Court Opinion

ID: 4385183
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-04-08 20:00:21.270547+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:29:43.094889
License: Public Domain

NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                       UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                            FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT
                                 ____________

                                       No. 18-2255
                                      ____________

                           UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                             v.

                               ROBERT E. MILLER, III,
                                              Appellant
                                   ____________

                    On Appeal from the United States District Court
                        for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
                             (D.C. No. 1:17-cr-00052-001)
                     District Judge: Honorable John E. Jones, III
                                    ____________

                            Argued February 12, 2019
               Before: HARDIMAN, SCIRICA, COWEN, Circuit Judges.

                                  (Filed: April 8, 2019)

Quin M. Sorenson [Argued]
Office of Federal Public Defender
100 Chestnut Street
Suite 306
Harrisburg, PA 17101
                    Attorney for Appellant

Daryl F. Bloom
Stephen R. Cerutti, II [Argued]
Office of United States Attorney
228 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 11754
220 Federal Building and Courthouse
Harrisburg, PA 17108
                   Attorneys for Appellee
                                      ____________

                                        OPINION*
                                      ____________

HARDIMAN, Circuit Judge.

       Robert Miller appeals his judgment of conviction for receipt and possession of

child pornography following a jury trial. Miller claims the evidence was insufficient to

prove he possessed the mens rea for each crime. Although the Government lacked direct

evidence that Miller knowingly received and possessed child pornography, there was

ample circumstantial evidence to sustain the convictions. We will therefore affirm.

                                             I1

       Direct evidence is not required to prove mens rea beyond a reasonable doubt

because “[k]nowledge is often proven by circumstances.” United States v. Caraballo-

Rodriguez, 726 F.3d 418, 431 (3d Cir. 2013) (en banc). And the jury is “entitled to draw

reasonable inferences” from circumstantial evidence. United States v. Vosburgh, 602 F.3d
512, 537 (3d Cir. 2010). Viewing all of the evidence in Miller’s case in the light most

favorable to the Government as the verdict winner, we conclude that the jury received

       *
        This disposition is not an opinion of the full Court and pursuant to I.O.P. 5.7 does
not constitute binding precedent.
       1
        The District Court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction
under 28 U.S.C. § 1291.
                                             2
sufficient evidence to convict Miller of knowing receipt and possession of child

pornography.

                                              A

       In United States v. Miller, 527 F.3d 54 (3d Cir. 2008), we identified five factors

relevant to proving knowing receipt of digital child pornography. Id. at 67–69. In this

appeal, a review of those five factors and the evidence as a whole strongly favors the

Government’s position.

       First, the images were found on Miller’s laptop, which itself was found in his

bedroom closet. The laptop’s login username and password were “uber1337,” a password

Miller used in other circumstances. Browser history information on the laptop showed

Miller used it. He also used the apartment’s internet service, which was used to download

child pornography and triggered this investigation. And his roommates never saw the

laptop out of Miller’s presence, nor anyone in Miller’s bedroom without him there.

       Second, the number of images supports Miller’s knowledge because over a

hundred files identified as child pornography were found on his laptop. Although

computer forensics could not establish their former location(s) on the laptop,2 the number

of images weighs in the prosecution’s favor as well. See United States v. Franz, 772 F.3d
134, 156 (3d Cir. 2010).

       2
           The files were found in unallocated space because they had been deleted.
                                               3
       The third factor—whether the images’ content was evident from their file

names—supports Miller because most of the files recovered from his laptop had file

names that did not clearly indicate their contents, or had file names that could not be

determined by computer forensics after having been deleted. At the same time, BitTorrent

file fragments recovered from the laptop did have file names indicating they contained

child pornography. Although these names could refer merely to the torrent itself (a digital

package for delivering any number of files through peer-to-peer sharing), the names

could also refer to the file(s) (now lost) that were contained therein. And many of these

file fragment names referenced child pornography by including words like “preteen,”

“pthc” (preteen hardcore), “pedo,” and “childlover,” as well as young ages like “9yo” and

“12–13 yo.” So although the third factor favors Miller regarding the illicit files for which

he was convicted, other file fragments’ names recovered from the laptop suggest its user

would have known of their likely illicit content, which favors the prosecution.

