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FBI VOL00009
EFTA00191587
711 pages
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• 159 Fed.Appx. 128 159 Fed.Appx. 128, 2005 WL 3438434 (C.A. 1 (Fla.)) (Cite as: 159 Fed.Appx. 128) 110 Criminal Law 110X.X Trial 110XX(E) Arguments and Conduct of Coun- sel 110k702 Scope and Effect of Opening Statement 110k704 k. For Defense. Most Cited Cases Criminal Law 110 C=730(2) 110 Criminal Law 110XX Trial 110XX(E) Arguments and Conduct of Coun- sel 110k730 Action of Court 110k730(2) k. Opening Statement. Most Cited Cases In prosecution for attempting to travel in foreign commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct and attempting to induce a minor to engage in prostitu- tion, trial court did not abuse its discretion in limit- ing defendants opening statement to prevent de- fendant from making legal arguments; defendant re- peatedly disregarded court's ruling regarding use of legal terms such as "substantial steps" in opening argument, forcing govemmcnt to object at each in- stance, and rather than merely stating evidence that would come out at trial, defendant argued he was led to believe by undercover detective that Costa Rican government tested prostitutes for diseases. Criminal Law 110 €:=474 110 Criminal Law 110XVII Evidence 110XVII(R) Opinion Evidence 110k468 Subjects of Expert Testimony 110k474 k. Mental Condition or Capa- city. Most Cited Cases In prosecution for attempting to travel in foreign commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct and attempting to induce a minor to engage in prostitu- tion, proposed expert psychiatric testimony describ- ing witness's assessment of defendant's depression as an explanation that provided insight into motiva- Page 2 of 6 Page 2 tions behind his actions, but not as an excuse for those actions, failed to support a legally acceptable theory demonstrating a lack of mens rea by negat- ing either knowledge or intent, and thus, trial court did not abuse its discretion in prohibiting defendant from presenting the expert testimony. •129 Anne R. Schultz, U.S. Attorney's Office, Miami, FL, for Plaintiff-Appellee. Milton Hirsch and David Oscar Marcus, Miami, FL, for Defendant-Appellant. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Before BLACK, CARNES and PRYOR, Circuit Judges. PER CU **1 Clarke appeals his convictions for attempting to obtain a minor to engage in a com- mercial sex act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 1591(a), 1594(a), at- tempting to travel in foreign commerce to engage in illicit sexual conduct with another person, 18 U.S.C. § 2423(c), (e), and attempting to induce a minor to engage in prostitution, 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). Clarke asserts the district court erred in its (I) interpretation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b) when it denied Clarke's motion for judgment of acquittal, (2) refusal to instruct the jury on the defense of en- trapment by estoppel, and (3) limitation of Clarke's opening statement and prohibition of expert psychi- atric testimony. The district court did not err, and we affirm Clarke's convictions. I. DISCUSSION A. Statutory interpretation of 18 U.S.0 § 2242(b) [1] Clarke asserts his conviction for persuading a minor to engage in prostitution "cannot stand," as he was neither charged with, nor could he have been convicted of, "engaging) in any sexual activ- ity (including prostitution) for which any *130 per- son can be charged with a crime." According to C 2008 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. https://web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?sv=Full&prft=HTMLE&fn=_top&mt=F... 2/21/2008 EFTA00192207
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• 159 Fed.Appx. 128 159 Fed.Appx. 128, 2005 WL 3438434 (C.A.11 (Fla.)) (Cite as: 159 Fed.Appx. 128) Clarke, § 2422(b), as written, only makes it a crime to induce a minor to engage in any sexual activity if that sexual activity is criminal. Clarke claims the statutory construction, specifically, the lack of a comma following the word "prostitution," means the phrase "for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense" must be read to modify the prior phrase "prostitution or any sexual activ- ity." Clarke further asserts based upon this statutory construction of § 2422(6) that Congress only inten- ded to punish a person for engaging in "illegal prostitution" overseas, but "not all forms of prosti- tution." Moreover, Clarke argues, although Con- gress has the power to criminalize the conduct of a U.S. citizen who engages in conduct in a foreign country that is deemed legal in that country, Con- gress only criminalized "engaging in underage prostitution as defined and proscribed by the law of the jurisdiction in which the act of prostitution oc- curs." Accordingly, Clarke