United States v. Sarras

[PUBLISH]

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FILED
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
________________________ ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
July 23, 2009
No. 08-11757 THOMAS K. KAHN
________________________ CLERK

D. C. Docket No. 07-00092-CR-ORL-22DAB

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

DONATOS SARRAS,

Defendant-Appellant.

________________________

Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Middle District of Florida
_________________________

(July 23, 2009)

ON PETITION FOR PANEL REHEARING

Before CARNES, HULL and COX, Circuit Judges.

HULL, Circuit Judge:

The previous opinion issued in this case, United States v. Sarras, — F.3d —,
2009 WL 1661152 (11th Cir., June 16, 2009), is hereby VACATED. In its place,

on petition for panel rehearing, we file this revised opinion. The petition for panel

rehearing is otherwise DENIED.

Defendant-Appellant Donatos Sarras appeals his convictions and sentences

for persuading his minor step-daughter to engage in sexually explicit conduct for

the purpose of producing photos of such conduct and for knowingly possessing

child pornography. After review and oral argument, we affirm.

I. BACKGROUND

In 2000, the minor victim (“E.M.”) was seven years old, and defendant

Sarras married her mother. In October 2005, Sarras and E.M.’s mother divorced,

but they did not tell E.M. about the divorce until July 2006. Sarras did not move

out of the family residence (the “Wheatfield residence”) until August 2006. After

moving out, Sarras kept a bedroom for E.M. in his new home (the “Tweed

residence”). E.M. stayed overnight with Sarras at the Tweed residence three times

a week during the fall of 2006, which is when the sexual conduct occurred.

Sarras was charged with knowingly persuading E.M. to engage in sexually

explicit conduct on October 16, 17, and 23, 2006, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §

2251(a), (e) (Counts I, II, and III), and knowingly possessing child pornography on

May 7, 2007, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(5)(B) and (b)(2) (Count IV).

The first trial resulted in a hung jury. Sarras was convicted on all counts in the

2
second trial. We detail the procedural history and evidence from the second trial.

A. Officer Ortiz’s Recorded Interview

On May 7, 2007, E.M., then fourteen years old, reported to the Seminole

County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office that, when she was thirteen years old, Sarras had

engaged in sexual intercourse with her and had taken pictures. On May 7, Dana

Ortiz, an investigator with the office’s Division of Crimes against Children,

conducted a sworn, recorded interview of E.M.

E.M. told Ortiz that Sarras was her stepfather and she stayed with him at the

Tweed residence several nights a week. According to E.M., around October or

November 2006, Sarras began having sexual intercourse and oral sex with E.M.

during her visits to his Tweed residence unless she “made up an excuse” to avoid

it. Sarras had sexual intercourse with E.M. more than ten times, performed oral

sex on her about three times, and had her perform oral sex on him more than ten

times. E.M. was unsure of the dates of these sexual encounters and could not say

for sure whether they were before or after Thanksgiving or Christmas.

E.M. told Officer Ortiz that, on one occasion, Sarras took “a lot” of pictures

while she was naked and while she was performing sexual acts on and with him.

Sarras used a digital camera that he kept at his Tweed residence.1 Asked if Sarras

had shown her pictures of other girls, E.M. said he had not. Sarras tried to show

1
E.M. and her mother previously had used the camera to take pictures at Sea World or the
Kennedy Space Center.

3
E.M. the pictures he took of her, but she did not want to look at them and refused.

E.M. said that Sarras’s laptop computer was always on the coffee table in front of

the television. E.M. believed that Sarras had downloaded the pictures to his laptop

because “he said that he wanted to store them so he could . . . look at them

sometimes.”

Under the supervision of Officer Ortiz, E.M. telephoned Sarras. During the

recorded call, Sarras repeatedly denied any involvement in the alleged offenses and

asked if E.M. needed help. Sarras told E.M. that he was going to call her mother

immediately about the call. Sarras attempted to call several times, but, at Ortiz’s

direction, E.M.’s mother did not answer. Within minutes of the call, Sarras deleted

41 sexual images of E.M. on his laptop, uninstalled his access to LimeWire, and

deleted adult pornographic images downloaded earlier that day through

LimeWire.2

B. Search of Sarras’s Home

Immediately after the Sarras call, Officer Ortiz prepared an affidavit for a

warrant to search Sarras’s home.3 Ortiz’s affidavit said the victim reported that:

(1) her stepfather, Sarras, sexually battered her at his residence from October 2006

2
The LimeWire program is a peer-to-peer file sharing program which allows outsiders to
access files on any computer also programmed with LimeWire.
3
Ortiz’s affidavit referenced Fla. Stat. § 827.071(5), making it a crime for “any person to
knowingly possess a photograph, motion picture, exhibition, show, representation, or other
presentation which . . . he . . . knows to include any sexual conduct by a child.”

4
through January 2007; (2) Sarras had sexual intercourse with her more than ten

times, licked her breast approximately two times, performed oral sex on her

approximately three times, and received oral sex from her over ten times; and (3)

Sarras took numerous pictures of their sexual activities with a digital camera that

he kept in his home. The affidavit listed types of erotic depictions that computer

forensic examiners should look for in the seized media and identified computers

and other devices capable of storing such depictions digitally.

Finding that Ortiz’s affidavit established probable cause, a state circuit judge

issued a warrant authorizing the officers (1) to search Sarras’s residence “for

computer or digital data, programs, applications, files, electronic communications,

or other digitally stored date [sic], dynamic data such as processes, open files,

services, data in memory, data in an encrypted or decrypted state . . . in the form of

graphics files . . . or other visual depiction or other physical computer/digital data

of [a] child of less than eighteen (18) years of age” engaging in sexual acts and (2)

to image forensically “[t]he data storage devices” onsite or at the Sheriff’s Office

computer forensic lab depending on any technical limitations encountered at the

described location.

At Sarras’s Tweed residence, officers seized a laptop computer from the

coffee table, a Sony Cybershot digital camera, and other computer equipment.4 A

4
In addition to the laptop computer and the Sony digital camera, officers seized 44 CDs,
30 floppy discs, 1 flash drive, 2 IBM hard drives, 1 Western hard drive, 4 generic towers, 1

5
search of the camera’s memory stick revealed 41 images of E.M. engaged in

sexually explicit conduct. A search of the laptop computer revealed the same 41

images (“the laptop photos”). A computer forensics examiner determined that (1)

all of the pictures were taken with a Sony Cybershot digital camera, (2) 15 photos

were taken on October 16, 2006, (3) 10 were taken on October 17, 2006, and (4) 16

were taken on October 23–24, 2006.

Of the 41 laptop photos, 27 capture E.M. alone, posing nude, and 14 showed

E.M. engaging in sex acts with an adult male. These 14 images appear to have

been taken by the adult male in the images because they do not show his face and

show only the top side of his erect penis. The 14 images show the man and E.M.

engaged in oral and vaginal intercourse. Most of these 14 pictures appear to have

been taken during intercourse and thus display only a part of the shaft of the erect

penis. Of the 14 photos showing the penis, 1 was taken on October 16, 2006, in

Sarras’s bedroom at the Tweed residence, 5 were taken on October 17, 2006, in

E.M.’s mother’s bedroom at the Wheatfield residence, and 8 were taken on

October 23–24, 2006, in Sarras’s bedroom at the Tweed residence. The 27 photos

showing E.M. alone, posing nude, also were spread over the 3 days.

C. Sarras’s Motion to Suppress

Sarras moved to suppress the evidence seized from his Tweed residence,

Olympus camera, 1 disc drive, 2 videotapes, and 2 DVD-Rs.

6
alleging that (1) Ortiz’s affidavit contained deliberate and material falsehoods and

omissions and (2) a Franks hearing was required.5 The magistrate judge’s report

recommended denial of Sarras’s suppression motion. The magistrate judge found

“no basis to conclude that Investigator Ortiz acted intentionally or with reckless

disregard in omitting material facts from the affidavit.” Rather, the magistrate

judge determined that “the claimed omissions are selective characterizations of

what the child said, most of which are immaterial to the probable cause

determination in any event.” The magistrate judge concluded that “[t]here is no

indication how these statements, even if true, vitiate the allegations in the Affidavit

or the crux of the case: the child’s testimony that her stepfather had sex with her

and took photographs of her, on a digital camera which he kept at his house.”

The district court denied Sarras’s suppression motion and request for a

Franks hearing. The district court found that “there existed a fair probability that

evidence of the crimes charged would be found in the Defendant’s residence” and,

as to the search affidavit, “[t]he level of detail the Defendant demands is legally

unsupportable.” The district court agreed with the magistrate judge’s finding that

5
Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 155–56, 98 S. Ct. 2674, 2676 (1978) (instructing that
where a defendant makes a “substantial preliminary showing that a false statement knowingly
and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, was included by the affiant in [a]
warrant affidavit, and if the allegedly false statement is necessary to the finding of probable
cause, the Fourth Amendment requires that a hearing be held at the defendant’s request”). Sarras
also argued that the warrant was invalid because the affidavit did not establish probable cause,
the information contained in the affidavit was stale, and the warrant was overbroad. The district
court found against Sarras in each respect, and he does not appeal those rulings.

7
there was no basis to conclude that Officer Ortiz acted intentionally or with

reckless disregard in omitting material facts from her affidavit and that there was

no indication of how the statements Sarras contends were omitted, even if true,

“vitiate the allegations in the Affidavit or the crux of the case.”

D. Defense and Government Photos

At trial, Sarras argued that he was not the man in the laptop photos because

he has a mole on his penis, and no mole is visible in the laptop photos.6 However,

the government contended that no mole is visible in the laptop photos because they

show only the top of the penis and that Sarras’s mole is actually near the bottom of

his penis. At trial, it was undisputed that Sarras has a mole on his penis, but the

mole’s location was vigorously disputed. We thus review the photos of Sarras’s

penis introduced at the second trial.

Defense counsel had pictures of Sarras’s penis taken to permit the jury to

visually compare Sarras’s penis and the penis depicted in the laptop photos. The

court designated Thomas Hemphill of the Medical Examiner’s Office as the

photographer, and the government’s case agent attended.

Hemphill photographed Sarras’s genitalia, both flaccid and with an erection

(“the defense photos”). As Sarras “prepared” himself for the erection pictures, all

6
During his testimony, Sarras and his counsel referred to the distinctive marking on his
penis interchangeably as a “mole” and as a “birthmark.” So did other witnesses. We use the
term “mole” for consistency and to avoid confusion.

