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

By AMY FORLITI Associated Press Writer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A federal judge in Minnesota has approved a $1,000 restitution award in a child pornography case.

Federal judges have in recent months struggled 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.

U.S. District Court Judge Patrick Schiltz warned Monday that determining restitution in such cases will not get any easier.

James Marsh, who is representing a victim seeking restitution in 400 cases nationwide, said that in this case the defendant, Brandon Buchanan, has limited means and that the $1,000 settlement is the best use of his resources.

Buchanan is serving a 7 1/2-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography.