United States v. Somboon Dangdee

On March 9, 1979, immigration officials arrested Somboon Dangdee at the Los Angeles International Airport when they discovered that he was using an altered passport to gain entry into the United States. The passport was originally issued by the government of Thailand. Dangdee was subsequently convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 1543 (1976), which makes unlawful the alteration of “any passport” and the knowing and willful use of an altered passport.

Dangdee concedes in this appeal that he knowingly used an altered Thai passport. He challenges his conviction on the ground that section 1543 applies only to passports issued by the United States and not to passports issued by foreign governments. The question is one of first impression. We find that section 1543 applies to passports issued by foreign governments and so affirm.

The language of criminal statutes must be strictly construed, but should be accorded its plain meaning when it is unambiguous. United States v. Gomez-Tostado, 597 F.2d 170, 172 (9th Cir. 1979). See also Church of Scientology v. United States Department of Justice, 612 F.2d 417, 421 (9th Cir. 1979); United States v. Rone, 598 F.2d 564, 569 (9th Cir. 1979). The…