Opinion ID: 3017003
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Plain Language of the DNA Act

Text: The DNA Act provides in relevant part that individuals on probation who have been convicted of a “qualifying Federal offense” must submit a sample of their DNA to the United States Probation Office. 42 U.S.C. § 14135a(1). Qualifying offenses are defined in subsection (d) as follows: (1) The offenses that shall be treated for purposes of this section as qualifying Federal offenses are the following offenses under Title 18, as determined by the Attorney General: (A) M urder (as described in section 1111 of such title), voluntary manslaughter (as described in section 1112 of such title), or other offense relating to homicide (as described in chapter 51 of such title, sections 1113, 1114, 1116, 1118, 1119, 1120, 5 and 1121). (B) An offense relating to sexual abuse (as described in chapter 109A of such title, sections 2241 through 2245), to sexual exploitation or other abuse of children (as described in chapter 110 of such title, sections 2251 through 2252), or to transportation for illegal sexual activity (as described in chapter 117 of such title, sections 2421, 2422, 2423, and 2425). (C) An offense relating to peonage and slavery (as described in chapter 77 of such title). (D) Kidnapping (as defined in section 3559(c)(2)(E) of such title). (E) An offense involving robbery or burglary (as described in chapter 103 of such title, sections 2111 through 2114, 2116, and 2118 through 2119). (F) Any violation of section 1153 involving murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, maiming, a felony 6 offense relating to sexual abuse (as described in chapter 109A), incest, arson, burglary, or robbery. (G) Any attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses. (2) In addition to the offenses described in paragraph (1), the following offenses shall be treated for purposes of this section as qualifying Federal offenses, as determined by the Attorney General: (A) Any offense listed in section 2332b(g)(5)(B) of Title 18. (B) Any crime of violence (as defined in section 16 of Title 18). (C) Any attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the above offenses. 42 U.S.C. § 14135a(d). The section pertinent on this appeal, § 14135a(d)(1)(E) (“subsection (E)”), lists as qualifying offenses those “involving robbery or burglary (as described in chapter 103 of such title, sections 2111 through 2114, 2116, and 2118 through 2119).” The Government contends that because Cooper violated 18 U.S.C. § 2113(c), her crime falls within the range of statutory sections enumerated parenthetically in subsection 7 (E) and she must therefore submit a DNA sample. Conversely, Cooper contends that subsection (E) only encompasses those offenses in the enumerated sections which involve robbery or burglary. Because possession of stolen bank funds is legally distinguishable from both robbery and burglary,3 Cooper urges that her crime does not “involve” robbery or burglary and therefore falls outside the statute, even though 18 U.S.C. § 2113(c) technically falls within the range of sections enumerated in subsection (E). The Government persuaded the District Court to adopt its interpretation of the statute. In view of the foregoing, we look to canons of statutory construction to inform our judgment as to the statute’s meaning. See Ki Se Lee, 368 F.3d at 222.