Opinion ID: 171619
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Counts 2,3, and 4: false statements involving aircraft parts

Text: Parker argues the government failed to provide sufficient evidence that he aided or abetted, or made or used false statements involving aircraft parts. He was charged under 18 U.S.C. § 38(a)(1)(C), which prohibits making or using a false writing concerning any aircraft part, and with aiding and abetting violations of the same statute under 18 U.S.C. § 2. The three counts involved three specific engines sold by Parker during the conspiracy time-frame: Count 2 for the Wedman engine; Count 3 for the Shoop engine; and Count 4 for the Royall engine. See R., Vol. I. at 19-20; PSR ¶ 21. To obtain a conviction for violating 18 U.S.C. § 38(a)(1)(C), the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that (1) Parker made or used a false writing; (2) he knew the false writing contained a false statement or entry at the time he made or used it; (3) the false writing was material; (4) he made or used the false writing with the intent to defraud; and (5) the false writing concerned aircraft parts in or affecting interstate commerce. See 18 U.S.C. § 38(a); cf. Tenth Cir. Pattern. Crim. Jury Ins. § 2.46.2 (instruction for 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(3)). According to the statute, a false writing can include any entry, certification, document, record, data plate, label, or electronic communication. 18 U.S.C. 38(a). The relevant evidence supporting Parker's conviction on these three counts has been discussed in detail above regarding the conspiracy count. The same evidence supports the jury's conclusion that Parker knowingly, with an intent to defraud, either made or used false writing in connection with airplane partsnamely the logbooks Parker provided to purchasers attesting to the workmanship of the overhauled engines. In short, a reasonable jury could conclude Parker violated 18 U.S.C. § 38(a)(1)(C).