Document: 543 U.S. 209 WHITFIELDv.UNITED STATES No. 03-1293. Supreme Court of United States. Argued November 30, 2004. Decided January 11, 2005.* Petitioners were convicted conspiracy to launder money in violation 18 U. S. C. § 1956(h) after the District denied their request instruct jury that Government was required prove beyond a reasonable doubt at least one co-conspirators had committed an overt act furtherance conspiracy. The Appeals affirmed convictions, holding, relevant part, instructions proper because does not require proof act. Held: Conviction for commit laundering, 1956(h), Pp. 212-219. (a) Section provides: "Any person who conspires any offense defined [§ 1956] or section 1957 shall be subject same penalties as those prescribed commission which object conspiracy." In States v. Shabani, 513 10, this held nearly identical language drug statute, 21 846, Shabani found instructive distinction between 846 and general 371, supersedes common law rule by expressly including overt-act requirement. distilled governing statutes: Nash States, 229 373, Singer 323 338, "`give Congress formulary: choosing text modeled on it gets requirement; Sherman Act, 15 1 [which, like omits express requirement], dispenses with such requirement.'" S., 14. This dictates outcome here well: Because 1956(h)'s make element offense, need obtain conviction. 212-214. (b) Petitioners' argument is inapplicable establish new but merely increases penalty conviction laundering under untenable two reasons: sufficient fails provide cross-reference 371. Had intended create scheme petitioners envision, would have done so clearer terms. plain unambiguous, consider petitioners' provision's legislative history supports construction virtue its failure indicate meant eliminate 371's requirement conspiracies. event, mere silence cannot justify reading into 1956(h). See, e. g., Wells, 519 482, 496-497. particularly inapt presumed knowledge when enacted arguments 1956's structure whole — (1) placed three substantive offenses set forth 1956(a); (2) providing "[a] prosecution [a laundering] ... may brought district where venue lie completed 1956(i)(1)], other took place," 1956(i)(2), confirmed are persuasive. 214-218. 349 F. 3d 1320, affirmed. O'CONNOR, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED COURT OF APPEALS FOR ELEVENTH CIRCUIT. Sharon Samek, appointment Court, post, p. 985, argued cause both cases. With her briefs Thomas Goldstein, Amy Howe, Pamela Karlan, Richard Ware Levitt. Jonathan L. Marcus him brief Acting Solicitor General Clement, Assistant Attorney Wray, Deputy Dreeben, Kirby A. Heller.† JUSTICE O'CONNOR These cases present question whether requires We hold not. 2 * March 1999, federal grand returned 20-count indictment against five codefendants. As here, Count II charged money, described, terms, "manner means" used accomplish objects conspiracy, did charge defendants thereof. 3 At trial, presented evidence members executive board entity known Greater Ministries International Church (GMIC). GMIC operated "gifting" program more than $400 million 1996 1999. Under program, others induced unwary investors give promises receive double back within year half. marketed throughout country, claiming generate returns investors' "gifts" through overseas investments gold diamond mining, commodities, offshore banks. Investors told use some profits philanthropic purposes. Most these claims false. made none promised investments, no assets, gave virtually nothing charity. Many participants GMIC's received little return indeed largely turned out representatives. together allegedly $1.2 commissions they solicited. 4 close evidence, asked court request, verdict guilty charge. 5 Eleventh Circuit approved 1324 (2003). noted sister Circuits taken opposite position. Id., 1323 (citing Wilson, 249 366, 379 (CA5 2001); Hildebrand, 152 756, 762 (CA8 1998)). It concluded, however, decisions erroneously based case interpreting which, unlike includes 3d, 1323. instead relied upon 10 (1994), we "nearly identical," itself compelled follow reasoning holding too, 1323-1324. granted certiorari resolve conflict among presented, 542 918 (2004), now affirm decision below. 6 §§ 1956 (2000 ed. Supp. II) part Money Laundering Control Act 1986, Pub. 99-570, 100 Stat. 3207-18. penalizes knowing intentional transportation transfer monetary proceeds from specified unlawful activities, while addresses transactions involving criminally derived property exceeding $10,000 value. originally enacted, neither included provision. Accordingly, prosecute conspiracies 1957. 1992, provision issue cases, codified See Annunzio-Wylie Anti-Money 102-550, 1530, 106 4066. 7 addressed ibid. ("Any attempts subchapter attempt conspiracy"). not, relying principally our earlier 373 (1913), 338 (1945). supra, 13-14. each that, omitted requiring act, read statute. Singer, 340 (Selective Training Service 1940); Nash, 378 (Sherman Act). 8 explained "follow settled principle statutory absent contrary indications, intends adopt definition Molzof 502 301, 307-308 (1992). consistently understanding `does doing conspiring condition liability.'" 13-14 (quoting 378). concluding statute 371 ("If persons conspire either defraud agency thereof manner purpose, do effect fined title imprisoned years, both" (emphasis added)). 9 statutes follows: "`Nash 14 Sassi, 966 2d 283, 284 (CA7 1992)). instant III argue governed offense; rather, say, words, understand argument, contend must continue provides enhanced Since contains requirement, goes, prosecutions ostensibly principal reasons. First, concede offense. Indeed, indisputably created Second, apparently supply violate 1956(a) But Mere word "conspires" surely enough necessary link separate statutes. short, if 11 seek support history. They indication pre-existing hitherto been say shows only raise 5-year maximum sentence greater maximums available also point "Penalty Conspiracies," Stat., 4066 added). wanted enact "offense" provision, argue, titled accordingly. 12 meaning accept invitation even so, reach conclusion. undisputed increase makes clear precisely establishing Given clarity text, 496-497 (1997) (refusing materiality history); Harrison PPG Industries, Inc., 446 578, 592 (1980) ("[I]t strange canon state committee reports elsewhere deliberations obvious face statute"). Nor find significant chose label "penalty" rather Pennsylvania Dept. Corrections Yeskey, 524 206, 212 (1998) ("`[T]he . limit text'"); Castillo 530 120, 125 (2000) (although "[t]he entirety 924 `Penalties' portion creates, enhancements, entirely crimes"). 13 might add, described Shabani. While decided years articulated established decades Singer. "formulary" predictable guidance Congress. points out, has 22 current statutes, clearly demonstrating knows how impose wishes so. Brief n. statutes). Where chosen will override choice vague ambiguous signals conclude addressing raised relating whole. note subsection (a). drafters contend, own subsection. fail see why should share feature: All crimes. remarkable Congress' place qualitatively different second textual 1956(i) ed., II), added 2001. USA PATRIOT ACT, 107-56, 1004, 115 392. 1956(i)(2) 1957] place." setting place, what (petitioners say) majority view Courts time 1956(i)'s enactment: Moreover, sense 16 several preliminary matter, assume sole prosecutions. Although definitively construe appears permissive exclusive says "may brought" meeting criteria. (Emphasis added.) suggests serves supplement, supplant, default rule: "Unless rules permit otherwise, government committed." Fed. Rule Crim. Proc. 18. For rule, agreement reached satisfy rule. Hyde Shine, 199 62, 76 (1905). 17 assume, sake still fails. authorizes alternative venues prosecutions: accomplished, committed. first option committed, therefore allege properly 1956(i). option, long Socony-Vacuum Oil Co., 310 150, 252 (1940); Trenton Potteries 273 392, 402-404 (1927). light longstanding 1956(i)(2)'s authorization deemed Instead, availability reasons above, judgment 19 ordered. Notes: Together 03-1294,Hall court. &#x2020; Greenberg Joshua Dratel filed National Association Criminal Defense Lawyers amicus curiae urging reversal

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