United States v. Kerwin
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Gelean Mark appeals the district court’s order denying his motion to dismiss the indictment against him. For the reasons set forth below, we will affirm.
Because we write primarily for the parties, and because the district court has set forth the factual and procedural history of this case, we need not repeat them here. Mark appeals the district court’s order denying his motion to dismiss the indictment. He argues that the indictment violates the Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States Constitution. U.S. Const. Amend V.
Mark incorrectly argues he has been charged with a Continuing Criminal Enterprise under 21 U.S.C. § 848 in this indictment. See Appellant’s Br. at 15, 20. The indictment in this criminal case charges him with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”), 18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq. See Jt. Appx. 151-157 (indictment).
We have previously held that “[t] he language and legislative history of RICO indicates little doubt that Congress, in enacting RICO, sought to allow the separate prosecution and punishment of predicate offenses and a subsequent RICO offense.” United States v. Grayson, 795 F.2d 278, 282 (3d Cir. 1986). Therefore, “successive prosecutions for a RICO offense and its underlying predicate offenses are not inconsistent with the Double Jeopardy clause.” Id. at 283.
Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s orders substantially for the reasons set for in the district court’s Memorandum and Opinion without further elaboration.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. Gelean MARK also known as Kerwin
- Status
- Published