argues, the prosecution was required to, but did not, present evidence the type of prostitution in which he intended to engage was "the sort of prostitution for which any person can be charged with a crime in Costa Rica." "The interpretation of a statute is a question if law subject to de novo review." United States Murrell, 368 F.3d 1283, 1285 (11th Cir.), cert. denied,543 U.S. 960, 125 S.Ct. 439, 160 L.Ed.2d 324 (2004) (citation omitted). Subsection (b) of § 2422 states: Whoever, using the mail or any facility or means of interstate or foreign commerce ... know- ingly persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any in- dividual who has not attained the age of 18 years, to engage in prostitution or any sexual activity for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense, or attempts to do so, shall be fined under this title and imprisoned not less than 5 years and not more than 30 years. **2 Clarke cites no authority to support his contention the phrase "for which any person can be charged with a criminal offense" must be read to modify both "prostitution" and "any sexual activ- Page 3 of 6 Page 3 ity." moreover, prostitution is a form of sexual activity, and Clarke's reading results in the term "prostitution" being superfluous, which must be avoided. United States I Ballinger, 395 F.3d 1218, 1236 (11th Cir.) (en banc) (noting it is a cardinal principle of statutory construction that a statute must be construed such that no clause, sentence, or word shall be superfluous, void, or insignificant), cert. denied,-- U.S. —, 126 S.Ct. 368, 163 L.Ed.2d 77 (2005). Finally, even if Clarke were correct that the Government was required to show the prostitution in question is illegal in Costa Rica, both Agent Patterson and Detective Love testified it is illegal to engage in prostitution with a minor in Costa Rica. Accordingly, the district court did not err in its interpretation of § 2422(b). B. Jury instruction on entrapment by estoppel [2] Clarke next contends the district court erred by failing to give an entrapment by estoppel •in- struction to the jury, as he provided sufficient evid- ence for the matter to go to the jury. Clarke con- tends whether he knew Detective Richard Love was acting on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investiga- tion is irrelevant, as the defense of entrapment by estoppel focuses on the conduct of government offi- cials, rather than on the defendant's state of mind. Clarke explains "law enforcement may not benefit from its own wrongful act," whereby a citizen is prosecuted for engaging in criminal conduct that law enforcement counseled him to undertake. Clarke asserts his reliance on Detective •131 Love was reasonable, especially since Detective Love held himself out to be "a very experienced, quali- fied, law-abiding purveyor of sex tourism." Moreover, Clarke argues, he was assured by De- tective Love the prostitutes were required to be tested for diseases once a month, and Detective Love "acknowledged that the logical and ordinary inference from his representation ... was that it was the government of Costa Rica that imposed such a requirement." Clarke further argues both Detective Love and the website assured him the sexual activ- ities being offered were "safe" and "secure." Ac- C 2008 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. https://web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?sv=Full&prft=HTMLE&fn=_top&mt=F... 2/21/2008 EFTA00192208
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• 159 Fed.Appx. 128 159 Fed.Appx. 128, 2005 WL 3438434 (C.A.I1 (Fla.)) (Cite as: 159 Fed.Appx. 128) cording to Clarke, the representations of Detective Love and the website "told a single, consistent, co- herent story: the sex tourism being offered to [him] was legal." The denial of a requested jury instruction is viewed for an abuse of discretion. United States Trujillo. 146 F.3d 838, 846 (11th Cir.1998). "The trial court has authority to refuse to instruct the jury on a defense where the evidence used to support it, if believed, fails to esta ish a legally cognizable defense." United Stares Billue. 