Porn Convictions Tossed Due to Use of Confidential Information

An Illinois man’s convictions on two counts of child pornography were tossed and resentencing was required on a third because the trial court improperly allowed the jury to hear confidential pretrial services information about his residence, the Seventh Circuit ruled.

Defendant Michael Chaparro told the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services he had lived at the address linked to a computer containing images of child pornography.

Because the statements made to pretrial services are confidential, the trial court violated Chaparro’s rights when it allowed the prosecution to call pretrial services as a witness to connect him to the scene of ...