United States v. Edward Sarkisian

Appellant Sarkisian appeals his conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 2314 for transportation in interstate commerce of a security, viz. a check, knowing it to have been stolen and having a value of more than $5,000. The appeal asserts that the Government failed to prove that the check had a value of $5,000. We reject this contention and affirm the conviction.

Appellant admits that the Government established that he transported from Detroit, Michigan to Las Vegas, Nevada, a check stolen by an employee of the drawer of the check, Greyhound Food Management, Inc., payable to the order of Ira Wilson & Sons Dairy Co., 5255 Tillman Ave., Detroit, Michigan 48208, and in the amount of $29,-921.52. Appellant does not question that the Government has established that appellant cashed this check at the Landmark Hotel casino cage in Las Vegas, Nevada and received therefor the full face amount of the check. This transaction was accomplished by an employee of the Landmark Hotel typing on the back of the check “Ira Wilson & Sons Dairy Company By” and the appellant affixing thereunder the signature “Ed Thomas,” the name by which the appellant was known to the employees of the Landmark Hotel. In due…