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United States v. Ressam

553 U.S. 272 (2008)

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United States v. Ressam

United States Supreme Court
553 U.S. 272 (2008)

  • Written by Sharon Feldman, JD

Facts

When attempting to enter the United States, Ahmed Ressam (defendant) provided false information on his customs-declaration form. A customs official searched Ressam’s car and found explosives that Ressam intended to detonate in the United States. Ressam was charged with and convicted of making a false statement to a customs official in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and carrying an explosive “during the commission of any felony which may be prosecuted in a court of the United States” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(2). The Ninth Circuit set aside Ressam’s § 844(h) conviction because it read the word “during” to require that the explosive be carried “in relation to” providing false information to the customs official. The Supreme Court granted the petition for certiorari filed by the government (plaintiff).

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Stevens, J.)

Dissent (Breyer, J.)

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