Mobster, wife indicted in sperm smuggling


http://www.salon.com/mwt/wire/2002/1...ter/index.html

Dec. 4, 2002 | Williamsport, Pa. –

One of five New York mobsters believed to have smuggled their sperm out of a Pennsylvania prison to impregnate their wives has been indicted, along with his wife, on a charge of criminal conspiracy.

Kevin Granato, a convicted hit man for the Colombo crime family, came under suspicion four years ago after he was seen in the visitation room at the Allenwood Federal Prison showing off a toddler he called his child, even though he had been in jail since 1988.

Last week, a federal grand jury indicted Granato, 42, and his wife, Regina Granato, on two counts of criminal conspiracy. Regina Granato, who lives in New York, is also charged with one count of providing a prohibited object -- a cryogenic sperm kit -- to an inmate.

The indictments are the 13th and 14th since October 2000 related to alleged smuggling schemes at the prison. Among those indicted were four guards who pleaded guilty; two were accused of accepting bribes to smuggle the sperm kits.

Prosecutors said Regina Granato conspired to sneak a kit in and out of the prison, then was artificially inseminated.

She could get up to six years in prison if convicted. Kevin Granato, whose current sentence runs until 2012, could get an additional 35 years. He is serving sentences for racketeering and murder.

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Can anyone tell me why this is wrong? Have we the authority or the right to decide who can procreate and who cannot?

Obviously smuggling contraband into a prison is against the law but it seems that the practice not the objects are in question here. Why is this kit considered contraband and should it be allowed?