8
others present—Sarras’s counsel, the marshals, and the FBI case agent—turned

their backs. When they turned around, Sarras had his hands near his erect penis.

Sarras kept his hands there while Hemphill stood on a chair and took overhead

pictures of Sarras’s penis. A mole on the top of Sarras’s erect penis is visible in

the defense photos.

Before the second trial, the government took another set of photos of

Sarras’s penis, but this time with a doctor holding it. Specifically, the government

moved to take more pictures of Sarras’s penis alleging (1) the defense photos were

not taken from the same angle as the laptop photos but were taken over Sarras’s

right shoulder and (2) Sarras had strategically manipulated his penis in the defense

photos so that his mole would be visible from that viewpoint. The government

proposed that Dr. David Jablonski, a board-certified urologist, be present for

another set of photos. The district court granted the government’s motion.

At the second photo shoot, Sarras stood while Dr. Jablonski held Sarras’s

flaccid penis between his thumb and forefinger to ensure that the penis was

completely straight. Dr. Jablonski continued to hold Sarras’s flaccid penis while

an unidentified photographer took photos from the top and from the side (“the

government photos”). The government photos taken from overhead do not show a

mole on the top of Sarras’s penis. In the pictures taken from the side, the mole

appears to be at the 8 o’clock position, near the bottom of the penis rather than on

9
or near the top.7

Before the second trial, Sarras moved in limine to exclude Dr. Jablonski’s

testimony or, in the alternative, for a Daubert hearing.8 Although Dr. Jablonski

stated that he placed Sarras’s penis in a neutral position for photographing, Sarras

claimed that Dr. Jablonski (1) actually “turned the skin of the Defendant’s penis in

order to manipulate the position of the ‘mole’ and veins” and (2) there was “no

indication that the testimony of Dr. Jablonski would comply with Daubert.”

Prior to jury selection in the second trial, the district court orally denied

Sarras’s motion. The court stated that “Dr. Jablonski’s credentials are sufficient

for him to testify to what he intends to testify to. So I don’t need a Daubert

hearing.” The government explained that it intended to introduce its photos on

rebuttal only if Sarras introduced the defense photos.

E. Sarras’s Expert Dr. Ferdon

Another trial issue involved the testimony of Sarras’s retained expert, Dr.

Edward J. Ferdon. Dr. Ferdon specialized in erectile dysfunction and premature

ejaculation. Dr. Ferdon examined Sarras in both the flaccid and erect states. The

examination took about 15 to 20 minutes. His 2007 report offered these opinions:

7
Throughout this case, the parties describe the location of Sarras’s mole on his penis
using the image of a clock. The parties use 12 o’clock as the top of the penis and 6 o’clock as
the bottom. Unless otherwise noted, the clock imagery assumes that the viewer is standing in
front of and facing the man’s penis.
8
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S. Ct. 2786 (1993).

10
(1) Sarras’s erect penis has “a several millimeter mole on the proximal right shaft

dorsolaterally at approximately the 2:00 o’clock position” when looking from

Sarras’s perspective out from Sarras’s body; (2) “[t]his mole is not seen on the

penis in any of the [laptop] photographs”; (3) “the position and lengths of the

visible dorsal vein and other superficial veins on the shaft of Mr. Sarras’s [erect]

penis are different from those of the penis in the [laptop] photographs”; and (4)

“[a]ll of these facts lead me to conclude that Mr. Sarras’s penis is not seen in the

[laptop] photographs.”9

The government moved to exclude Dr. Ferdon’s testimony on numerous

substantive grounds discussed later.10 Before the first trial, the district court

granted the government’s motion. The district court found that: (1) jurors were

equally capable of making a visual comparison between the penises in the defense

and laptop photos; (2) “this is not a subject necessitating expertise; no specialized

knowledge is required here”; (3) “[t]he doctor’s observations are simply a visual

comparison between the characteristics of the penises”; (4) Dr. Ferdon’s testimony

“concerns a matter within the understanding of the average layperson”; (5) “[t]he

9
On October 16, 2007, Sarras produced the unsigned written report of Dr. Ferdon in
which he expressed the same opinions, but added that “[t]his mole would most certainly have
been visible in the [laptop] photographs.” Dr. Ferdon’s report states that it is based on his
examination of Sarras’s penis “in the erect state.”
10
The government’s motion also argued that Sarras’s “scant disclosure” of Dr. Ferdon did
not comply with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16 and the disclosure was untimely. The
district court never ruled on the Rule 16 procedural issues.

11
same visual comparison can be made just as easily by a non-expert, including the

jurors themselves (from photographs)”; (6) Sarras “fails to establish the reliability

of Dr. Ferdon’s [vein] methodology,” “[i]n fact, the Defendant does not address the

[methodology-reliability] issue,” and thus Dr. Ferdon’s proposed testimony fails to

meet the Daubert standard; and (7) even if it met the Daubert standard, the

testimony would be unduly prejudicial because of its potential to mislead the jury.

Despite its ruling on the motion, the district court in the second trial

ultimately admitted considerable testimony by Dr. Ferdon. It still precluded him

from giving an identification opinion that, based on his visual comparison of the

veins in the erect penises in the defense and laptop photos, Sarras was not the

person in the laptop photos. The district court relied on its earlier Daubert and

other rulings as to Dr. Ferdon to support that decision.

F. Government’s Evidence at Second Trial

We now turn to the evidence in the second trial. The government’s first

witness was E.M., who testified that Sarras married her mother in 2000, when E.M.

was seven years old. Sarras was like a father to E.M. After Sarras and E.M.’s

mother stopped living together in August 2006, he continued to see E.M. During

the fall of 2006, Sarras kept a bedroom for E.M. in his Tweed residence, where

E.M. stayed overnight three times a week. At some point, Sarras began talking

with E.M. about sex. Later, Sarras lifted up her shirt and licked her left nipple

12
before tucking her into bed.

Eventually, Sarras began having sex with E.M. every time she stayed at his

Tweed residence unless E.M. “made up an excuse that [she] was sick or [she] had a

headache.” At least once, Sarras had sex with E.M. after school in her mother’s

bedroom at the Wheatfield residence while E.M.’s mother was at work. E.M.

testified that Sarras threatened to take away her home and kill her, her mom, or her

dog if she told anyone that Sarras forced her to have sex with him. E.M.

eventually confided in a friend. When her friend’s father found out in May 2007,

E.M. told her mother and then the police.

E.M. also explained that in October or November 2006, Sarras used a Sony

Cybershot camera to take pictures of E.M. performing sex acts on him. E.M.

identified the Sony Cybershot camera seized from Sarras’s Tweed residence as the

camera Sarras used to take the laptop photos (exhibits 1–41).

E.M. identified where each of the 41 laptop photos was taken based on the

furniture in the pictures. Exhibits 1–15 were taken in Sarras’s bedroom at his

Tweed residence. Exhibits 16–25 were taken at E.M.’s mother’s bedroom at his

Wheatfield residence. Exhibits 26–41 were taken in Sarras’s bedroom at his

Tweed residence. Fourteen of the 41 exhibits depict an adult male, whose penis is

shown but whose face is not, engaged in sex acts with E.M. E.M. identified the

male in these 14 pictures as Sarras. E.M. appears nude and alone in the other 27

13
pictures.

E.M. testified that, in exhibits 26–41, she had a red ribbon around her wrist.

Her middle school gave students the ribbon to wear during “Drug Free Week.”

E.M. testified that the ribbon was given out in October or November 2006. The

school passed the ribbons out on Monday and asked the students to wear them all

week if they intended to stay drug free.11

On cross-examination, Sarras’s counsel highlighted the inconsistencies

between (1) E.M.’s testimony on direct and (2) her testimony in the first trial and

her interview with Officer Ortiz. E.M. previously could remember Sarras taking

photos on only one occasion and could not remember exactly when that was. E.M.

did not tell Officer Ortiz that a Sony Cybershot camera was used. E.M. did not

remember any distinguishing marks or moles in Sarras’s genital area and told

Officer Ortiz that Sarras did not have any such marks.

E.M. created her own MySpace page and used Sarras’s Sony Cybershot

camera to take pictures for it. Sarras taught her how to use a computer and what

the various parts of a computer were. E.M. took a “beginning web design” class at

school. E.M. knew that Sarras had a new girlfriend and was getting ready to leave

Florida. E.M. knew the security code to Sarras’s Tweed residence. E.M. was

11
The government also called Joann Kramperth, a seventh grade math teacher at E.M.’s
middle school. Kramperth testified that she was familiar with Red Ribbon Week and the middle
school celebrated it from Monday, October 23 through October 27, 2006. She also stated that
red wristbands were passed out in homeroom the morning of October 23. On cross-examination,
Kramperth admitted that the school did not collect the ribbons at the end of the week.

14
unhappy that he blocked MTV at his home.

On redirect examination, E.M. testified that she was “scared” during her

sexual encounters with Sarras and had “blocked some of it out.” E.M. stated that it

had been the most traumatic thing that had ever happened to her. Based on this

testimony, Sarras’s counsel argued that he should be permitted to ask E.M. about

her post-abuse sexual relationship with her boyfriend. The district court denied

Sarras’s request, stating, “[Federal Rule of Evidence 412]12 is pretty clear that this

kind of evidence does not come in, whether or not – that’s the whole point of it is

the victims can be traumatized whether or not they’ve had other sexual

relationships.”

The government also called Officer Ortiz, who was with the Seminole

County Sheriff’s Office since 1999, is part of the Crimes against Children Unit,

and investigates cases involving sex crimes against children, child abductions, and

child abuse. Ortiz testified only that she monitored and recorded the phone call

E.M. placed to Sarras. The recording was played for the jury without objection.

On cross-examination, Sarras’s counsel asked Officer Ortiz about the

information she included in and excluded from her search warrant affidavit. On

redirect, Ortiz testified that, based on her training and experience as a sex-crimes

12
The district court mistakenly stated Rule “413” at trial, but correctly cited Rule 412 in
its earlier written order granting the government’s motion in limine to exclude E.M.’s sexual
history.

15
investigator, it is not unusual for a thirteen-year-old child to forget the exact dates

and times of her abuse.