       Fourth, two facts evidenced Miller’s likely knowledge of and ability to access the

illicit images: (1) the laptop’s discovery in Miller’s closet; and (2) the laptop’s sole

username and password, which Miller had used in other contexts. But because forensics

could not determine exactly where the files were located on the hard drive, this factor

weighs only slightly in the Government’s favor.

       Finally, the illicit images recovered from the laptop were downloaded on several

dates from 2010 to 2013. This suggests the user knew he was accessing child

pornography (i.e., he did not inadvertently access it just once). Although many images
                                              4
were downloaded on one date, and although many images and videos’ dates could not be

recovered because they had been deleted, this factor also weighs in the Government’s

favor. Cf. Miller, 527 F.3d at 69 (discussing downloads on four dates).

       Beyond the factors just mentioned, additional evidence suggested that Miller

knowingly received the illicit files. He admitted to using Tor, a program that facilitates

anonymous communication and downloads online, including torrents like those already

discussed. He also admitted to viewing animated pornographic games that other users had

flagged as potential child pornography. And he failed to inform the searching agents of

the laptop when asked about his computers; he identified only a desktop computer and

tablet also found in his apartment. Viewed in the light most favorable to the Government,

Miller’s failure to disclose the laptop suggests consciousness of guilt. Forensics also

discovered keyword searches had been typed on the laptop that involved terms and

companies related to child pornography, suggesting its user sought out files using names

suggestive of their content—as opposed to inadvertently receiving them. And agents

found no other evidence of child pornography in the apartment despite seizing all

electronics.

       It is true that some evidence presented at trial supported Miller, and could have

raised reasonable doubts about his knowledge of the illicit images. For example, Miller’s

roommates testified that a former roommate once accessed one of their computers and

                                             5
downloaded adult pornographic images without permission as a joke.3 But our task is not

to reweigh the evidence, lest we usurp the jury’s role. United States v. Walker, 657 F.3d
160, 171 (3d Cir. 2011). Instead, we must affirm if the evidence, taken as a whole,

surpasses “the threshold of bare rationality.” Caraballo-Rodriguez, 726 F.3d at 431

(quoting Coleman v. Johnson, 566 U.S. 650, 656 (2012)). That mark is surpassed here,

especially in light of prior cases in which we upheld convictions when fewer factors

supported the verdict, and even when multiple factors weighed in the defendant’s favor.

E.g., Franz, 772 F.3d at 155–56; Miller, 527 F.3d at 67.

       Miller cites two cases he claims entitle him to acquittal (or a new trial) essentially

because they seemed to require direct evidence when purely circumstantial evidence

proved insufficient. Neither is availing.

       3
          Miller’s opening brief claimed these “roommates testified, further, that they had
previously seen [the former roommate] in possession of and viewing child pornography
on his own computer.” Opening Br. 5. Neither roommates’ testimony supports this
accusation. Although one roommate testified that he saw the former roommate “looking
at pornographic videos,” App. 88, nothing in that testimony or the questioning eliciting it
suggests children were involved. The Government’s brief pointed this out.
        Once challenged, Miller’s reply brief attempted to salvage this accusation by
citing defense counsel’s closing statement at trial (also claiming that one roommate
testified to seeing the former roommate watching child pornography) and his Rule 33
motion (simply labeling the former roommate “a known child pornographer” without
citation). Reply Br. 5 n.4 (citing App. 113, 127). Those citations merely beg the question.
        At oral argument, Miller’s counsel suggested this footnote somehow clarified the
original brief’s misstatement. See Oral Argument at 8:32–48, available at
https://www2.ca3.uscourts.gov/oralargument/audio/18-2255USAv.Miller.mp3. But the
footnote defends the accusation that the former roommate “was known to have
downloaded and viewed child pornography in the past.” Reply Br. 5 n.4 (quoting Gov’t
Br. 22). In sum, on this record, neither Miller’s trial counsel nor his appellate counsel had
any basis to claim that one of Miller’s roommates was seen watching child pornography.
                                              6
       First, Miller cites United States v. Iafelice, 978 F.2d 92, 96 (3d Cir. 1992), for the

proposition that ownership of a thing is not alone sufficient to establish knowledge of its

contents. Iafelice upheld a conviction for knowing possession of drugs in the trunk of a

car the defendant owned. 978 F.2d at 93–94. Although we noted “[o]wnership and

operation [] do not exist in a vacuum” and “must be considered in the context of

surrounding circumstances,” we also stated the defendant’s ownership and operation of

the vehicle was “[t]he truly distinguishing fact” and “highly relevant.” Id. at 97. And we

noted the owner and operator “usually knows what is in that vehicle.” Id. Circumstantial

evidence further supported finding sufficient evidence, but the defendant’s ownership and

operation of the car provided “[t]he crucial additional fact” permitting the jury to convict.

Id. Similarly, Miller’s jury also heard circumstantial evidence beyond his mere ownership

and operation of the laptop from which they could infer his knowing receipt. That

evidence accords with our holding in Iafelice.

       Next, Miller cites United States v. Moreland, 665 F.3d 137 (5th Cir. 2011), for the

proposition that the Government had to “directly” link Miller to the downloads,

demonstrate he knew of the files, or establish his exclusive control of the computer.

Rather than require direct evidence, though, Moreland merely found the circumstantial

evidence insufficient because the Government relied solely on three individuals’ joint

ownership and use of two computers containing illicit images. See 665 F.3d at 150.

Without more, the joint ownership evidence was insufficient, but either circumstantial or

direct evidence could have filled that void. See id. Miller’s computer was not jointly
                                              7
owned or used outside his presence according to the testimony at trial, and its single user

profile connected only to Miller distinguishes this case from Moreland further still.

       In sum, four out of the five factors relevant for identifying sufficient evidence of

knowing receipt of digital child pornography support the jury’s verdict. The fifth is

indecisive. And other relevant evidence also favors affirmance. There was sufficient

evidence to convict Miller on this count.

                                              B

       Miller also argues for reversal of his possession conviction because the

Government presented insufficient evidence that he knowingly possessed the files

discovered on his laptop. Once again, circumstantial evidence and our precedents show

Miller cannot meet his “extremely high” burden to overturn his possession conviction

based on insufficient evidence. United States v. Pavulak, 700 F.3d 651, 669 (3d Cir.

2012) (quoting United States v. Starnes, 583 F.3d 196, 206 (3d Cir. 2009)).

       “Simply put, [Miller] was the laptop’s likeliest user.” Id. Like in Pavulak, Miller’s

laptop had just one, password-protected user account. Miller was connected to that

password and username in other contexts. And Miller used that sole password-protected

account. Also like in Pavulak, police recovered the laptop from where Miller was living:

his room in the apartment, which his roommates testified they never saw anyone else

enter outside Miller’s presence. Although computer forensics could not determine many

details about the illicit files’ location(s) or organization on the hard drive because they

                                              8
had been deleted, he was still “also the likeliest person to have accessed the child-

pornography images on the laptop” based on the substantial evidence discussed above. Id.

       Additionally, we note that knowing receipt “must be supported by a greater

quantum of evidence than that minimally required to prove guilt of possessing child

pornography.” Miller, 527 F.3d at 62. So our analysis of Miller’s receipt conviction also

supports our conclusion that Miller cannot show “no reasonable juror could accept the

evidence as sufficient” for knowing possession. Id. at 69 (quoting United States v. Lacy,

446 F.3d 448, 451 (3d Cir. 2006)).4

                                      *       *      *

       For the reasons stated, we will affirm Miller’s judgment of conviction and

sentence.

       4
         Miller also contends the District Court erred by denying his Rule 33 motion for a
new trial because the evidence was insufficient. Because Miller cannot prevail on de
novo review of his acquittal motion for the reasons discussed above, we find no abuse of
discretion in the Court denying his new trial motion on the same grounds. Cf. Franz, 772
F.3d at 154, 158 (affirming a receipt conviction appealed for insufficient evidence on
both judgment of acquittal and new trial motions when our de novo review of the Rule 29
motion merited affirmance).
                                             9