Opinion ID: 2775112
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Unauthorized Access Devices

Text: Count One charges a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1029(a)(3), possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices. Section 1029(a)(3) prohibits possessing, “knowingly and with intent to defraud[,] . . . fifteen or more devices which are counterfeit or unauthorized access devices . . . if the offense affects interstate or foreign commerce.” The statute defines “unauthorized access device” as “any access device that is lost, stolen, expired, revoked, canceled, or obtained with intent to defraud.” 18 U.S.C. § 1029(e)(3). Counts Two through Six charge a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1), aggravated identity theft. Section 1028A provides that “[w]hoever, during and in relation to,” inter alia, the felony of 32 Case: 13-13232 Date Filed: 01/30/2015 Page: 33 of 44 possessing 15 or more unauthorized access devices, “knowingly transfers, possesses, or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person shall, in addition to the punishment provided for such felony, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 2 years.” 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1), (c)(4). On appeal, Handy does not dispute that social security numbers qualify as access devices or that her offense affected interstate commerce. 12 Handy has not shown error, let alone plain error, in the denial of her motion for judgment of acquittal. Handy argues that the evidence was insufficient to support her convictions under § 1029(a)(3) and § 1028A(a)(1) because the evidence did not establish that her possession of the social security numbers was unauthorized or that she used the social security numbers to file unauthorized tax returns. As to Handy’s § 1029(a)(3) conviction in Count One, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, we conclude that the evidence showed, at the very least, that Handy possessed 17 social security numbers that were obtained with the intent to defraud. See 18 U.S.C. § 1029(e)(3). Specifically, one of the notebooks in Handy’s backpack contained the social security numbers and other personal identifying information of 17 incarcerated individuals, and a reasonable jury could infer from the evidence we have recounted above, including the testimony of Crystal Lambert, that Handy possessed these 12 Section 1029 defines “access device” as, in relevant part, any “personal identification number.” 18 U.S.C. § 1029(e)(1). 33 Case: 13-13232 Date Filed: 01/30/2015 Page: 34 of 44 social security numbers and other information without authorization and with the fraudulent intent to illegally obtain income tax refunds. As to Handy’s § 1028A(a)(1) convictions in Counts Two through Six, this evidence likewise was sufficient for a reasonable jury to infer that Handy used each of the social security numbers charged in Counts Two through Six to file false income tax returns. See 18 U.S.C. § 1028A(a)(1). Finally, the jury could reasonably conclude, based on Lambert’s testimony and the associated prisoner identification numbers, that these social security numbers belonged to other persons.