On re-cross, Officer Ortiz admitted that, based on her “training and

experience as a sexual crime and child abuse investigator,” it is very common in

cases involving child pornography to find other photos of child pornography. She

acknowledged that investigators found no other pornographic photos in Sarras’s

home or on his computers.13

The government next called Officer Erik Zabik, a forensic investigator for

the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Zabik examined (1) the memory stick and

camera card from the Sony Cybershot and (2) Sarras’s laptop computer. Zabik

found the 41 laptop photos on its hard drive in an encrypted, “hidden” folder14 that

was deleted at 3:59 p.m. on May 7, 2007. This was ten minutes after the 3:32

p.m.–3:49 p.m. controlled phone call between E.M. and Sarras.

Officer Zabik testified that, at various points throughout the day, Windows

“automatically . . . takes a snapshot of the Windows registry and other files” so that

13
Also on re-cross, Sarras’s counsel questioned Ortiz about her failure to take fingerprints
from the camera or the laptop. Ortiz responded that it was not necessary to fingerprint the
equipment because it was found inside Sarras’s home and there was no question that the camera
was his.
14
Zabik explained that the term “hidden” is a term of art. A user can assign the “hidden”
attribute to a file to “hide[] the file from the user, so if the settings are at the default settings on
the computer, if a folder or a file has the hidden attribute applied to it, the user, the normal user
would not be able to see that file.” Essentially, if a folder is “hidden,” the folder itself is visible
to the user but the files inside the folder are not. Here, the “hidden” folder was named “New
Folder.”

16
a user can restore his computer to a certain date and time in the event of a crash.

These “restore points” are automatically saved in “restore point folders” on the

computer. Zabik explained that, starting at 4:12 p.m. on May 7, 2007, all of the

approximately 80 restore point folders on Sarras’s laptop, containing restore points

going back several months, were manually deleted.

Officer Zabik testified that “neither remote assistance [n]or remote desktop

had been accessed [on Sarras’s laptop] in quite sometime [sic]” and that the

“exchangeable image file data” embedded into the graphic files containing the

images of E.M. established that all of the pictures were taken with the same make

and model Sony Cybershot camera that was seized from Sarras’s home.

By using software that analyzes the picture files and determines the exact

time they were taken, Officer Zabik was able to determine exactly when the

laptops photos were taken. The images of E.M. in exhibits 1–15 (in Sarras’s

bedroom at his Tweed residence) were taken on October 16, 2006, between 10:31

p.m. and 11:52 p.m. The images in exhibits 16–25 (in E.M.’s mother’s bedroom at

the Wheatfield residence) were taken on October 17, 2006, between 5:48 p.m. and

6:53 p.m. The images in exhibits 26–41 (in Sarras’s bedroom at his Tweed

residence) were taken on October 23–24, 2006, between 11:47 p.m. and 12:18 a.m.

Officer Zabik also detailed the use of Sarras’s laptop computer throughout

May 7, 2007, the day of the controlled call from 3:32 p.m.–3:49 p.m. According to

17
Zabik, the forensic examination showed that between 1:15 p.m.–2:45 p.m. Sarras’s

laptop began downloading adult pornography through LimeWire. The laptop also

accessed an online management course and Greek sports websites throughout most

of May 7. At 3:21 p.m., the laptop was used to access Sarras’s email account. At

3:51 p.m., two minutes after the controlled phone call, Sarras’s laptop was used to

access LimeWire. LimeWire was uninstalled at 3:55 p.m. At 3:58 p.m., Sarras’s

laptop was used to access the “hidden” folder containing the laptop photos. The

folder was deleted at 3:59 p.m. Between 4:12 and 4:15 p.m., the adult

pornography downloaded earlier in the day and the computer’s restore points were

deleted.

On cross-examination, Officer Zabik testified that the date and time applet

on Sarras’s laptop (that Zabik used to construct his May 7 chronology) was

accessed on May 6, 2007, at 3:59 p.m. He could not say if the computer’s date and

time were altered on May 6. Zabik admitted that someone could access the

program and change the date and time to whatever the person wanted, thus causing

a false date and time to be placed on a file. There was no way to tell if the dates

were changed in this case.

Officer Zabik admitted that, out of approximately 115,000 files and folders

on Sarras’s laptop, and millions of files on Sarras’s other computers, the folder

containing the laptop photos was the only encrypted folder and the only child

18
pornography that Zabik found. The laptop photos did not appear on the laptop

until April 19, 2007, and Zabik did not know where they had been stored before

that date. Zabik did not find that Sarras had conducted any internet searches for

child pornography. This was Zabik’s only child pornography case that did not

involve more than one set of images or more than one child.

Officer Zabik also testified that Sarras’s laptop operated on a wireless

network, and he agreed that someone could access a computer that is on a wireless

system and had an open port. Zabik admitted that (1) he never tested E.M.’s

computer, (2) he did not determine if there was an interconnection between E.M.’s

computer and Sarras’s laptop, and (3) anyone could turn on Sarras’s computer

because it was not password protected. Zabik also found pictures on the seized

computer media that showed that E.M. was in possession of a Sony Cybershot

camera “prior to the time frame of the charged images.” Finally, Zabik testified

that, if someone wanted to make the laptop photos unrecoverable, even from the

police forensic software, the person could have done that.

G. Sarras’s Evidence at Second Trial

Sarras testified in his defense. At the time of the second trial, Sarras was 35

years old. He was born and raised in Greece. He was trained in electrical

engineering and computer science and had worked in the computer industry since

the early 1990s. He built between 140–200 computers, including the ones seized

19
in this case. In 2004, Sarras started his own company, which grossed $1.8 million

in 2005. Sarras met E.M.’s mother in late 1999, and they married in August 2000.

Sarras’s defense was that he was set up and the images of E.M. were planted on his

laptop.

According to Sarras, marital problems began in late 2003, when he noticed

$10,000 missing from his bank account. In August 2004, he bought the Wheatfield

residence and began building his Tweed residence. The couple divorced in

October 2005 but did not tell E.M. about the divorce until July 2006. Sarras

continued to live with E.M.’s mother at his Wheatfield residence until August

2006, when he finished construction on his Tweed residence. Sarras continued to

pay the mortgage and bills on his Wheatfield residence until November 2006. In

December 2006, Sarras told E.M.’s mother about his new girlfriend, and in April

2007, he told her that he had decided to move to Massachusetts.

Sarras and E.M.’s mother had financial dealings and even a joint bank

account well into 2007. Sarras paid off the mortgage on the Wheatfield residence

in January 2007. On January 31, he transferred the deed to the Wheatfield

residence to E.M.’s mother for a $120,000 check, which covered about half of the

home’s equity. The bank refused to cash the check, saying E.M.’s mother did not

have enough money in her individual account. Sarras later admitted that E.M.’s

mother did take out a mortgage and deposit $123,470 into their joint bank account

20
even though she also kept her own account. Sarras admitted that he still had a joint

account with E.M.’s mother on May 7, 2007, but testified that on May 7, 2007, he

learned that $70,000 was missing from that joint account. Sarras later denied

talking E.M.’s mother into forgoing an attorney for their divorce in exchange for

$70,000.

Both E.M. and her mother had keys to Sarras’s Tweed residence. Sarras

acknowledged that E.M. visited his Tweed residence at least once a week from

September 15 to November 15, 2006. E.M. liked to stay at Sarras’s Tweed

residence on Fridays because it was very near one of her favorite places to spend

time with friends. Sarras taught E.M. how to use computers, which she “was

fascinated with.” An open port allowed the exchange of files between Sarras’s

Tweed and Wheatfield residences. E.M. and her mother primarily used the Sony

Cybershot camera. Sarras said he was not interested in taking photos. At some

point, Sarras blocked MTV on his main television and imposed dating rules on

E.M. As a result, E.M. stopped coming over to Sarras’s Tweed residence. His

relationship with E.M. was “effectively terminated” by mid-November 2006.

Sarras denied having any physical relationship with E.M. and taking the

laptop photos. He did not know they were on his laptop computer and did not

delete them or the restore points feature. Sarras testified that his penis is not

circumcised, he has a mole on the top side of his penis, and the laptop photos show

21
no mole on the top of the penis. Sarras testified that his mole would have appeared

in the laptop photos if in fact the photos were of his penis.

On cross-examination, Sarras admitted that, on May 7, 2007, he logged into

the online management course described by Officer Zabik and was at his home

when he received the controlled phone call from E.M.

Sarras acknowledged that the government moved to have a second set of

photos taken with Dr. Jablonski present. Sarras denied that he opposed the second

photos because they would show that his mole is on the side of his penis and not on

the top. When presented with the government’s photos (exhibits 77–79), Sarras

admitted that his mole did not appear in exhibit 77, the overhead photo showing

the top of his penis. He acknowledged that in the side-view picture (exhibit 79),

the mole appeared to be on the side of his penis.

On redirect, Sarras testified that he objected when Dr. Jablonski twisted his

penis before the government photos were taken.

Sarras’s counsel then called Hemphill, who took the defense photos.

Hemphill stated that the men in the room turned their backs so that Sarras could

“prepar[e] himself” for the photos. After Sarras achieved an erection and arranged

himself, the men turned around and Hemphill stepped on a chair and photographed

Sarras’s penis from over Sarras’s shoulder.

Sarras also called Donald Rehman, Sr., a former law enforcement officer and

22
owner of Rehman Technology Services, Inc., which offers computer forensics

services.15 Rehman examined the media seized from Sarras’s home, including the

mirror image of the laptop’s hard drive and the Sony Cybershot. Rehman found no

sign of the laptop photos on the camera’s memory card. He believed that the

laptop photos first appeared on the laptop on April 19, 2007, and were last

accessed on April 30, 2007. Rehman found that LimeWire was installed on

February 19, 2007, reinstalled on May 7, 2007, at 4:57 p.m., and then uninstalled

later on May 7, 2007, at an undeterminable time.

Rehman testified that it was possible to change a computer’s date to some

time in the past, put items on that computer, change the date to tomorrow, delete

the files, and change the computer back to today’s date. Rehman stated that the

date applet on the laptop was accessed at 3:59 p.m. on May 6, 2007, and the date

changed to May 7, 2007, to make it appear that the images had been deleted on

May 7. Rehman found no other pornography on Sarras’s laptop and no evidence

that Sarras had searched the internet for child pornography.

Sarras also called Dr. Ferdon. The court allowed Dr. Ferdon to testify about

15
For most of the 1990s, Rehman worked on investigations involving computer crimes
and online child exploitation. In the child exploitation cases, Rehman posed as a teenager or as
an adult pedophile with access to children. Criminal matters constituted approximately 25% of
Rehman’s business. In more than half of those criminal cases, the government hired Rehman.
The government mostly hired Rehman to examine images and render an opinion as to whether
the images involved real children or whether the images were altered or computer generated.
Rehman usually testified as to the behavior of people who are interested in sexually exploiting
children.

