United States v. Roy Lee Pittman

Roy Lee Pittman was convicted of a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2312 , transporting in interstate commerce a motor vehicle known to have been stolen. On appeal, he contends that the trial judge committed plain error by his comments to the jury. We affirm.

Early in January, 1969, Pittman negotiated for the purchase of a used ear in Santa Barbara, California. He agreed to furnish insurance, and executed a credit application and a security agreement. The latter required a down payment of $444 on a total purchase price of $2,144.95. Pittman paid $150 toward the down payment and agreed to return by the next morning with the balance. On that condition he was allowed to take the car. He failed to return but kept the car and, on March 16, 1969, was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the vehicle in his possession.

The dealer, hearing no more from Pittman, found that the address given by the buyer was fictitious as was the name of the insurance agency supplied by Pittman. Efforts to locate appellant through his wife were fruitless.

Sufficient evidence was presented to the jury to support the conviction. The National Motor Vehicle Theft Act is not to be interpreted so narrowly as to limit…