United States v. Gerald Charles McGregor United States of America v. Charles James Wilson

McGregor and Wilson appeal their convictions for transporting stolen gold coins in foreign commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2314 . We affirm.

McGregor and Wilson entered the port of entry at Lukeville, Arizona, from Mexico on July 11, 1975. During a search of their car, the immigration inspector discovered 2004 gold coins in an ice chest beneath ice and cold beer. After learning that the coins matched the description of coins believed to have been stolen in San Diego, McGregor and Wilson were arrested. Subsequent searches revealed one gold coin in the wallet of McGregor, the passenger, and four gold coins in the car under the front passenger seat.

McGregor and Wilson raise three issues which should be discussed: whether the evidence was sufficient to establish the elements of the offense, whether the trial judge improperly refused to ask prospective jurors certain questions on voir dire and whether the trial judge improperly restricted cross-examination of a government witness.

I. Sufficiency of the Evidence

The evidence was sufficient to establish that the coins were stolen. Jamer-son, an employee of a San Diego coin dealer, testified that the 2004 coins seized…