Opinion ID: 4554571
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Possession of Media Storage Devices

Text: The first challenged condition states that Trimble “must not access the internet or possess and/or use computers (as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 1030(e)(1)), internet capable devices, cellular telephones, and other electronic communications or data storage devices or media without the prior approval of the U.S. Probation Officer.” This condition gives the probation officer discretion to allow Trimble to use a computer or the internet for purposes of employment, but Trimble must obtain the probation officer’s prior approval and notify the employer or potential employer of any restrictions imposed on his computer or internet use. Trimble agreed to this condition after the incident where a family member mailed him a flash drive. Trimble now contends that this condition imposes a greater deprivation of liberty than is reasonably necessary because media storage devices are necessary to store resumes and job applications. Considering Trimble’s past use of electronic devices during both his offense conduct and while on supervised release, restricting his access to the internet, computers, and media storage devices is reasonably related to the sentencing factors and the Sentencing Commission’s pertinent policy statements. See United States v. Demers, 634 F.3d 982, 984 (8th Cir. 2011) (noting that we have “repeatedly rejected” arguments to the contrary); United States Sentencing Guidelines § 5D1.3(d)(7)(B) (2012). The condition is not an absolute prohibition, and it specifically contemplates that Trimble’s probation officer may allow access to these devices for employment purposes. See United States v. Notman, 831 F.3d 1084, 1089 (8th Cir. 2016) (stating that “whether the restriction is a total ban” is a relevant factor in assessing restrictions like this one). In light of Trimble’s conduct, and because he may seek approval when needed for employment purposes, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion by declining to modify or eliminate this condition. -6-