United States v. Ronald E. Veatch

Appellant Ronald E. Veatch appeals from a conviction for transporting property obtained by fraud in interstate commerce in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2314 . He raises the following issues:

Facts

On September 1, 1978, Veatch, using the alias Frank Caven, purchased by check a diamond faced gold watch from a jewelry store in Fort Worth, Texas. Before accepting the check for $6,850, a store salesman and bookkeeper apparently verified that the check would clear by calling a telephone number supplied by Veatch and speaking with a Mr. Doss, whom Veatch claimed to be his banker. The store representatives were satisfied and accepted the check.

On September 4, 1978, Veatch purchased, through two associates, two gold and diamond rings from the same jewelry store. Payment of $8,000 was again made by check. The same salesman as in the earlier transaction accepted the check, but this time without verification for the reason that the banks were closed due to a holiday. Both checks were returned for lack of sufficient funds.

On November 1, 1978, the FBI, in Phoenix, Arizona, learned that Veatch was associated with the Days Inn Motel in that city. The manager of the motel, Don Lindquist, after…