ es tab li s h t h at th e co n d i t i o n i s o b v i ou s ly im perm is s i b l e” t o rev ers e

— i t i s n ot

en o ug h t h at t h e p erm i s si b il i t y of t h e co n d it i on i s “ reas o n ab l y d eb at ab l e.” Id

. at 3 5 5.

Fo r t h e reas o n s d i s cu s s ed b el o w, St ru b b erg can n o t m eet h i s h i g h b u rd en

.

1. Co m puter-Rel a ted Co ndi ti o ns

W e fi rs t co ns i der St ru b b erg ’ s ch al l en g es t o t h ree co n d it i on s rel at ed t o h i s u s e

o f c o m p u t ers

. Co n d i t i o n s “ c” an d “ k ,” wh i ch are i d en t i cal

, st at e: “ Th e d efen d a n t

s h al l no t p o s s es s o r u se an y co m p u t er or el ect ro ni c d ev i ce wi th acces s t o an y ‘ o n -l i n e

co m p u t er s erv i ce,’ wi t h o u t th e p ri o r ap pro v al o f t h e Pro bat i o n Offi ce. Th is i n cl u d es

an y p u bl i c o r p ri v at e co m p u ter n et wo rk .” Co nd i ti o n “ m ” req u i res St ru b b erg to

co n sen t t o t h e Pro b at i o n Offi ce co n d uct i n g pe r iodic, un an n o u n ced ex am in at io n o f h i s

-1 2

-cel l p h o ne co n t en t s an d h ard ware. Co n d i t i on “ n ” req u i res th at St ru bb erg co n s en t to

h av in g h ard ware or s o ft ware in s t al l ed o n h i s co m p u t er (at St ru b b erg ’ s co s t ) s o as to

m o ni t o r i t s u s e.

W e h av e u p h el d co n d i ti on s t h at l i m i t o r res t ri ct t h e u s e o f co m p u t ers an d t h e

i n t ern et wh ere t h ey are rel at ed t o t h e ci rcu m s t an ces o f t h e defen d an t ’ s offen s e. See

Un i ted S ta t es v. Per ri n

, No

. 1 8 -1 5 0 3

, 2 0 1 9 W L 2 5 1 7 7 8 7

, at * 5 (8 t h Ci r. J u n e 1 9,

2 0 1 9 ) (co n cl u d i ng a co m

p u t er-rel at ed co n d i t i o n d i d n ot i n v o l v e a g reat er dep ri v at i o n

o f l i bert y t h an is reas on ab l y n eces s ary b ecau s e i t was n o t a co m p l et e b an o n i n t ern et

acces s an d t h ere was am p le ev i d en ce t h e d e f

e n d a n t u s ed h i s d ev ices fo r i l l eg al

act i vi t i es ); Un i t ed S t a tes v. Ben d er

, 5 6 6 F.3 d 7 4 8 , 7 5 1 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 0 9 ) (ci t i n g cas es

wh ere we h av e “ affi rm ed co m p u t er an d i nt ern et res t ri ct io n s wh ere t h e d efen d an t s o l d,

t r a n s ferred

, p ro d u ced

, o r at t em p t ed t o arran ge s ex u al rel at i o n s wi t h m in o rs ”). W e

h av e reas o n ed t hat wh en s u ch a co n n ect i o n b et w een t h e cri m e an d t h e c o n d i t i o n

ex i s t s, t h e co n di ti o n “ i s reas o n ab l y cal cu l at ed t o d et er [t h e d efen dan t ] fro m rep eat i n g

h i s i l l eg al act i v i t y

, p ro t ect t he p u b l i c fro m si m i lar co n d u ct

, an d s erv e hi s co rrect i o n al

n eed s.” Id

.

Th e d i st ri ct co u rt d i d n o t e r r i n i m p o si ng t h es e co n d i t io n s

. Th e t ri al reco rd

s h o ws St ru b b erg p eru sed web si t es i n an effo rt t o arran g e cas ual sex u al en co u n t ers

,

wh i ch was t h e g en es is o f h i s at t em p t t o h av e s ex wi t h a m i no r h ere. H e ex ch an g ed

em ai l s an d p ho t o g rap h s wi t h Kat h y

, in cl u d i n g p u rp o rt ed ph o to g rap h s o f Ab b y

. An d

h e u s ed s earch t erm s i n d i cat i n g h e was l o o k i n g u p in fo rm at io n ab o u t h av i n g s ex wi th

a m i n o r i m

m ed i at el y b efo re l eav i n g t o m eet wi t h Ab by

. Al s o

, th e co n d it i o n s d o n ot

am ou n t to a t o t al b an o n co m p u t ers o r i n t ern et u s e as t h ey al l ow St ru bb erg t o p o s s es s

an d u s e co m

p u t ers au t h o ri zed b y th e Pro bat i o n O ffi ce an d s u b ject t o reas o n ab l e

co n di t i o n s

.

