No. 20-5620

Ivan Soto-Barraza and Jesus Lionel Sanchez-Meza v. United States

Lower Court: Ninth Circuit
Docketed: 2020-09-09
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: consent conspiracy constructive-amendment criminal-procedure extortion hobbs-act jury-instructions robbery
Key Terms:
FifthAmendment Privacy
Latest Conference: 2020-10-09
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Can a conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted interference with commerce by robbery stand if the jury was instructed on the elements of Hobbs Act extortion instead of Hobbs Act robbery, thus fatally amending the indictment?

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTION PRESENTED The Hobbs Act defines extortion, in relevant part, as requiring the wrongful use of violence or fear in order to induce a person to consent to part with property to which the aggressor has no right. 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), (b)(2). In contrast, robbery occurs against the will of the rightful property owner. 18 U.S.C. § 1951(b)(1). This Court has held that the Hobbs Act uses the phrase “with his consent,” to distinguish extortion from robbery, and “consent’ simply signifies the taking of property under circumstances falling short of robbery.” Ocasio v. United States, 136 S. Ct. 1423, 1435 (2016). The question presented, on which the Ninth Circuit conflicts with the plain text of the Hobbs Act and this Court’s holding in Ocasio v. United States is: Can a conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted interference with commerce by robbery stand if the jury was instructed on the elements of Hobbs Act extortion instead of Hobbs Act robbery, thus fatally amending the indictment? i

Docket Entries

2020-10-13
Petition DENIED.
2020-09-17
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/9/2020.
2020-09-14
Waiver of right of respondent United States of America to respond filed.
2020-08-21
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due October 9, 2020)

Attorneys

Ivan Soto-Barraza, et al.
Ramiro S. Flores Jr.Law Office of Ramiro S. Flores, PLLC, Petitioner
Ramiro S. Flores Jr.Law Office of Ramiro S. Flores, PLLC, Petitioner
United States of America
Jeffrey B. WallActing Solicitor General, Respondent
Jeffrey B. WallActing Solicitor General, Respondent