Opinion ID: 1248280
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Howell's Venue

Text: Howell argues the district court erred in finding the Northern District of Iowa was a proper venue for his prosecution. Howell contends the violation of § 2250 was only perpetrated after Howell moved to Texas and failed to register within three days of that move. Howell concludes the crime was wholly committed in Texas. A defendant has a right under Article III, § 2 of the United States Constitution and the Sixth Amendment to be tried for a crime in the state and district where the crime occurred. See also Fed.R.Crim.P. 18 (Unless a statute or these rules permit otherwise, the government must prosecute an offense in a district where the offense was committed.). A sex offender violates SORNA only when he or she moves between states. Thus, a SORNA violation involves two different jurisdictions. When crimes involve more than one jurisdiction, 18 U.S.C. § 3237 states, (a) Except as otherwise expressly provided by enactment of Congress, any offense against the United States begun in one district and completed in another, or committed in more than one district, may be inquired of and prosecuted in any district in which such offense was begun, continued, or completed. Any offense involving ... transportation in interstate or foreign commerce ... is a continuing offense and, except as otherwise expressly provided by enactment of Congress, may be inquired of and prosecuted in any district from, through, or into which such commerce ... or person moves. In Howell's situation, the Northern District of Iowa is a proper venue because Howell's SORNA violation commenced in the Northern District of Iowa. Howell registered in the Northern District of Iowa after he was released from jail, and he traveled from the Northern District of Iowa when he moved his residence to Texas. Further, Howell failed to notify the Texas sex offender registry of his change in residence, but also failed, as required by law, to notify the Iowa sex offender registry of his move. Thus, Howell's failure to register his move and inform Iowa of his new Texas residence was a material part of the § 2250 violation, and venue is proper in the Northern District of Iowa. [6]