23
the features of Sarras’s penis and the photos in evidence. Although he had not

formally studied urology, Dr. Ferdon had examined between 15,000 and 16,000

male genitalia over the six years before Sarras’s second trial. Dr. Ferdon examined

Sarras’s penis in both the erect and non-erect states. Dr. Ferdon explained that

“dorsal” means the top of the penis and “lateral” means the side. Dr. Ferdon stated

that Sarras’s mole “is in the dorsolateral, meaning towards the top, towards the side

but in – between the direct side and the actual top.” In terms of a clock, with the

top of the penis being 12 o’clock and the bottom 6 o’clock, Dr. Ferdon described

the location of the mole from 2 viewpoints. The mole was at 10 o’clock when

standing directly in front of and looking back at Sarras’s penis. The mole was at 2

o’clock when looking from Sarras’s perspective out from Sarras’s body. Dr.

Ferdon examined the defense photos of Sarras’s penis, in which the mole is visible

in the overhead pictures, and said that the penis appeared to be in the “neutral

position,” not rotated.

Dr. Ferdon also testified that Sarras’s penis was uncircumcised. Dr. Ferdon

studied the 14 laptop photos showing the penis and testified that, in his medical

opinion, 2 of the 14 photos showed a penis that is “clearly completely

circumcised.” As to whether the penis in the other 12 laptop photos was

circumcised, Dr. Ferdon testified that: (1) as to 7 photos, he “[could] not tell” or

was “uncertain”; (2) as to 1 photo, he “would say circumcised”; (3) as to 3 photos,

24
it “appear[ed] to be” or “apparently” was circumcised; and (4) as to 1 photo, he

“th[ought]” uncircumcised.16 Dr. Ferdon also examined the government photos

and testified that the urologist (Dr. Jablonski) “appears to be pulling the skin of the

base of [Sarras’s] penis and in the groin area towards the right,” which would have

pulled the mole to the bottom of the penis so that it would not be visible from

overhead.

Sarras’s counsel also questioned Dr. Ferdon about penis veins. Dr. Ferdon

explained that the dorsal vein is “the prominent vein seen subcutaneously just

beneath the skin on the top portion of the penis.” He also testified that there are

other veins in the penis, but the dorsal vein is the most prominent. Dr. Ferdon

explained that, when he examined Sarras’s erect penis, its veins were in the same

position as the veins shown in the defense photos.

H. Government’s Rebuttal Evidence

In rebuttal, the government called Dr. Jablonski, who also examined Sarras’s

penis.17 According to Dr. Jablonski, if the viewer is facing Sarras’s penis and the

top of the penis is 12 o’clock and the bottom is 6 o’clock, Sarras’s mole is at the 8

o’clock position. When Sarras’s penis is in the neutral position, his mole would

not be visible when looking from overhead. Dr. Jablonksi stated that the penis in

16
Dr. Ferdon did state that defense photo 4B showed Sarras’s penis “in a mostly erect
state with some retraction of the foreskin naturally occurring during the erect state.” Dr. Ferdon
also admitted that as an uncircumcised penis becomes fully erect, the skin retracts.
17
Sarras did not object when Dr. Jablonski took the stand.

25
the laptop photos was in the neutral position. Dr. Jablonski testified that (1) for the

government’s photos, he personally held Sarras’s penis in the straight, neutral

position, (2) the mole was not visible in the government photos, (3) the vertical

position of Sarras’s urethra in the government photos confirmed his penis was in

the neutral position, (4) based on the position of the dorsal vein and the location of

Sarras’s mole at 10 o’clock in the defense photos, the penis had to have been

rotated in the defense photos, and (5) an uncircumcised penis can appear to be

circumcised when fully erect because the skin stretches as the penis elongates.

Dr. Jablonski also explained that the frenulum “is a concentration of tissue

which is always present right at the 6:00 o’clock position, where the two halves of

the head of the penis, the glans[,] have come together and fused around the

urethra.” He pointed to the position of the urethra in one of the government photos

and explained that it confirmed that Sarras’s penis was in the neutral position in

that photo.

The jury convicted Sarras on all counts.

I. Sentencing

The Presentence Investigation Report (“PSI”) calculated Sarras’s base

offense level under the Sentencing Guidelines as (1) level 32 for each of Counts I,

II, and III and (2) level 18 for Count IV. See U.S.S.G. §§ 2G2.1(a), 2G2.2(a)(1).

The PSI did not group the offenses together because the different counts did not

26
involve “substantially the same harm”; instead, the criminal acts against E.M. on

different occasions involved multiple, separate instances of fear and risk of harm.

See U.S.S.G. § 3D1.2.18

As to each of Counts I–III, the PSI recommended increasing Sarras’s total

offense level from 32 to 40 based on: (1) a two-level increase pursuant to §

2G2.1(b)(1)(B) because the offenses involved a minor between the ages of 12 and

16; (2) a two-level increase pursuant to § 2G2.1(b)(2)(A) because the offenses

involved the commission of a sex act or sexual contact; (3) a two-level increase

pursuant to § 2G2.1(b)(5) because the minor was in Sarras’s custody, care, or

supervisory control; and (4) a two-level increase pursuant to § 3C1.1 because

Sarras “knowingly altered evidence presented at trial” by rotating his penis in the

defense photos to make it appear that his mole is on the top side of his penis.

18
“Counts are to be grouped together into a single Group if any one or more of the
subsections [in § 3D1.2] provide for such grouping.” U.S.S.G. § 3D1.2 cmt. n.1. Sarras’s
criminal acts did not fall within any of the subsections in § 3D1.2, which provides:
All counts involving substantially the same harm shall be grouped together into a
single Group. Counts involve substantially the same harm within the meaning of this
rule:
(a) When counts involve the same victim and the same act or transaction.
(b) When counts involve the same victim and two or more acts or transactions
connected by a common criminal objective or constituting part of a common
scheme or plan.
(c) When one of the counts embodies conduct that is treated as a specific offense
characteristic in, or other adjustment to, the guideline applicable to another of
the counts.
(d) When the offense level is determined largely on the basis of the total amount
of harm or loss, the quantity of a substance involved, or some other measure
of aggregate harm, or if the offense behavior is ongoing or continuous in nature
and the offense guideline is written to cover such behavior.
U.S.S.G. § 3D1.2.

27
 As to Count IV, the PSI recommended increasing Sarras’s total offense level

from 18 to 29 based on: (1) a five-level increase pursuant to § 2G2.2(b)(5) because

Sarras engaged in a pattern of activity involving sexual abuse or exploitation of a

minor; (2) a two-level increase pursuant to § 2G2.2(b)(6) because the offense

involved the use of a computer; (3) a two-level increase pursuant to

§ 2G2.2(b)(7)(A) because the offense involved at least 10 images, but fewer than

150 images; and (4) a two-level increase pursuant to § 3C1.1 for obstruction of

justice by knowingly introducing altered evidence.

Because each of the four counts was individually considered and not

grouped together, the PSI applied the unit calculation in § 3D1.4 to determine

Sarras’s combined offense level.19 The PSI calculated 1 unit for Count I because it

19
U.S.S.G. § 3D1.4 provides:
The combined offense level is determined by taking the offense level applicable
to the Group with the highest offense level and increasing that offense level by
the amount indicated in the following table:
Number of Units Increase in Offense Level
1 none
1 1/2 add 1 level
2 add 2 levels
2 1/2 -3 add 3 levels
3 1/2 -5 add 4 levels
More than 5 add 5 levels.
In determining the number of Units for purposes of this section:
(a) Count as one Unit the Group with the highest offense level. Count one
additional Unit for each Group that is equally serious or from 1 to 4 levels less
serious.
(b) Count as one-half Unit any Group that is 5 to 8 levels less serious than the
Group with the highest offense level.
(c) Disregard any Group that is 9 or more levels less serious than the Group with the
highest offense level. Such Groups will not increase the applicable offense level but may
provide a reason for sentencing at the higher end of the sentencing range for the
applicable offense level.

28
had “the highest offense level” and 1 unit each for Counts II and III because they

had an “equally serious” offense level. U.S.S.G. § 3D1.4(a). Based on these 3

units for Counts I–III, the PSI added 3 levels to Sarras’s highest offense level of

40. See U.S.S.G. § 3D1.4. Sarras had a combined adjusted offense level of 43.20

Based on Sarras’s total offense level of 43 and his criminal history category

of I, Sarras’s advisory guidelines range was life imprisonment. However, the

statutory maximum imprisonment is 30 years for each of Counts I, II, and III, 18

U.S.C. § 2251(e), and 10 years for Count IV, 18 U.S.C. § 2252(b)(2). Because the

statutory maximum on each count was less than the advisory guidelines range of

life imprisonment, the statutory maximum on each Count became the advisory

guidelines range for each Count, i.e. 30 years on each of Counts I–III and 10 years

on Count IV. See U.S.S.G. § 5G1.1(a) (“Where the statutorily authorized

maximum sentence is less than the minimum of the applicable guideline range, the

statutorily authorized maximum sentence shall be the guideline sentence.”).

In the particular circumstances of this case, § 5G1.2(d) in turn provided that

the statutory maximum sentences shall run consecutively. See U.S.S.G. §

U.S.S.G. § 3D1.4.
20
The PSI also recommended a five-level increase from 43 to 48 in Sarras’s adjusted
offense level because: (1) his offense involved a covered sex crime; (2) the career offender
provision and § 4B1.5(a) did not apply; and (3) Sarras had engaged in a pattern of activity
involving prohibited sexual conduct. U.S.S.G. § 4B1.5(b)(1). Nonetheless, because a total
offense level of more than 43 is treated as an offense level of 43 for the advisory guidelines
range, Sarras’s total offense level stayed at 43. U.S.S.G. ch. 5, pt. A, cmt. n.2.

29
5G1.2(d). Section 5G1.2, entitled “Sentencing on Multiple Counts of Conviction,”

provides that “[i]f the sentence imposed on the count carrying the highest statutory

maximum is less than the total punishment, then the sentence imposed on one or

more of the other counts shall run consecutively, but only to the extent necessary to

produce a combined sentence equal to the total punishment.” Id. Here the “total

punishment” under the sentencing guidelines called for life imprisonment. See

U.S.S.G. § 5G1.2 cmt. n.1.21 Yet, the statutory maximum for the count with the

highest maximum (Counts I–III) was 30 years. Because the statutory maximum

was less than the total guidelines punishment of life imprisonment, § 5G1.2(d) of

21
The guidelines commentary explains what constitutes “total punishment” and “the
procedure for determining the specific sentence to be imposed on each count in a multiple-count
case,” as follows:
The combined length of the sentences (“total punishment”) is determined by the
court after determining the adjusted combined offense level and the Criminal History
Category. Except as otherwise required by subsection (e) or any other law, the total
punishment is to be imposed on each count and the sentences on all counts are to be
imposed to run concurrently to the extent allowed by the statutory maximum
sentence of imprisonment for each count of conviction.
This section applies to multiple counts of conviction (1) contained in the same
indictment or information, or (2) contained in different indictments or informations
for which sentences are to be imposed at the same time or in a consolidated
proceeding.
Usually, at least one of the counts will have a statutory maximum adequate to permit
imposition of the total punishment as the sentence on that count. The sentence on
each of the other counts will then be set at the lesser of the total punishment and the
applicable statutory maximum, and be made to run concurrently with all or part of
the longest sentence. If no count carries an adequate statutory maximum, consecutive
sentences are to be imposed to the extent necessary to achieve the total punishment.
U.S.S.G. § 5G1.2, cmt. n.1. “The commentary and application notes of the Sentencing
Guidelines are authoritative, unless they are plainly erroneous, inconsistent with the regulation
they interpret, or contrary to the Constitution or federal law.” United States v. Smith, No. 08-
13215, 2009 WL 1374590, at *3 n.1 (11th Cir. May 19, 2009) (citing Stinson v. United States,
508 U.S. 36, 45 (1993); United States v. Torrealba, 339 F.3d 1238, 1242 (11th Cir. 2003)).

30
the guidelines called for the sentences for multiple counts to run consecutively as

the advisory guidelines sentence. See id.; United States v. Davis, 329 F.3d 1250,

1253–54 (11th Cir. 2003) (interpreting § 5G1.2(d) to call for consecutive sentences

as the guidelines sentence).22 Accordingly, the PSI stated that Sarras’s advisory

guidelines range became 1,200 months (i.e., 30 + 30 + 30 + 10 = 100 years).

Sarras filed numerous written objections to the PSI’s calculations, including

the two-level enhancement for obstruction of justice. Sarras also argued that the 18

U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors required the least severe sentence possible. Sarras

renewed his objections at sentencing.

At sentencing, the district court adopted the PSI’s factual statements and

guidelines calculations and determined that Sarras’s advisory guidelines sentence

was 1,200 months. The court rejected Sarras’s claim that Counts I, II, and III

should be grouped under § 3D1.2 and overruled Sarras’s objections to the PSI’s

calculations. The court found that the government proved obstruction of justice

and the PSI properly applied the two-level obstruction-of-justice enhancement.

The court sentenced Sarras to “360 months on each of counts one, two, and three;

and [a] term of 120 months on count four. All such terms to run consecutive.”

22
In Davis, this Court interpreted § 5G1.2(d) to require consecutive sentences. The issue
was whether, despite § 5G1.2(d), the district court retained ultimate discretion to impose
concurrent terms under its sentencing authority in 18 U.S.C. § 3584. 329 F.3d 1253–54 (11th
Cir. 2003). Although the guidelines are now advisory, the district court is still required to
properly calculate the guidelines range. And, under § 5G1.2(d), Sarras’s guidelines range calls
for consecutive sentences.

31
The court explained that it had “imposed the selected sentence after considering the

advisory sentencing guidelines, the minimum mandatory sentence required by

statute, and all the factors identified in Title 18 United States Code Sections

3553(a) 1 through 7.” The court found that the guidelines sentence of 1,200

months was sufficient but not greater than necessary to fulfill the purposes of

sentencing. The court further stated:

Among the factors that [this] Court has considered are the despicable
offense that [Sarras] committed, and the fact that the victim will
probably, even with counseling, never fully recover from this.
[Sarras’s] lack of remorse is also a basis for the Court imposing a
guideline sentence in this case. I see no reason to depart below the
guideline in any event.

Sarras objected to the sentences on several grounds, including “on procedural

grounds as well as a violation of Booker.”23

II. DISCUSSION

On appeal, Sarras challenges seven evidentiary rulings and raises several

sentencing claims. We review each in turn.

A. Dr. Ferdon

Sarras contends that the district court improperly limited Dr. Ferdon’s

testimony.24 Sarras argues that Dr. Ferdon would have testified that (1) Sarras’s

23
United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S. Ct. 738 (2005).
24
We generally review a district court’s evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion.
United States v. Massey, 89 F.3d 1433, 1441 (11th Cir. 1996). Whether the exclusion of
evidence violated a constitutional guarantee is a legal question reviewed de novo. See United
States v. Underwood, 446 F.3d 1340, 1345 (11th Cir. 2006).

32
erect “penis has a several millimeter mole on the proximal right shaft dorso-

laterally at approximately the 2:00 [position],” (2) “[t]his mole is not seen on the

penis in any of the [laptop] photographs,” (3) “[t]his mole would most certainly

have been visible in the [laptop] photographs,” (4) “the position and lengths of the

visible dorsal vein and other superficial veins on the shaft of Mr. Sarras’ penis are

different from those of the penis in the [laptop] photographs,” and (5) the penis in

the laptop photos was not Sarras’s penis.

Sarras’s arguments fail because the trial transcripts reveal that Dr. Ferdon

effectively testified to the substance of these matters at trial. As to the mole, it was

undisputed that the laptop photos show no mole on the top of the penis and that

Sarras has a mole on his penis. As to the location of Sarras’s mole, Dr. Ferdon

testified that he examined Sarras’s erect penis and the mole “is in the dorsolateral,

meaning towards the top, towards the side but in – between the direct side and the

actual top.” He essentially testified that, in terms of a clock, Sarras’s mole was

visible at 10 o’clock when standing directly in front of and looking back at Sarras’s

penis and at 2 o’clock when looking from Sarras’s perspective out from Sarras’s

body.

Dr. Ferdon further testified that he examined the defense photos (which

showed the mole on the top of Sarras’s erect penis) and determined that the penis

appeared to be in the neutral position and not rotated by Sarras. By contrast, Dr.

33
Ferdon testified that, in the government photos, Dr. Jablonski appeared to be

pulling Sarras’s penis down and to the right, which would have pulled the mole to

the bottom of the penis. Dr. Ferdon also testified about the dorsal vein and that,

when he examined Sarras, the veins in Sarras’s penis were in the same positions as

the veins in the defense photos. Thus, the jury heard from Dr. Ferdon that the

defense photos (that showed the mole) were accurate but that Dr. Jablonski

manipulated the government photos (that did not show the mole).

Dr. Ferdon further testified that he examined Sarras’s penis, that it was

uncircumcised, and that he examined the laptop photos. In his medical opinion,

two of the laptop photos showed a penis that, unlike Sarras’s, was “clearly

completely circumcised.” Three of the laptop photos showed a penis that

“appear[ed] to be” or “apparently” was circumcised. One of the laptop photos

showed a penis he “would say [was] circumcised.” The clear import of Dr.

Ferdon’s testimony was that he had examined Sarras’s erect penis and Sarras,

having an uncircumcised penis with a mole at the 2 o’clock position in the accurate

defense photos, could not have been the male in the laptop photos, where the penis

is circumcised and no mole is visible.

Given the nature and extent of Dr. Ferdon’s admitted testimony, Sarras’s

real complaint on appeal is that Dr. Ferdon was not allowed to issue an

identification opinion concluding that, based on a comparison of the veins in the

34
laptop and defense photos, Sarras is not the person in the laptop photos. What

happened in the district court materially informs this issue. In the district court, the

government’s motion in limine argued that Ferdon’s vein comparison as an

identification methodology was unreliable under Daubert. The government’s

motion stated that “[t]here is no peer reviewed literature, text book, medical

science or other scientific body of data on which the opinion is based, and there is

no indication that ‘vein-mapping’ as a means of identification is generally accepted

in the medical or scientific community, has been tested, or has been subjected to

peer review or publication.” The government claimed that Dr. Ferdon’s vein-

comparison methodology was unreliable because, inter alia, “the degree to which

the veins in a male’s genitalia are enlarged and visible depends on blood flow and

degree of arousal, among other things.”

Sarras’s response in the district court addressed neither argument. Rather,

Sarras responded that Dr. Ferdon had examined 15,000 penises, specialized in

erectile dysfunction, and was qualified to give an opinion that it was not Sarras in

the laptop photos. The district court then concluded that Sarras had not shown that

Dr. Ferdon’s vein-comparison methodology was a reliable identification technique

under Daubert.

On appeal, Sarras contends that (1) the jury was not equally capable of

visually comparing the veins in the photos of Sarras’s penis to those in the penis in

35
the laptop photos and (2) Dr. Ferdon had specialized knowledge warranting his

giving an identification opinion about whether Sarras was the person in the laptop

photos. See Fed. R. Evid. 702 (stating that the trial court may permit expert

testimony when “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist

the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue”). In

other words, the issue is whether the jury was equally capable of comparing the

penises in the photos, or whether expert testimony was permissible to identify the

person in the laptop photos. That is a close issue. But we need not decide it

because, in any event, the district court did not abuse its discretion in its Daubert

ruling that Sarras had not established that Dr. Ferdon’s methodology—comparing

veins in erect penises—was a reliable identification methodology. See United

States v. Frazier, 387 F.3d 1244, 1260 (11th Cir. 2004) (en banc) (“The proponent

of expert testimony always bears the burden to show that his expert is qualified to

testify competently regarding the matters he intend[ed] to address; [] the

methodology by which the expert reach[ed] his conclusions is sufficiently reliable;

and [] the testimony assists the trier of fact.” (alterations in original) (quotation

marks omitted)).

Notably, Sarras fails to distinguish between the doctor’s qualifications to

testify about penises and the method by which the doctor reaches his conclusion.

The district court did not rule Dr. Ferdon was unqualified to testify about penises.

36
Rather, the court ruled that Sarras had not shown that the doctor’s

methodology—comparing veins in erect penises—was a sufficiently reliable

identification technique for Dr. Ferdon to opine that Sarras was not the person in

the laptop photos. In fact, no record evidence explains the so-called methodology

of comparing veins in erect penises as an identification technique. Perhaps blood

flow or degree of arousal has no visual effect on the veins in penises. Who knows?

