Court Steers Child Porn Victims to Restitution

(CN) - The 9th Circuit ordered a restitution hearing for two victims of a child pornographer in California.

"Amy" and "Vicky," as they are described in court documents, are victims of Joseph Cantrelle, who pleaded guilty last year to the distribution of child pornography and is currently serving 14 years in prison.

The FBI has said that the 61-year-old's computer turned up "approximately 561 videos and 4,079 still images depicting minors engaged in various types of sexually explicit conduct."

Amy and Vicky had filed a writ of mandamus to receive restitution under the Crime Victims' Rights Act, but a federal judge in Sacramento found there was no evidence to support a "causal connection" between Cantrelle's crimes and the "losses" sustained by the girls.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit reversed late Monday, saying that the girls had established the connection, and that a presentencing report, filed under seal, had recommended restitution.

"Our review of the record demonstrates that petitioners provided sufficient evidence to establish a causal connection between defendant's offense and petitioners' losses," the unsigned order states.

The panel directed the District Court to conduct "further proceedings as may be appropriate to determine an amount of restitution to be paid to Amy and Vicky."

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit