Feds’ child porn probe of peer-to-peer Freenet software gets First Circuit approval

A First Circuit panel upheld the conviction of Eric Robert Johnson for possession of child pornography, ruling that the federal investigation using Freenet Roundup did not violate the Fourth Amendment. Johnson argued the government conducted broad surveillance, but the court found the probe was akin to ordinary Freenet user activity. Investigators later recovered over 5,000 child pornography files and related items during a physical search of Johnson's residence.