United States v. Riepe, No. 16-1929 (8th Cir. 2017)
Annotate this CaseThe Eighth Circuit affirmed defendant's conviction of attempted enticement of a minor, holding that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's verdict. Even if some of defendant's text messages indicated that he did not intend to have sex with the minor immediately after their meeting, the evidence would still be sufficient to demonstrate his intent despite such a willingness to delay the sexual activity. The court also concluded that the district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting evidence under FRE 404(b) of defendant's contacts with two other minors. In this case, the evidence related to defendant's plan, knowledge, and preparation; the district court gave a limiting instruction; and the introduction of the evidence ultimately did not have a substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury's verdict.
Court Description: Wollman, Author, with Murphy and Melloy, Circuit Judges] Criminal Case - conviction. Sufficient evidence was presented to allow jury to find defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of attempted enticement of a minor, based on the exchange of text messages, showing his intent to persuade minor to have sex with him. Even if evidence showed he did not to have sex with minor immediately, the evidence was sufficient to demonstrate his intent despite a willingness to delay the sexual activity. The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence under Rule 404(b), relating to defendant's contacts with other minors for purpose of showing plan, knowledge, and preparation; likewise the acts were sufficiently similar in kind. The district court properly engaged in Rule 403 balancing analysis and correctly gave a limiting instruction; in any event the evidence was harmless. [ May 30, 2017
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