Accused Mansfield Child Porn Sharer Wants Social Media Ban Lifted

MANSFIELD, MA — The attorney for a Mansfield man accused of downloading child pornography is asking a court to drop that a pre-trial condition that forbids his client from using social media.

Citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision, Brenda Klein of Brockton says that her client, 63-year-old Robert Howe Jr., has been barred from "principal sources for knowing current events, checking ads for employment, speaking and listening in the modern public square," according to the Sun Chronicle.

Howe has pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of child pornography and disseminating images of a child in the nude. Authorities say he downloaded nine photos of girls aged 10 to 12 years old in lascivious poses and shared them in chat rooms.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision, Lester Gerard Packingham, Petitioner v. North Carolina, determined that a state law that banned sex offenders from using social media violated the First Amendment. Klein argued that the condition should vacated because her client hasn't been convicted of a crime.

Gregg Miliote, a spokesman for the Bristol County District Attorney's office, said the office will oppose the request.

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