Supreme Court of the United States
United States v. Sampson
November 19, 1962371 U.S. 75
Summary
The Supreme Court reversed the district court’s dismissal of thirty‑four mail‑fraud counts and the conspiracy count, holding that the indictment sufficiently alleged that the mailed acceptances were used “for the purpose of executing” the fraudulent scheme. The Court reasoned that the scheme was designed to continue after victims’ money was obtained, so the mailings could satisfy the statutory element. Justice Douglas dissented, arguing that the mailings merely lulled victims and should not satisfy the purpose‑of‑execution requirement.
Holding
- Whether the indictment’s allegations were sufficient to permit a jury to find that the mailed acceptances were used "for the purpose of executing" the fraudulent scheme under 18 U.S.C. §1341.. The district court erred; the indictment sufficiently alleged that the mailed acceptances were used for the purpose of executing the scheme and therefore the counts must be reinstated.
- Whether the conspiracy count was a duplicate of the substantive counts and therefore improper to dismiss.. The conspiracy count properly charges a separate offense and its dismissal was erroneous.
Docket 69
Cited authorities
Cited by
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- United States v. Scott B. Miserendino, Sr.
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