Opinion ID: 203232
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Constitutionality of the MDLEA

Text: Once again, we are asked to decide the constitutionality of the jurisdictional element of the MDLEA. See United States v. Gil-Carmona, 497 F.3d 52, 54 (1st Cir. 2007). The MDLEA makes it a crime for any person on board a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a)(1), to knowingly or intentionally manufacture or distribute, or possess with intent to manufacture or distribute, a controlled substance, 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a). A vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States includes a vessel registered in a foreign nation where the flag nation has consented or waived objection to the enforcement of United States law by the United States. Id. at § 70502(c)(1)(C). [5] Although the concurrence feels compelled to resolve this issue, the doctrine of constitutional avoidance requires us to refrain from ruling on the constitutionality of this statute because the posture of this case does not require us to pass upon this issue. [6] I believe we should not reach the merits of the constitutionality of this law because Vilches has not demonstrated that the district court committed plain error. I thus disagree with the reaching of this issue by the concurring opinion by Judges Lynch and Howard and express no opinion at this time on this matter. The standard of review for a defendant's claim that his constitutional rights were violated by congressional removal of an element of a charged offense from the jury's consideration is ordinarily harmless error. See Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 15, 119 S.Ct. 1827, 144 L.Ed.2d 35 (1999). Here, however, we apply plain error because Vilches did not object to the constitutionality of the statute in the district court. See United States v. Brown, 510 F.3d 57, 72 (1st Cir.2007). Under the plain error standard, Vilches must prove (1) an error, (2) that is plain, and (3) that affects substantial rights, United States v. Connolly, 341 F.3d 16, 31 (1st Cir.2003) (quoting United States v. Downs-Moses, 329 F.3d 253, 263 (1st Cir.2003)) (internal quotation marks omitted), and that the error seriously impaired the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Id. (quoting United States v. Matos, 328 F.3d 34, 43 (1st Cir.2003) (internal quotation marks omitted)). Like in Gil-Carmona, the district court record clearly shows that the jury was presented with evidence that the Babouth was subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. At trial, Berkley testified that while the Babouth was apprehended in international waters, he requested and was granted both verbal and written permission, through the USCG, Seventh District, by the Government of Honduras to board and search the Babouth pursuant to the Honduran-U.S. Counter Drugs Operations bilateral agreement. See Certification for the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act Case Involving the Vessel Babouth (Honduras). The MDLEA allows for U.S. officials to conduct searches on foreign flagged vessels with permission of the foreign state. See 46 U.S.C. § 70502(c)(2)(A), (B). [7] The Government presented the district court with documentation containing the Seal of the United States Department of State which stated that the Government of Honduras had granted the United States permission to enforce U.S. law against the Babouth, its cargo, and the people on board. See United States v. Guerrero, 114 F.3d 332, 340 n. 9 (1st Cir. 1997) (We acknowledge that the 1996 amendments to § 1903 provide that the Secretary of State's certification `conclusively' proves a foreign nation's consent.). Vilches did not object to the Government's arguments regarding jurisdiction at trial. His failure to object alone suggests that the asserted error was not plain. Cf. Gil-Carmona, 497 F.3d at 55. In fact, at trial, Vilches had the opportunity to question the Government's presentation with regard to jurisdiction, but he chose merely to question how long it took between the time Berkley saw the Honduran flag and when he received permission to board the vessel. [T]he record establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that jurisdiction over the vessel existed under [§ 70504]. Id. Even if the jury had been expressly presented with the question of jurisdiction, any reasonable jury would have found Vilches guilty. It cannot be said that any error in failing to submit the question of jurisdiction to the jury seriously impaired the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. United States v. Duarte, 246 F.3d 56, 60 (1st Cir.2001); cf. Gil-Carmona, 497 F.3d at 55; Neder, 527 U.S. at 19, 119 S.Ct. 1827. There was no plain error.