United States v. Fast

820 F. Supp. 2d 1008 (2011)

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff,
v.
Robert M. FAST, Defendant.

No. 4:11CR3018.

United States District Court, D. Nebraska.

October 20, 2011.

Steven A. Russell, U.S. Attorney's Office, Lincoln, NE, for Plaintiff.

Michael J. Hansen, Federal Public Defender's Office, Lincoln, NE, for Defendant.

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

RICHARD G. KOPF, District Judge.

Using the LimeWire program and the Gnutella network, Robert M. Fast (Fast) downloaded child pornography starting as early as June 25, 2010 and law enforcement agents were able to access some of that pornography over the Internet. (Filing no. 31 at CM/ECF pp. 16-19.) Some of the pornography on Fast's computer included the "Vicky series." "Vicky," the person victimized in that pornography, now seeks restitution in the sum $952,759.81.

After careful consideration of the evidence and the briefs, I decide that "Vicky" is entitled to $19,863.84.^[1] My explanation for this ruling will be short. The evidence reveals that there are those who have a sick fascination with "Vicky's" victimization and brevity is therefore the prudent course.

First, I must award restitution—it is mandatory. 18 U.S.C. § 2259.

Second, for those items of loss described in 18 U.S.C. § 2259(b)(3)(A)-(E) there is no "proximate cause" requirement because those portions of the statute do not contain one.

Third, for "other" losses described in 18 U.S.C. § 2259(b)(3)(F) there is a proximate cause requirement because the statute says so.

Regarding points two and three above, I agree with Chief Judge Jones' statement that:

The structure and language of § 2259(b)(3) impose a proximate causation requirement only on miscellaneous "other losses" for which a victim seeks restitution. As a general proposition, it makes sense that Congress would impose an additional restriction on the catchall category of "other losses" that does not apply to the defined categories. By construction, Congress knew the kinds of expenses necessary for restitution under subsections A through E; equally definitionally, it could not anticipate what victims would propose under the open-ended subsection F.

Comparing the language of § 2259 with other restitution statutes affirms the conclusion that proximate causation applies only to the catchall category of harms. Under the VWPA, a victim is "a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the commission of an offense...." 18 U.S.C. § 3663A(a)(2) (emphasis added). In contrast, § 2259, enacted 14 years later as part of the MVRA, defines a victim as "the individual harmed as a result of a commission of a crime...." 18 U.S.C. § 2259(c) (emphasis added). Comparing these statutes reveals that Congress abandoned the proximate causation language that would have reached all categories of harm via the definition of a victim. This change is consistent with the reasons for enacting a second generation of restitution statutes. See, e.g., United States v. Ekanem, 383 F.3d 40, 44 (2d Cir.2004) (noting "the intent and purpose of the MVRA to expand, rather than limit, the restitution remedy."), United States v. Perry, 360 F.3d 519, 524 (6th Cir.2004) ("The new law unquestionably reflects a dramatically more ``pro-victim' congressional attitude...."). The evolution in victims' rights statutes demonstrates Congress's choice to abandon a global requirement of proximate causation.

In Re Amy Unknown, 636 F.3d 190, 198-199 (5th Cir.2011).

Fourth, there is a difference between "proximate cause" and "cause." That said, any loss described in 18 U.S.C. § 2259(b)(3)(A)-(E) suffered by "Vicky" must have been "caused" (in whole or in part) by Fast although it need not be the "proximate" cause or the only cause.

Fifth, although I do not suggest that Fast had the intent to harm "Vicky," by downloading the "Vicky series" and also by having the capacity to make that bilge available to others over the Internet^[2], Fast personally and actually harmed "Vicky" as her evidence graphically proves (e.g., filing no. 38-1 at CM/ECF p. 6 and n. 2).

Sixth, because the statute does not say so and because due process would not allow, Fast cannot be responsible for injury to "Vicky" or loss suffered by her prior to the first date of his criminal offense and that date is June 25, 2010.

Seventh, while "Vicky" suffered some injury and loss on and after June 25, 2010, and except for the question of costs incurred by Vicky's counsel, the nature of that injury and the amount of that loss is neither clear nor precise.

Eighth, for the services of her lawyer, "Vicky" is entitled to (a) $700 as an attorney fee (2 hours at $350 per hour for work limited to this case)^[3] (filing no. 38-1 at CM/ECF p. 7) and (b) $9,163.84 for expenses reasonably incurred by counsel from and after June 25, 2010 (filing no. 38-2 at CM/ECF p. 266 (Ex. 11)). 18 U.S.C. § 2259(b)(3)(E),

Ninth, for medical and psychiatric care, occupational therapy and lost income, "Vicky" is entitled to $10,000. I find as a matter of fact that "Vicky" has actually suffered at least such loss although the precise amount of loss may in fact be much higher. However, without a more targeted evidentiary presentation geared to the condition of "Vicky" on and after June 25, 2010, the award I have made is a reasonable estimate and consistent with the government's request. (Filing no. 40 at CM/ECF p. 10.)

Tenth, while limited to $19,863.84, Fast's restitution obligation is joint and several with all persons who have been convicted and sentenced for possessing, receiving, distributing or producing child pornography and who have been ordered to make restitution to "Vicky."

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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NOTES

[1] While not attaching a great deal of significance to the point, my restitution order falls within the Guideline range for fines ($17,500 to $175,000) and I have not imposed a fine in this case.

[2] It is irrelevant where Fast stored the "Vicky" series on his computer. The fact that he possessed it, and could have made it available using his computer is all that counts.

[3] I cannot determine what attorney fees have been incurred from and after June 25, 2010 save for the amount claimed for counsel's presentation in this case.