994 F.2d 1562, 1568 (11th. Cir.1993). To assert the defense of en- trapment by estoppel, a defendant must " 'actually rely on a point of law misrepresented by an official of the state; and such reliance must be objectively reasonable-given the identity of the official, the point of law represented, and the suits" the misrepresentation.' " United States 179 F.3d 1328, 1332 (11th Cir.1999) (citation omitted). "The defense 'focuses on the conduct of the Gov- ernment officials, not on the state of mind of the defendant.' "Id. (citation omitted). •`3 Clarke does not allege Detective Love ever identified himself to Clarke as a law enforcement officer. Clarke knew Detective Love as his alias, Richard Baxter, the owner of CRTV, who provided a travel service whereby clients were connected with prostitutes in Costa Rica. Accordingly, Clarke's reliance on statements made by Detective Love, in the guise of Richard Baxter, was object- ively unreasonable, as a reasonable person would not rely upon a pimp for legal guidance. See id. Moreover, Clarke points to no statements in the re- cord where he either asked Detective Love about the legality of the services provided by CRTV or Detective Love volunteered that CRTV's services were legal. On the contrary, Detective Love instruc- ted Clarke what Clarke was doing was not "kosher," and Clarke responded he "knew that" and figured as much. Contrary to Clarke's contentions, the terms "secure" and "safe" are not synonymous with "legal." Moreover, Detective Love's state- ments he occasionally had sex with the prostitutes Page 4 of 6 Page 4 does not indicate such behavior was legal. Further- more, as the district court noted, the only "affirmative statement" made by Detective Love, that the prostitutes were required to be tested monthly for disease, was subsequently followed in the conversation by Detective Love's statement to Clarke that the conduct in which he intended to en- gage was not kosher. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion by refusing to instruct the jury regarding the defense of entrapment by es- toppel. C. Fair trial Finally, Clarke asserts the "cumulative effect of adverse evidentiary and procedural rulings by the trial court deprived [him] of a fair trial under the 5th and 6th Amendments." According to Clarke, the district court "unfairly limited" his opening statement by (I) excluding the board he intended to use a visual aid, and (2) sustaining objections by the Government when he stated the evidence would show he had not taken any "substantial steps" and law enforcement officers led him to •132 believe the Costa Rican government tested the prostitutes for diseases. Clarke contends as a result he was pre- vented from "laying two essential building blocks" of his defense, that the evidence would show (1) he had not taken the "substantial step" to distinguish his "non-criminal" conduct from criminal attempt, and (2) law enforcement officers led him to believe the conduct he was planning was "not proscribed by criminal sanctions." Clarke further contends he was prevented from presenting testimony, which sup- ported his defense, by Dr. Haber, who would have testified Clarke (1) was not a pedophile, (2) was not sexually aroused by or attracted to prepubescent fe- males, and (3) suffers from clinical depression. We review for an abuse of discretion Clarke's claim the district court improper/ i limited his open- ing statement. See United States Burns, 298 F.3d 523, 543 (6th Cir.2002) (stating a district judge's conduct of a trial, including opening statements, is reviewed for an abuse of discretion). "A district C 2008 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. https://web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?sv=Full&prft—HTMLE&for_top&mt—F... 2/21/2008 EFTA00192209
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Page 5 of 6 • 159 Fed.Appx. 128 159 Fed.Appx. 128, 2005 WL 3438434 (C.A.I 1 (Fla.)) (Cite as: 159 Fed.Appx. 128) court's decision regarding the admissibility of psy- chiatric evidence is generally subject to the abuj of discretion standard of review." United States Westcott, 83 F.3d 1354, 1357 (11th Cir.1996). **4 An opening statement gives counsel the opportunity to state what evidence will be presented in order to make it easier for the jurors to under- stand ! what is to follow, and is of an occasion for argument. See United States Zielie, 734 F.2d 1 1447, 1455 (11th Cir.I984 a rogated on other grounds by United States Chestang, 849 F.2d 528, 531 (I I th Cir.1988). ' e scope and extent of the defendant's opening statement rests largely the discretion of the trial court." United States Freeman, 514 F.2d 1184, 1192 (10th Cir.197 . The court "can exclude irrelevant facts and stop ar- gument if it occurs." Zielie, 734 F.2d at 1455. The Insanity Defense Reform Act provides: It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under any Federal statute that, at the time of the commission of the acts constituting the offense, the defendant, as a result of a severe mental disease or defect, was unable to appreciate the nature and quality or the wrongfulness of his acts. Mental dis- ease or defect does not otherwise constitute a de- fense. 