Opinion ID: 76088
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Restriction on Internet Usage

Text: 43 Appellant asserts the restriction on Internet usage is improper under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(d) because it is not reasonably related to legitimate sentencing considerations and overly burdens his First Amendment rights. Specifically, he argues the district court could have satisfied the statutory sentencing goals in relation to his offense without entirely foreclosing all Internet use. We review the special condition restricting Internet use for abuse of discretion. See Bull, 214 F.3d at 1278. 44 Whether a district court may prohibit a convicted child pornography offender from using the Internet while on supervised release is an issue of first impression in this circuit. The Fifth Circuit has upheld a complete ban on a convicted sex-offender's Internet use while on supervised release. See United States v. Paul, 274 F.3d 155, 169-70 (5th Cir.2001). Additionally, the Tenth Circuit has held a general prohibition against Internet use on supervised release is not error where the offender is allowed to use the Internet with his probation officer's prior permission. See United States v. Walser, 275 F.3d 981, 988 (10th Cir.2001). 10 These courts have noted the strong link between child pornography and the Internet, and the need to protect the public, particularly children, from sex offenders. See, e.g., Paul, 274 F.3d at 169 (The record reveals that Paul has in the past used the Internet to encourage exploitation of children by seeking out fellow `boy lovers' and providing them with advice on how to find and obtain access to `young friends.' Restricting his access to this communication medium clearly serves the dual statutory goals of protecting the public and preventing future criminal activity.). 45 We consider the reasoning in these cases persuasive and conclude there was no abuse of discretion in the district court's limited restriction on Appellant's Internet usage. We realize the Internet has become an important resource for information, communication, commerce, and other legitimate uses, all of which may be potentially limited to Appellant as a result of our decision. Nevertheless, the particular facts of this case highlight the concomitant dangers of the Internet and the need to protect both the public and sex offenders themselves from its potential abuses. 11 We are also satisfied that the restriction in this case is not overly broad in that Appellant may still use the Internet for valid purposes by obtaining his probation officer's prior permission. As the Tenth Circuit observed in Walser, this relatively narrowly-tailored condition readily accomplishes the goal of restricting use of the Internet and more delicately balances the protection of the public with the goals of sentencing. Walser, 275 F.3d at 988. 46 We acknowledge that two other circuits have embraced a holding opposite from the one we adopt today. See United States v. Freeman, 316 F.3d 386 (3d Cir.2003); United States v. Sofsky, 287 F.3d 122 (2d Cir.2002). In Sofsky, the Second Circuit held a restriction on computer and Internet use was invalid even where there was an exception if the offender received his probation officer's approval. Sofsky, 287 F.3d at 126. 12 In Freeman, the Third Circuit relied on Sofsky in reaching the same conclusion. Freeman, 316 F.3d 386. 13 Although we appreciate these courts' concerns that restrictions on Internet usage may effect some deprivation of liberty, we agree with those courts holding that a limited restriction on a sex offender's Internet use is a necessary and reasonable condition of supervised release.