Opinion ID: 795823
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Attempted Exportation

Text: 15 While [t]o attempt a federal offense is not, of itself, a federal crime, and there is no one general federal statute proscribing all attempts to commit federal offenses, see United States v. York, 578 F.2d 1036, 1038 (5th Cir.1978), it is nevertheless clear that attempted exportation without a license of a defense article on United States Munitions List constitutes a federal crime, namely a violation of 22 U.S.C. § 2778(c). Section 2778(c) provides that [a]ny person who willfully violates any provision of this section or section 2779 of this title, or any rule or regulation issued under either section . . .shall upon conviction be fined for each violation ... or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both (emphasis added), and 22 C.F.R. § 127.1(a)(1), a regulation issued under 22 U.S.C. § 2778, provides (and at all relevant times provided) that It is unlawful: (1) To export or attempt to export from the United States any defense article ... for which a license or written approval is required ... without first obtaining the required license or written approval ... (emphasis added). Indeed, we have on at least two occasions affirmed convictions of violating section 2778 by attempted exportation of defense articles on the United States Munitions List without a license. United States v. Covarrubias, 94 F.3d 172 (5th Cir.1996); United States v. Ortiz-Loya, 777 F.2d 973, 978, 980 (5th Cir.1985). 16 Since such attempted exportation contrary to section 2778 is a federal crime, it is obvious that it is a lesser included offense of actual exportation contrary to section 2778. The elements are the same except that the latter offense requires that the defense articles actually leave the United States. 14 In order to willfully export ammunition in violation of section 2778 one must also attempt to do so; one must willfully attempt to cause with the ammunition to cross the border before succeeding in doing so. Accordingly, under a charge of exportation contrary to section 2778 a defendant may properly be found guilty of attempting to export contrary to section 2778 under the provisions of Rule 31(c) even though attempt is not alleged in the indictment. 15 Under FED.R.CRIM.P. 31(c) a defendant may be found guilty of an attempt to commit a substantive offense, whether or not the attempt was charged in the indictment, provided an attempt is punishable. United States v. Marin, 513 F.2d 974, 976 (2d Cir.1975). See also, e.g., United States v. Brozyna, 571 F.2d 742, 746 (2d Cir.1978) (conviction on indictment alleging acquisition, though proof showed only attempted acquisition, does not violate defendant's right to be tried only on charges presented in an indictment because Rule 31(c) ... permits a conviction for attempt even when the indictment charges only the completed act); United States v. Pino, 608 F.2d 1001, 1003 (4th Cir.1979) (indictment charging distribution of heroin would support conviction on an attempt theory); United States v. Remigio, 767 F.2d 730, 733 (10th Cir.1985) (The crime of attempt is a lesser included offense of the substantive offense and proof of the substantive crime at trial was proof of the lesser included offense of attempt); United States v. Gaskin, 364 F.3d 438, 453 (2d Cir.2004); 2 LAFAVE, SUBSTANTIVE CRIMINAL LAW (2ND ED) § 11.3(c), at 249 (The courts are in general agreement that an attempt conviction may be had on a charge of the completed crime ....). We also have so recognized. See United States v. York, 578 F.2d 1036, 1040 (5th Cir.1978) (attempt is an offense included in the completed crime). When the facts support conviction of a lesser-included offense we can generally modify the judgment to reflect the lesser offense without detrimentally affecting the defendant's rights. 16