-1 3

-2. Co ndi ti o ns Rel a ted to Co nta ct a nd Res i dence

W e n ex t co n si d er St ru b b erg ’ s ch al l en g es t o t h ree s p eci al co n di t i o n s rel at ed to

h i s co n t act wi t h m i n o rs an d hi s res i d en ce. Co n d i t i o n “ e” p ro v id es t h at St ru b b erg n ot

“ as so ci at e o r h av e an y co n t act wi th p ers o n s u n d e r t he ag e o f 1 8, ex cep t i n t h e

p res en ce o f a res p o ns i bl e ad ul t wh o i s aware o f t h e n at ure of th e d efen d an t ’ s

b ack gro un d an d cu rren t o ffen se an d wh o has b een ap p ro v ed b y t he Pro b at i o n Offi ce.”

Co n d i t i o n “ h ” p ro v i d es t h at St ru b b erg ’ s “ p l ace o f res id en ce m ay n ot b e wi t h i n 1 ,0 0 0

feet o f s ch o o l s

, p ark s

, p l a yg r o u n d s

, p u b l i c p o o l s

, o r o t her l o cat io n s freq u en t ed by

ch i l d ren .” Co n d i t io n “ i ” s t at es St ru b b erg i s “ b arred fro m pl aces wh ere m i n o rs (u n d er

t h e ag e o f 1 8 ) co n g reg at e; s u ch as res i den ces

, p ark s

, p o o l s

, d ay care cen t ers

,

p l ay g ro u n d s an d s ch o o l [s ]

, u n l es s p ri or wri t t en co n s en t i s g ran t ed b y t he Pro b at i o n

Offi ce.”

St ru bb erg cl ai m s t h es e co n d i t i o n s are “ wi l d l y o v erb ro ad fo r a d efen d an t wh o

was th e v i ct im of a s t i n g

, an d h as n e v e r b een s h own t o hav e h ad co n t act w i t h an y

ch i l d fo r s ex u al p u rp o ses .” He al s o co m p l ai n s t hey lack cl ari t y t o t h e p o i n t h e wi l l

h av e d i ffi cu l t y co m

pl y i n g wi t h t h em

. Al t h o ug h we are t ro u b l ed b y t h e b read t h o f t h e

co n di t i o n s , we co ncl u d e i t was n o t p l ai n erro r fo r t h e d i s tri ct co u rt t o i m p o s e t h em

.

Fi rs t

, o ur p reced en t s u p p o rt s t h e i m p o s i t i o n o f co n d i t io n “ i ,” wh i ch fo rb i d s

St ru b b erg fro m g o i n g p l aces wh ere m i n o rs co n g reg at e wi t h o ut pri o r wri tt en co n s en t

fro m t h e Pro b at i o n Offi ce. S

ee Un i t ed S ta t es v. Cr ume , 4 2 2 F.3 d 7 2 8 , 7 3 3

– 3 4 (8 th

Ci r. 2 0 0 5 ) (co ncl u d i ng a si m i lar res t r ict i o n w as s en s i b l e an d n o t o v erl y b ro ad aft er

ap p ly i n g a reas o n ab l en es s req ui rem en t th at i t wo u l d ap p l y o nl y at s u ch p l aces wh ere

ch i l d ren u n d er t he ag e of 18 act u al l y co n g reg at e); Un i t ed S t at es v. Ri s t i n e

, 3 3 5 F.3 d

6 9 2

, 6 9 6

– 9 7 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 0 3 ) (u ph o l d i n g a si m i l ar co n di t i o n u n der p l ai n erro r rev i ew).

Th erefo re, we co n cl u d e it was n o t p l ai n erro r t o i m p o s e t h e co n d i t i o n o n St ru b b erg

.

