United States v. William Pariseau

William Pariseau appeals his conviction on a single count of attempted possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 , 841(b)(1)(A). The district court denied Pariseau’s motion to suppress evidence of the drugs that were discovered strapped to his legs when he exited a plane in the Seattle airport. The district court also denied Pariseau’s motion, raised orally, challenging venue in the District of Alaska.

Pariseau asserts two errors: (1) that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated because he did not consent to the airport search, and (2) that venue was improper in Alaska because he was arrested in Seattle and should have been tried there.

We find no error and affirm the judgment. Pariseau voluntarily consented to the search. After the arresting officer explained that he would be detained while they sought a warrant to search him, he said, “You may as well just search me now.”

Venue in Alaska was consistent with federal venue law because Pariseau’s crime was a continuing offense with substantial steps taken in Alaska toward completion of the offense. No reported cases from this circuit have addressed a…