Case ID: f_264/html/0513-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

FRANCIS v. UNITED STATES.
    (Circuit Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit.
    April 6, 1920.)
    No. 3345.
    Prostitution <&wkey;4 — Evidence held to support conviction under White Slave Traffic Act.
    In a prosecution for violation of White Slave Traffic Act June 25, 1910, § 2 (Comp. St. § 8813), by causing a girl to be transported in interstate commerce for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, evidence held sufficient to support conviction.
    
      In Error to the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Tennessee; Edward T. Sanford, Judge.
    Criminal prosecution by the United States against John C. Erancis. Judgment of conviction, and defendant brings error.
    Affirmed.
    J. M. Davis, of Wartburg, Tenn., for plaintiff in error.
    W. T. Kennerly, U. S. Atty., of Knoxville, Tenn.
    Before KNAPPEN, DENISON, and DONAHUE, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM.

Plaintiff in error was convicted upon two counts of an indictment under White Slave Act June 25, 1910, c. 395, 36 Stat. 825 (Comp. St. § 8812 et seq.); the one charging him with procuring and purchasing a railroad ticket for the transportation of a girl about 16 years of age from Rockwood, Tenn., to Cincinnati, Ohio, for the purpose of prostitution and debauchery, the other for persuading and inducing the girl named to be so transported from Oakdale, Tenn., to Cincinnati, Ohio, with the purpose and intent of effecting such prostitution and debauchery. There was no motion to direct verdict, and no exception to the charge. The motion for new trial was denied.

The errors assigned are aimed solely at the sufficiency of the evidence. The criticism is without merit. The evidence was amply sufficient to support conviction, even had there been motion to direct verdict. It is immaterial that, as the evidence indicated, the girl did not participate in the unlawful purpose with which defendant took her to Cincinnati, or, as the record also indicates, that the transaction lacked commercial character. Athanasaw v. United States, 227 U. S. 326, 33 Sup. Ct. 285, 57 L. Ed. 528, Ann. Cas. 1913E, 911; Caminetti v. United States, 242 U. S. 470, 37 Sup. Ct. 192, 61 L. Ed. 442, L. R. A. 1917F, 502, Ann. Cas. 1917B, 1168.

The judgment of the District Court is affirmed.