Opinion ID: 341674
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Error in the Indictment.

Text: 11 Reece's third contention is that the district court erred in refusing to dismiss count 5 of the indictment because of a variance between the indictment and the Government's proof. Count 5 of the indictment contained a typographical error in a date, alleging that Reece illegally possessed a check on October 1, 1975, instead of October 1, 1974. This argument is frivolous. Reece alleges that the error was significant, but fails to point to any prejudice to his case as a result of the error. Reece does not allege that he was prevented from presenting his defense properly, was unfairly taken by surprise, or was exposed to double jeopardy. See United States v. Good Shield, 515 F.2d 1, 2 (8th Cir. 1975). Moreover, it is established that, 12 as a general rule a variance between the date in the indictment and the proof is not fatal if the proof shows that the acts charged were committed on a date within the statute of limitations and prior to the return date of the indictment, as long as the date was not a material element of the crime charged. (United States v. Joyner, 539 F.2d 1162, 1164-65 (8th Cir. 1976).) 13 The record establishes that the variance as to dates was harmless and did not affect substantial rights of the defendant. See United States v. Frazier, 545 F.2d 71 (8th Cir. 1976). Thus the claims of error relating to the conviction for possessing, forging, and uttering of the United States Treasury checks must be rejected. 14