-1 4

-As fo r co n d it i o n “ h ,” wh i ch fo rb i ds hi s res i d en ce fro m b ei n g w i th i n 1 ,0 0 0 feet

o f “ s ch o o l s

, p ark s

, p lay g ro u n d s

, p u b li c p o o l s

, o r o t her lo cat i o n s freq u en t ed by

ch i l d ren ,” we h av e affi rm ed si m i l ar co n d i t i o ns i n t h e pas t

. S ee Th o mp s o n

, 8 8 8 F.3 d

at 3 5 3

– 5 4 (h o l d i n g t h e d i st ri ct co u rt d i d n o t co m m i t p l ai n erro r b y i n cl u d i n g a

co n d i t io n t h at di d n o t p erm i t h i m to res id e wi t h in 5 0 0 feet o f p l aces freq uen t ed by

ch i l d ren u n d er t h e ag e o f 1 8

, wi t h o u t p r i o r wri tt en ap p ro v al fro m t h e p ro b at i o n

o ffi ce). W e reco g n i ze St ru b berg ’ s co n d i t i o n d i ffers fro m Th o mp s o n i n t h at i t d o es

n o t p erm i t St ru b berg t o as k t h e Pro b at i o n Offi ce t o ap p ro ve an ex cep ti o n

. An d t h i s

i n ab i l i t y t o s eek ap pro val i s t ro u b l es om e co n si deri n g t h e v ag u en es s o f t he i n cl u s i o n

o f “ o t h er l o cat i o n s freq u en t ed b y ch i l d ren

. ”

W e are al so co n cern ed wi t h co n di t i o n “ e,” wh i ch p ro v i d es t h at St ru b berg “ wi l l

n o t as s oci at e o r h av e an y co n tact wi t h p e r s o n s u n d er t h e ag e of 1 8

, ex cep t i n t h e

p res en ce o f a res p o n s i b l e ad u l t wh o i s aware o f t h e n at u re of th e d e f e n d an t ’ s

b ack gro un d an d cu rren t o ffen se an d wh o h as b een ap p ro v ed b y t he Pro b at i o n Offi ce.”

It i s t r u e w e h av e affi rm ed s o m ewh at s i m i l ar co n d i t i o n s b efo re. S ee i d

. at 3 5 3

(affi rm i n g a co n d it i o n o n pl ai n erro r rev iew fo rb i d d i ng co n t act w i t h m in o rs wi t h o ut

p ri o r wri t t en p erm i ss io n o f t h e p ro b at i on o ffi ce); Ben d er

, 5 6 6 F.3 d at 7 5 3

– 5 4

(ex p l ai n i n g t h i s co u rt h as affi rm ed s i m i l ar s p eci al co nd i t i o ns w h ere t he d efen d an t can

s eek p erm i s s i o n fro m t h e p ro b at i o n o ffi ce t o co n t act m i n o rs i n s p eci fi c s i t u at i o n s ).

Bu t t h e co n d i t io n h ere g i v es u s p au s e b ecau s e it d o es n o t p e r m i t St ru b b erg t o s eek

ap p ro v al fo r ap pro p ri at e u n -ch ap ero n ed co n t act wi t h a m i n o r. An d t h e g o v ern m en t

h as fai l ed t o p o i n t t o an y cas e wh ere we h av e affi rm ed s u ch a co nd i ti o n wi t h o u t t h e

ab i l i t y t o as k fo r p erm i s s i o n

.

Des p i t e o u r co n cern s

, we d ecl i n e t o v acat e t hes e co nd i t i o n s o n p l ai n erro r

rev i ew b ecau s e we can n o t s ay t h ey were o b v i ou s ly i m p erm i s s i b l e. W e t ru s t t h e

p ro b at i o n o ffi ce an d

, i f n eces s ary

, t h e d i s t ri ct co urt wi l l i n t erp ret t h es e co n d i t i o n s in

a m an n er wh ere t h ey

wi l l n o t un reas o nab ly i n t erfere wi th St ru b b erg ’ s l i b ert y

. An d

s h o u ld t he sp eci al co n d i t io ns p ro v e u n wo rk ab l e b ecau s e o f t hei r v ag u en es s o r

-1 5

-b read t h

, St ru bb erg “ m ay ap p ly t o t he d i s t ri ct co urt fo r an ap p ro p ri at e m o di fi cat i o n,”

p u rs u an t t o 1 8 U.S.C. § 3 5 83 (e). Un it ed S t a t es v. Fo r d

e

, 6 6 4 F.3 d 1 2 1 9 , 1 2 2 5 (8 th

Ci r. 2 0 1 2 ) ( q u o t i n g U

n i t ed S t a t es v. Hen kel

, 3 58 F.3 d 1 0 1 3

, 1 0 1 5 (8 t h Ci r. 2 0 0 4 )).

I I I . Co ncl us i o n

Fo r t h e ab o v e reas o n s , we affi rm t he d i s t ri ct co u rt ’ s ju d g m en t

.

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