The record is silent. Sarras thus has not shown error, much less reversible error, in

the district court’s Daubert ruling as to Dr. Ferdon’s methodology. See United

States v. Brown, 415 F.3d 1257, 1264–66 (11th Cir. 2005) (explaining the limited

nature of appellate review of Daubert issues, “why it is difficult to persuade a court

of appeals to reverse a district court’s judgment on Daubert grounds,” and that

“[w]hat is true about the review of evidentiary issues in general applies with equal

or even greater force to Daubert issues in particular, an area where the abuse of

discretion standard thrives”).

B. Rehman

Sarras next argues, given that only pictures of E.M. were found on Sarras’s

computer, the district court erred by not allowing Rehman to give an expert

opinion that child pornography cases generally involve multiple images of multiple

children. The jury heard several times, and indeed it was undisputed, that no other

child pornography was found on any of Sarras’s computers.

37
 The parties first disagree as to whether Rehman was qualified as an expert in

this regard. We need not decide that thorny question either because Rehman’s

testimony would have been cumulative. Perhaps the district court said it best when

it told Sarras, “Everything you have said to me you can argue . . . based on the

evidence that’s already there.” Two government witnesses—Officers Ortiz and

Zabik—already had covered these same points.

Specifically, Officer Ortiz testified that, based on her “training and

experience as a sexual crime and child abuse investigator,” it is very common in

cases involving child pornography to find other photos of child pornography.

Officer Ortiz also stated that investigators found no other pornographic photos in

Sarras’s home or on his computer. Additionally, Officer Zabik testified that, out of

the millions of files on Sarras’s computers, the folder containing the images of

E.M. was the only child pornography that he found. Importantly, Officer Zabik

added that this was his only child pornography case that did not involve more than

one set of images or more than one child. Officer Zabik further explained that he

did not find that Sarras conducted any internet searches for child pornography.

If anything, this evidence had more impact coming from the government’s

witnesses. And, in closing, Sarras argued that child pornography cases usually

involve multiple images of multiple children and he had no such images. The

exclusion of Rehman’s testimony did not eliminate, or materially impinge upon,

38
Sarras’s ability to argue that he did not fit the profile of the average offender.

Rehman’s testimony was cumulative, and Sarras has not demonstrated prejudice or

reversible error. See Frazier, 387 F.3d at 1266 n.20 (explaining that evidentiary

ruling can be reversible error only if it prejudices substantial rights).

C. Limitation on Cross of E.M.

Notwithstanding the federal rape-shield law, Sarras contends that the district

court erred in refusing to permit Sarras to ask E.M. questions about a post-abuse

sexual relationship with her boyfriend. Federal Rule of Evidence 412 provides

that, subject to narrow exceptions, “[e]vidence offered to prove that any alleged

victim engaged in other sexual behavior” or “to prove any alleged victim’s sexual

predisposition” is not admissible in any criminal proceeding involving alleged

sexual misconduct.25 Rule 412(b)(1) allows such evidence to be admitted when its

“exclusion . . . would violate the constitutional rights of the defendant.”

At trial, Sarras contended that E.M.’s testimony that she was traumatized by

the sexual abuse opened the door to questions about her sexual history.26 Sarras

25
According to the Advisory Committee Notes:
The rule aims to safeguard the alleged victim against the invasion of privacy,
potential embarrassment and sexual stereotyping that is associated with public
disclosure of intimate sexual details and the infusion of sexual innuendo into the
factfinding process. By affording victims protection in most instances, the rule
also encourages victims of sexual misconduct to institute and to participate in
legal proceedings against alleged offenders.
Fed. R. Evid. 412, Advisory Committee Notes, 1994 Amendments.
26
However, under Rule 412(c)(1), a defendant seeking to invoke the exception must file a
written motion at least fourteen days before trial describing the evidence and stating the purpose
for which it is offered. Sarras did not file a motion fourteen days before trial. In response to the

39
claims broadly that the district court’s limitation “left the jury with the false

impression that E.M. was traumatized by the sexual activity and had not been

photographed nude, although E.M. admitted to police that she engaged in explicit

sexual activities with her boyfriend.”27

Again, we conclude the district court did not err. First, as the district court

aptly recognized, victims of sexual abuse can be traumatized whether or not they

have had other sexual relations.

Second, we reject Sarras’s argument that E.M.’s sexual relationship with her

boyfriend shows that Sarras did not abuse her. The laptop photos show sexual

abuse of E.M. The only issue is the identity of the male in the photos. That E.M.

had a sexual relationship with her boyfriend is irrelevant to the identity of the adult

male in these photos. It is equally irrelevant to whether Sarras knowingly

possessed the materials found on his laptop computer.

Third, the district court afforded Sarras a constitutionally adequate

opportunity to attempt to impeach E.M. Sarras questioned E.M. about her possible

motives for framing him; her access to the camera; his house and computers; her

knowledge of computers; her anger over Sarras’s restrictions against her dating and

government’s motion in limine, Sarras indicated that he only intended to raise the subject if the
government opened the door on direct.
27
Nothing in the record supports Sarras’s implication that E.M. had other photos taken of
herself naked. E.M. testified that Sarras was the only person to have photographed her naked
and that she was clothed in the photos of herself that she posted on her MySpace page.

40
watching MTV; and the inconsistencies between her interview with Officer Ortiz

and the facts developed at both trials. Simply put, Sarras has not met his burden of

demonstrating that the district court’s application of Rule 412 violated a

constitutional guarantee. See Frazier, 387 F.3d at 1271 (“While the Constitution

unquestionably provides a defendant with the right to be heard, this right is not

unbounded. Thus, ‘[t]he accused does not have an unfettered right to offer

testimony that is incompetent, privileged, or otherwise inadmissible under standard

rules of evidence.’” (alteration in original) (quoting Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S.

400, 410, 108 S. Ct. 646, 653 (1988))).

D. Police Officers

Sarras claims the district court abused its discretion by refusing to allow him

to cross-examine law enforcement officers about the Sheriff’s Office’s financial

interest in the forfeiture of Sarras’s house.28 Sarras argues that “the jury should

have been allowed to learn that the Seminole County Sheriff’s office—the agency

these witnesses worked for—stood to gain a significant amount of money should

Mr. Sarras be convicted and the forfeiture be successful.”29

28
At the start of the first trial, Sarras’s counsel asked the district court if he would be
allowed to cross-examine police officers, particularly Officer Ortiz, about the seizure of Sarras’s
home. The district court sustained the government’s objection. The parties dispute whether
there was an understanding that this ruling carried over to the second trial. We need not resolve
that issue as there is no error in either event.
29
Apparently, the Sheriff’s Office would receive 25% of the money from the forfeiture of
Sarras’s home. The parties do not tell us what the mortgage, if any, was on the home or what the
estimated forfeiture sum would be.

41
 “The extent to which a witness may be cross-examined for the purposes of

showing bias rests on the sound discretion of the trial judge.” Howell v. Am. Live

Stock Ins. Co., 483 F.2d 1354, 1357 (5th Cir. 1973).30 “The task of the trial judge

is to balance the probative value of the evidence sought to be introduced against

the risks its admission may entail.” Id. (explaining that “[t]he potential risks may

include . . . the possibility of misleading or confusing the jury”); see United States

v. Novaton, 271 F.3d 968, 1006 (11th Cir. 2001) (stating that “a defendant is only

entitled to cross-examine a witness if “the information sought to be elicited [is]

relevant” (alteration in original) (citations and quotation marks omitted)). In

Howell, we concluded that the trial court properly limited the impeachment of a

witness because of “[t]he possibility that the trial would become involved in a

lengthy wrangle over a side issue.” 483 F.2d at 1358. “[W]hile we [were] not

prepared to say that we [found] the proferred evidence wholly irrelevant, . . . we

[were] unable to say that the district judge roamed beyond the bounds of his

discretion in ruling as he did.” Id.

In this case, the district court likewise did not abuse its discretion. First,

Sarras proffered no evidence showing any officer-witness had a direct or personal

financial interest in the case. In fact, the officers’ alleged interest in the case is best

described as just the opposite: indirect, impersonal, and tenuous. This case is about

30
This Court adopted as binding precedent all Fifth Circuit decisions prior to October 1,
1981. Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. 1981) (en banc).

42
child pornography—not forfeiture. To suggest that the officers were biased

because the Sheriff’s Office that employed them may have benefitted from a

forfeiture is rank speculation. Such testimony had little, if any, probative value as

to bias. Rather, such testimony had the potential to confuse the jury and distract it

from the central issues, warranting the district court’s exclusion.

Sarras’s reliance on United States v. Williams, 954 F.2d 668, 672 (11th Cir.

1992), is misplaced. That case involved a witness with a direct, personal, and

substantial financial interest in the case. In Williams, the district court allowed the

government informant to testify about how long he was a paid informant, the

percentage (25%) he received of the seized assets, and the amount of money he

was paid in that case. Id. at 671. However, the district court excluded testimony

detailing the total amount of money the informant had received for his work as an

informant because the sum was “outrageous” and therefore prejudicial. Id. at 671,

672 n.3. That evidence included the fact that the informant had received $450,000

in reward money, including 25% of a $1,258,000 seizure (i.e. $314,500). We

reversed, stating that the district court erred in excluding this evidence because

“[t]he jury has the right to know what may be motivating a witness, especially a

government paid, regularly employed, informant-witness.” Id. at 672. We noted

that “large and outrageous payments may be just the kind that are of the most help

to the jury in arriving at the truth.” Id. In reversing, this Court also emphasized

43
that “at trial, the informant testified that he did not expect to receive twenty-five

percent of the possible $7.2 million involved in the transaction, which somewhat

misled the jury in calculating his compensation.” Id.

Here, the law enforcement officers did not have a direct or personal financial

interest in this case. If anything, Williams shows that the district court did not

abuse its discretion by refusing to allow defense cross-examination of the officers

as to the forfeiture.

