KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A federal appeals panel says a judge in Kansas City exceeded his authority when he ordered a defendant to use contraception during his supervised release.
Christopher J. Harris was sentenced to 15 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm after his arrest in 2013.
U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs noted at sentencing that Harris had 10 children by seven women, and said his conduct was creating a "very serious social problem." Sachs ordered Harris to refrain from "any unprotected sex activities" without the approval of his probation officer.
Harris appealed.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that Sachs' order involved a "greater deprivation of liberty" than necessary, and ordered the court to delete the special condition from the terms of Harris' release from prison.