United States Fourth Circuit

In a prosecution for cockfighting in violation of 7 USC section 2156, the defendant's conviction is affirmed, where: 1) the animal fighting statute prohibits activities that substantially affect interstate commerce and, thus, is a legitimate exercise of Congress's power under the Commerce Clause; and 2) the district court correctly concluded that the government was not required to establish the defendants' knowledge that the particular animal fighting venture was in or affecting interstate commerce.

Appellate Information

• Decided 04/20/2012
• Published 04/20/2012

Judges

• Barbara Milano Keenan

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Steven Michael Hisker, Nathan S. Williams