United States v. Jerry Urciuoli

Urciuoli appeals from his convictions on two counts of transporting stolen securities in interstate commerce, violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2314 . Here, he makes two arguments: (1) that certain of the stolen eertifi- cates were not “securities” at the time of transportation because they had been can-celled and (2) that there was insufficient evidence adequately to prove transportation of certain of the stolen bonds from New York to California. We reject both contentions.

Urciuoli was employed at the Barbizon Plaza Hotel in New York City from mid 1967 until late 1974. During that period two thefts of securities occurred there. On April 17, 1973, eight State of Israel Bonds were stolen from one of the hotel rooms. On May 3, 1974, nine Banco Popular de Puerto Rico Savings certificates were stolen from another hotel room. Upon learning of the latter theft, the owner of the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico certificates reported them stolen and caused them to be can-celled. In early 1976 Urciuoli appeared in California in possession of the stolen bonds and savings certificates. In February of 1976 Urciuoli negotiated the Israeli bonds by forwarding them to New York and receiving payment in…