E. Production of Computers, Camera, and Medical Records

Sarras next argues that the district court erred by denying his motion to

require the government to produce E.M.’s and her mother’s computers and camera

and certain medical records of tests performed on E.M. in May 2007.31

We disagree. None of these items was in the government’s possession or

control. It is well-settled that the government must permit a defendant to inspect

tangible items within its “possession, custody, or control” if they are material to the

defense, the government intends to use them in its case-in-chief, or they were

obtained from the defendant. Fed. R. Crim. P. 16(a)(1)(E).32 But the government

31
As to the computers, Sarras argues that he needed to examine them to show that a
connection between E.M.’s computers and Sarras’s computers existed and the laptop photos
were transferred to his computers through this connection. Sarras claims to have needed the
medical records “to rebut E.M.’s testimony that Mr. Sarras sexually abused her.”
32
Rule 16(a)(1)(E), Fed. R. Crim. P. provides:
Documents and Objects. Upon a defendant's request, the government must permit
the defendant to inspect and to copy or photograph books, papers, documents,
data, photographs, tangible objects, buildings or places, or copies or portions of

44
does not have a duty to disclose items it does not possess. See, e.g., United States

v. Cannington, 729 F.2d 702, 711–12 (11th Cir. 1984). Nor does it have a duty to

obtain evidence it does not possess. See, e.g., United States v. Luis-Gonzalez, 719

F.2d 1539, 1548 (11th Cir. 1983). None of these items was in the government’s

possession, custody, or control. E.M.’s and her mother’s computers and camera

were in the possession and control of E.M. and her mother, and the medical records

were in the possession and control of the Kid’s House of Seminole County.33

Sarras could have followed the subpoena duces tecum procedures, pursuant to Fed.

R. Crim. P. 17(c), for obtaining evidence from third parties, but he did not. It was

not the government’s responsibility to track down third-party evidence for Sarras.

This claim fails.

F. Dr. Jablonski

Sarras also asserts that the district court erred in allowing Dr. Jablonksi to

speculate that Sarras manipulated his penis in the defense photos and in permitting

him to testify as to the location of the mole on Sarras’s penis. Sarras argues that

any of these items, if the item is within the government's possession, custody, or
control and:
(I) the item is material to preparing the defense;
(ii) the government intends to use the item in its case-in-chief at trial; or
(iii) the item was obtained from or belongs to the defendant.
Fed. R. Crim. P. 16(a)(1)(E) (emphasis added).
33
Although the government initially listed Laura Phipps, a physician’s assistant with
Kid’s House of Seminole County, as a potential expert witness at trial, the government later
advised the magistrate judge that it would not call Phipps as a witness in its case-in-chief.

45
Dr. Jablonski’s opinion lacked foundation and “was drawn from thin air.” 34

This claim lacks merit too. First, Dr. Jablonski is an expert in urology and

based his opinion on his personal examination and firsthand knowledge of what

Sarras’s penis actually looked like. Indeed, Sarras’s criticism applies with equal

force to the testimony of his own witness. That is, Sarras conveniently ignores the

fact that before Dr. Jablonski testified, Sarras’s expert, Dr. Ferdon, testified that

Sarras’s penis had not been rotated in the defense photos. Although Sarras

emphasizes that Dr. Jablonski was not present when the defense photos were taken,

Dr. Ferdon also was not present. Moreover, Dr. Ferdon testified that Dr. Jablonski

had rotated Sarras’s penis down and to the right in the government photos even

though Dr. Ferdon was not present when the government photos were taken.

In short, both doctors based their respective opinions about manipulation

and rotation on their personal observations of Sarras’s penis and the assumption

that the defense and government photos were of Sarras’s penis. The district court

did not abuse its discretion in permitting the government to call its own expert (Dr.

Jablonksi) to rebut Sarras’s expert (Dr. Ferdon).35

34
The government argues that Sarras did not properly preserve this issue, triggering plain
error review, but we need not resolve that issue as the claim so clearly lacks merit.
35
Sarras also suggests that the government photos should not have been admitted because
they were not the product of reliable principles or methods. See Fed. R. Evid. 702; Kumho Tire
Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 119 S. Ct. 1167 (1999). Because Sarras offers no facts to
support this bare allegation, other than the blanket assertion that the government photos were
“manufactured evidence,” we reject his argument.
Because we easily conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing

46
G. Officer Ortiz

Sarras claims two errors occurred as to Officer Ortiz’s testimony. Sarras’s

first claim is that the district court erred in permitting Ortiz to testify that she

believed E.M. when she initially reported the abuse. However, it was Sarras who

asked Ortiz the question in this regard. Sarras asked, “You assumed that what she

said was true, and you had it made up in your mind when you went to his

home. . . . Correct?” Ortiz responded, “What – I believed my victim when she told

me what happened to her.”

Sarras concedes that he did not object to Ortiz’s response. Normally, we

would review such a claim for plain error. But because Sarras’s claimed error is

“invited error,” it is thus unreviewable. Sarras elicited Ortiz’s testimony that she

believed E.M. He wanted the jury to believe that Ortiz conducted an inadequate

investigation based on her flawed belief that E.M. was telling the truth and Sarras

was guilty. Because Sarras’s question elicited the very testimony about which he

now complains, he is entitled to no relief. See United States v. Baker, 432 F.3d

1189, 1215–16 (11th Cir. 2005) (“[A] defendant can ‘invite’ non-responsive

testimony when he insists on pursuing a line of questioning after it becomes

Dr. Jablonski to testify, we choose not to address the government’s argument that Sarras did not
properly preserve the issue for appeal by renewing his objection once Dr. Jablonski took the
stand. We also find no merit in, and no need to discuss, Sarras’s argument that “the twisted,
torturous manipulation of Mr. Sarras’ penis was patently unreasonable” to the point that it
violated Sarras’s due process rights under Rochin v. California, 342 U.S. 165, 72 S. Ct. 205
(1952).

47
apparent that further cross-examination will elicit potentially damaging testimony,

and fails to object to the non-responsive answer when it is given.”); United States

v. Silvestri, 409 F.3d 1311, 1327–28 (11th Cir. 2005) (“Where invited error exists,

it precludes a court from invoking the plain error rule and reversing.”); United

States v. Jernigan, 341 F.3d 1273, 1289–90 (11th Cir. 2003) (where injection of

allegedly inadmissible evidence is attributable to defense, defendant may not claim

on appeal that its introduction constitutes reversible error); United States v. Parikh,

858 F.2d 688, 695 (11th Cir. 1988) (holding that admission of improper testimony

“when [government witness was] responding to an inquiry by defense counsel,

creates ‘invited error’”).

Sarras’s second claim about Ortiz is that the district court erred in permitting

her to testify, over Sarras’s objection, that it is not unusual for a thirteen-year-old

child to fail to remember the exact times and dates of the abuse. The government

concedes that Officer Ortiz was not qualified as an expert but argues that her

testimony about children’s memories was lay, not expert, testimony.

Rule 701 permits a lay witness to provide opinion testimony if the opinion

(1) is “rationally based on the perception of the witness,” (2) “helpful to a clear

understanding of the witness’ testimony or the determination of a fact in issue,”

and (3) “not based on scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within

the scope of Rule 702.” Fed. R. Evid. 701; compare Fed. R. Evid. 702 (reserving

48
for expert witnesses testimony based on “scientific, technical, or other specialized

knowledge”). The government argues that Officer Ortiz’s testimony is lay opinion

because it is not based on scientific or specialized knowledge within the realm of

an expert but rather on “particular knowledge gained by virtue of her position and

repeated exposure to victims of sexual abuse.” See United States v. LeCroy, 441

F.3d 914, 927 (11th Cir. 2006) (concluding that a police officer’s testimony that “a

blood stain on the back of [the victim’s] shirt appeared to have been made by

someone wiping a bloody knife off on the shirt” was a layperson observation that

was admissible under Rule 701); United States v. Tinoco, 304 F.3d 1088, 1119

(11th Cir. 2002) (stating that an agent’s characterization of defendant’s boat as

“go-fast” boat was proper lay opinion testimony because it was based on personal

observation as well as past experience).

In response, Sarras argues this type of memory evidence is usually provided

by a mental health professional and is precisely the “specialized knowledge”

contemplated by Rule 702. See Frazier, 387 F.3d at 1260–61 (“[E]xperience in a

field may offer another path to expert status.”).

Sarras also points out that Officer Ortiz gave her victim-memory opinion

without any evidence of how long she had been a sex crimes investigator, how

many cases she had handled, how many involved minors, or what training she had

as to sex crime victims. See id. at 1261 (“[I]f the witness is relying solely or

49
primarily on experience, then the witness must explain how that experience leads

to the conclusion reached, why that experience is a sufficient basis for the opinion,

and how that experience is reliably applied to the facts.” (quotation marks and

brackets omitted)). We agree with Sarras that the government did not seek to

qualify Officer Ortiz as an expert but offered her opinion testimony on this issue as

a lay witness. And her opinion testimony does seem more like that of an expert

with specialized knowledge.36

Nonetheless, we conclude that any potential error in admitting Officer

Ortiz’s brief testimony about victims’ forgetfulness was harmless error. See

United States v. Henderson, 409 F.3d 1293, 1300 (11th Cir. 2005) (when judge

erroneously admits evidence in criminal prosecution, question is whether error had

substantial influence on outcome of case or left grave doubt as to whether it

affected outcome of case). In this case, the key issue involved identifying the

abuser, not pinpointing precisely when the abuse occurred. Moreover, the forensic

expert testified about the October dates on the camera. The red wristband E.M.

wore in some pictures was consistent with those October dates.

We recognize that Sarras contends that E.M.’s inability to remember the

exact dates of the abuse is evidence that she fabricated the story as part of her

36
Sarras elicited testimony from Ortiz that, based on her experience, it was common in
child pornography cases for there to be internet searches and multiple images. Of course, Sarras
does not complain about a lack of foundation for this testimony.

50
mother’s grand scheme to frame him. However, Sarras had ample opportunity to

develop this theme at trial. Although the photos were deleted from his computer

immediately after the recorded call, Sarras called an expert to testify that the date

applet on his laptop had been accessed on May 6, within twenty-four hours of E.M.

reporting the abuse to the police on May 7. He repeatedly questioned witnesses

about the interconnectivity between his and E.M.’s and her mother’s computers,

his parental restrictions on E.M., and his financial dealings with E.M.’s mother.

And the laptop photos showed the location of the abuse by depicting the furniture

in them. Sarras developed his “I’ve been framed” theme extensively in both his

opening and closing statements. We have no doubt that this isolated statement by

Officer Ortiz—about a victim’s memory of dates and times—had no impact on the

outcome of the trial.

