Judge OK's $1,000 restitution in child porn case

A federal judge in Minnesota has approved a $1,000 restitution award in a child pornography case because the defense, prosecutors and the victim agreed on that amount.

But U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz says Monday that courts will continue to struggle with determining restitution in future child pornography cases.

Over the last year, federal judges nationwide have had to decide whether someone who possesses an abusive image is directly responsible for harming a child. Restitution awards have ranged from nothing to over $3 million.

James Marsh represents a victim seeking restitution in about 400 cases nationwide. Marsh says in this Minnesota case, defendant Brandon Buchanan has limited means so the $1,000 settlement was the best use of resources.

Buchanan has pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography and is serving a 7½-year prison sentence.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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