US v. Welshans — criminal — partial reversal — Restrepo

The Third Circuit today affirmed a defendant’s child-pornography conviction but reversed his sentence.

As to the conviction, the court rejected the defendant’s argument that it violated due process to allow in evidence and argument that the computer files included “deeply abhorrent” videos and images involving very young children. Although the court agreed that the prosecution committed misconduct that was plain, and agreed that the evidence should have been excluded under Rule 403, it denied relief given the prosecution’s overwhelming evidence.

As to the sentence, the panel majority held that the sentencing court erred in applying the Sentencing Guidelines enhancement for obstruction of justice because his acts (moving computer files into the recycling bin when he was told police were on their way) were contemporaneous to his arrest and did not materially hinder the investigation. The majority also held that the government waived the material-hinderance point by first raising it at oral argument.

Joining Restrepo were Ambro in full and Fuentes as to the conviction; Fuentes dissented on the sentencing reversal. Arguing counsel were Renee Pietropaolo for the defendant and Laura Schleich Irwin for the government.