H. Denial of a Franks Hearing

Sarras contends that the district court abused its discretion by denying his

motion to suppress evidence without first conducting a Franks hearing.37 Sarras

argues that Officer Ortiz made material omissions and falsehoods in her search

37
“Generally, a court’s decision about whether to hold an evidentiary hearing lies within
that court’s sound discretion and will be reviewed only for an abuse of discretion. We have not
stated a precise standard of review for a district court’s denial of a Franks hearing, and other
circuits are split on the issue.” United States v. Arbolaez, 450 F.3d 1283, 1293 (11th Cir. 2006)
(internal citations omitted) (concluding that “[because] . . . the more exacting de novo standard
of review is satisfied here, we need not address the issue further.” (quotation marks omitted)).
As in Arbolaez, we need not decide which standard of review to apply, as we discern no error
under even a de novo standard of review. See United States v. Kapordelis, No. 07-14499, 2009
WL 1508342, at *19–20 (11th Cir. June 1, 2009) (same).

51
warrant affidavit and that this entitled him to a Franks hearing.

“Affidavits supporting arrest warrants are presumptively valid.” See United

States v. Kapordelis, No. 07-14499, 2009 WL 1508342, at *19–20 (11th Cir. June

1, 2009) (citing Franks, 438 U.S. at 171, 98 S. Ct. at 2684). To be entitled to a

Franks hearing, a defendant must make a “substantial preliminary showing that a

false statement knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the

truth, was included by the affiant in the warrant affidavit, and if the allegedly false

statement is necessary to a finding of probable cause.” 438 U.S. at 155–56, 98 S.

Ct. at 2676. “When assessing whether the alleged false statements and omissions

were material, the trial court is to disregard those portions of the affidavit which

the defendant has shown are arguably false and misleading.” Kapordelis, 2009 WL

1508342, at *10 (citing Franks, 438 U.S. at 171–72, 98 U.S. at 2684). “[E]ven

intentional or reckless omissions will invalidate a warrant only if inclusion of the

omitted facts would have prevented a finding of probable cause.” Id. (quoting

Madiwale v. Savaiko, 117 F.3d 1321, 1327 (11th Cir. 1997) (alteration in

original)). “The defendant bears the burden of showing that, ‘absent those

misrepresentations or omissions, probable cause would have been lacking.’” Id.

(quoting Novaton, 271 F.3d at 987).

For several reasons, we conclude that Sarras did not make the requisite

“substantial preliminary showing” to warrant a Franks hearing. First, we agree

52
with the magistrate judge and the district court that Sarras’s “omissions” are

selective characterizations and exaggerations of what E.M. said that did nothing to

strike at the core of the probable cause finding. Rather, the relevant statements by

E.M. were that Sarras had sex with her and took pictures of her. Sarras complains

that the affidavit did not state that, according to the victim, Sarras took pictures on

only one occasion. Whether it was one time or ten times, such conduct is criminal.

And the omission of the fact that E.M. could only estimate the dates on which the

abuse occurred also does not affect the finding of probable cause.

Second, we recognize that Ortiz’s affidavit did not specify that E.M. and her

mother had used the camera before, that E.M. did not know where in the house the

camera was, and that E.M. was unsure but only thought the camera was in Sarras’s

house. Nonetheless, the affidavit accurately represented E.M.’s statement that

Sarras took the pornographic pictures while in his house. It is Sarras’s possession

of the photos, not the camera, that constitutes a crime under Florida statute

§ 827.071(5) (making it a felony to unlawfully possess material known to include

sexual conduct by a child).

Third, although Officer Ortiz’s affidavit did not mention that E.M. had not

seen the pictures of herself or of any other girls, the affidavit demonstrated that

Sarras had taken the photos. Whether E.M. had seen them is irrelevant. Plus, E.M.

claimed that Sarras offered to show her the photos. Fourth, Sarras’s denial during

53
the controlled phone call does not change the finding of probable cause. A self-

serving denial, on its own, does not defeat probable cause. Because Sarras failed

to make a “substantial preliminary showing” that Officer Ortiz made intentional or

reckless misstatements or omissions, the district court did not abuse its discretion

in denying his request for a Franks hearing.

I. Sentencing

The final issue is Sarras’s sentence of 1,200-months’ imprisonment. A

defendant challenging his sentence bears the burden of establishing that it is

unreasonable. United States v. Talley, 431 F.3d 784, 788 (11th Cir. 2005).

We review the reasonableness of a sentence through a two-step process

using a deferential abuse-of-discretion standard. United States v. Pugh, 515 F.3d

1179, 1189–90 (11th Cir. 2008) (relying upon Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38,

, 128 S. Ct. 586, 597 (2007)). First, we look at whether the district court

committed any significant procedural error, such as miscalculating the advisory

guidelines range, treating the guidelines range as mandatory, or failing to consider

the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors. Id. at 1190. In considering the § 3553(a) factors,

the district court need not discuss each of them individually. Rather, “an

acknowledgment by the district court that it has considered the defendant’s

arguments and the factors in section 3553(a) is sufficient under Booker.” Talley,

431 F.3d at 786.

54
 Second, we examine whether the sentence is substantively reasonable.

Pugh, 515 F.3d at 1190. We consider the totality of the circumstances and evaluate

whether the sentence achieves the sentencing purposes stated in § 3553(a). Id. at

1191; Talley, 431 F.3d at 788. A sentence may be substantively unreasonable if a

district court unjustifiably relied on any one § 3553(a) factor, failed to consider

pertinent § 3553(a) factors, selected the sentence arbitrarily, or based the sentence

on impermissible factors. Pugh, 515 F.3d at 1191–92.

Although now advisory, the guidelines are one of the § 3553(a) factors to be

considered by the sentencing judge. See 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(4). This Court has

recognized that “the use of the Guidelines remains central to the sentencing

process” and stated that “ordinarily we would expect a sentence within the

Guidelines range to be reasonable.” Talley, 431 F.3d at 787–88. In fact, the

parties have cited no post-Booker case in our circuit where a sentence within the

advisory guidelines range was held unreasonable.

With this background, we turn to Sarras’s challenges to the reasonableness

of his sentence. As to procedural error, Sarras argues that the district court erred in

calculating the applicable guidelines when it imposed a two-level enhancement to

his offense level based on the court’s finding that Sarras obstructed the

administration of justice.38 The district court found that, despite the burden of

38
U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 allows for a two-level increase in a defendant’s offense level if the
defendant “willfully obstructed or impeded, or attempted to obstruct or impede, the

55
proof being a preponderance of the evidence, the government had established,

beyond a reasonable doubt, that Sarras had manipulated his penis in the defense

photos. The evidence at trial recounted above adequately supports that finding.

Thus, the district court did not err in applying this two-level enhancement.39

Sarras next argues that his ultimate sentence is substantively unreasonable

because the district court was governed solely by the Guidelines, without giving

due consideration to other § 3553(a) factors. The record belies this claim. After

calculating the advisory guidelines range, the district court expressly stated that it

had reviewed the PSI and the parties’ submissions and had considered the advisory

guidelines, the minimum mandatory sentence required by statute, and the § 3553(a)

factors. Further, the court expounded on several of the § 3553(a) factors.

Specifically, the court considered “the despicable offense that [Sarras] committed,”

“the fact that the victim will probably, even with counseling, never fully recover

from this,” and “[Sarras’s] lack of remorse.” The court ultimately stated that it

administration of justice with respect to the investigation . . . of the instant offense of
conviction.” U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1. We review the district court’s findings of fact under U.S.S.G. §
3C1.1 for clear error and the application of the sentencing guidelines to those facts de novo.
United States v. Bagwell, 30 F.3d 1454, 1458 (11th Cir. 1994).
39
In any event, any alleged error in applying the two-level enhancement was harmless
because Sarras’s total offense level would have remained the same. See United States v.
Newsome, 998 F.2d 1571, 1579 (11th Cir. 1993). Sarras’s total adjusted offense level for all
four counts, including the obstruction-of-justice enhancement, was 48. However, a total offense
level of more than 43 is treated as an offense level of 43 pursuant to U.S.S.G. ch. 5, pt. A, cmt.
n.2, and thus the court determined that Sarras’s total offense level was 43. See supra n.20.
Without the two-level enhancement, Sarras’s total adjusted offense level would have been 46,
which the district court still would have been obligated to treat as 43.

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found no reason to depart or vary from the advisory guidelines sentence.

As noted above, we ordinarily expect sentences within the advisory

guidelines range to be reasonable. That is especially true here. Child sex crimes

are among the most egregious and despicable of societal and criminal offenses, and

courts have upheld lengthy sentences in these cases as substantively reasonable.

See United States v. Johnson, 451 F.3d 1239, 1244 (11th Cir. 2006) (upholding as

reasonable a 140-year sentence for abusing and photographing three boys between

the ages of 8 and 16 based on consecutive statutory maximums under 18 U.S.C. §

2251(e) and § 2252A(b)(1)); Kapordelis, 2009 WL 1508342, at *19–20 (upholding

as reasonable a 420-month sentence, which represented an upward variance from

the 262–327-month advisory guidelines range and included 240-month sentences

on counts charging production of child pornography under § 2251(a) and 180-

month consecutive sentences on counts charging receipt of child pornography

under § 2252(A)(a)(2)(A)); United States v. Huffstatler, 561 F.3d 694, 698 (7th

Cir. 2009) (upholding as reasonable an above-guidelines, 450-month sentence for

producing pornographic pictures of a 14-year-old boy); United States v. Raplinger,

555 F.3d 687, 695 (8th Cir. 2009) (upholding as reasonable a 457-month sentence

for photographing and having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl), petition

for cert. filed, (U.S. May 12, 2009) (No. 08-10385); United States v. Betcher, 534

F.3d 820, 827–28 (8th Cir. 2008) (upholding as reasonable a 750-year sentence for

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a first-time offender who had taken pornographic pictures of five 8- to 11-year-old

girls, including two of his granddaughters), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 962 (2009);

United States v. Vowell, 516 F.3d 503, 511–13 (6th Cir. 2008) (upholding as

reasonable a 780-month sentence for a 40-year-old man who had sexual

intercourse with his girlfriend’s 8-year-old daughter while being videotaped by his

girlfriend); see also United States v. Paton, 535 F.3d 829, 837–38 (8th Cir. 2008)

(concluding that life sentence for five counts of production of child pornography

was not cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment);

Pugh, 515 F.3d at 1202 (“[W]e have typically treated child sex offenses as serious

crimes, upholding severe sentences in these cases.”). Here, the district court

imposed a sentence that reflects the nature and circumstances of the offense and the

other considerations stated in § 3553(a). Thus, the district court committed no

sentencing error in choosing to impose an advisory guidelines sentence of 1,200

months’ imprisonment in this case.

III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm Sarras’s convictions and sentences.

AFFIRMED.

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