18 U.S.C. § 17(a). When evaluating the ad- missibility of psychiatric evidence, courts should consider the following principles: (1) "(p)sychiatric evidence of impaired volitional control or inability to reflect on the ultimate consequences of one's conduct is inadmissible whether offered to support an insanity defense or for any other purpose;" (2) "Congress intended to insure that the insanity de- fense is not improperly resurrected in the guise of showing some other affirmative defense such as that the defendant had a 'diminished responsibility' or some similarly asserted state of mind which would serve to excuse the offense;" and (3) "Congress was concerned about the danger that ex- pert psychiatric testimony regarding inherently mal- leable psychological concepts can be misused at - al to mislead or confuse the jury." United States. Page 5 Cameron, 907 F.2d 1051, 1061-62 (11th Cir.1990) (internal quotation and citation omitted) (emphasis in original). "Evidence offered as 'psychiatric evid- ence to negate specific intent' is admissible, however, when such evidence focuses on the de- fendant's specific state of mind at the time of the charged offense." Id. at 1067. "Because psychiatric evidence (1) will only rarely negate specific intent, (2) presents an inherent danger that it will distract the jury[ ) from focusing on the actual presence or absence of mens rea,*133 and (3) may easily slide into wider usage that opens up the jury to theories of defense more akin to justification, district courts must examine such psychiatric evidence carefully to ascertain whether it would, if believed, support a legally acceptable theory of lack of mens rea." Id. (internal quotations and citation omitted). As an initial matter, Clarke failed to include the board he intended to use as a visual aid in the re- cord on appeal, as required by Federal Rule of A pellate Procedure I0(bX2). See Fernandez I. United States, 941 F.2d 1488, 1493 (I 1th Cir.1991) (holding the appellant is responsible for ensuring all documents buttressing his claims appear in the record). Consequently, we are unable to determine whether the district court abused its discretion by determining Clarke could display only the left-band side during his opening statement. **5 [3] Prior to Clarke's opening statement, the court ruled he was prohibited from making legal ar- gument in his opening statement. Clarke, however, repeatedly disregarded the court's ruling regarding the use of legal terms such as "substantial steps," using such language and forcing the Government to object at each instance. In addition, rather than merely stating the evidence that would come out at trial regarding Detective Love's telling him the prostitutes were required to be tested, Clarke ar- gued he was led to believe the Costa Rican govern- ment tested the prostitutes for diseases. Contrary to Clarke's contentions, he did not have a right to make legal arguments in his opening statement. See Zielie, 734 F.2d at 1455. Moreover, a court is per- © 2008 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. https://web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?sr-Full&prft=HTMLE&fn=_toP&mt=F... 2/21/2008 EFTA00192210
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Pagc 6 of 6 • 159 Fed.Appx. 128 159 Fed.Appx. 128, 2005 WL 3438434 (C.A.I I (Fla.)) (Cite as: 159 Fed.Appx. 128) mined to stop a party from arguing during its open- (Fla.)) ing statement, as occurred in the present case. See id. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its END OF DOCUMENT discretion by prohibiting Clarke from making legal arguments during his opening statement. [4] Clarke also claims the district court abused its discretion by prohibiting expert psychiatric testi- mony. At the hearing, Dr. Haber testified Clarke in- tended to take the actions necessary to travel to Costa Rica, and knew what he was "signing up for was not legal." Dr. Haber also testified Clarke was conscious of his actions, had the capacity for self- reflection over the course of the telephone conver- sations, and had "a requisite understanding of his actions and their consequences." Dr. Haber de- scribed her acsecsment of Clarke's depression as an explanation that provided insight into the motiva- tions behind his actions, but was not an excuse for those actions. Accordingly, even if believed, Dr. Haber's testimony failed to support a legally accept- able theory demonstrating a lack of mess rea, but, on the contrary, as she stated, only served to ex- plain Clarke's actions, rather than negate either the knowledge or intent behind those actions. See Cameron. 907 F.2d at 1067. Consequently, the dis- trict court did not abuse its discretion in prohibiting Clarke from presenting expert psychiatric testi- mony. H. CONCLUSION The district court did not err in its interpreta- tion of 18 U.S.C. § 2422(b). Additionally, the dis- trict court did not abuse its discretion when it re- fused to instruct the jury on the defense of entrap- ment by estoppel or by limiting Clarke's opening statement and prohibiting expert psychiatric testi- mony. We affirm Clarke's convictions. AFFIRMED. C.A.11 (Fla.),2005. U.S. I. Clarke 159 Fed.Appx. 128, 2005 WL 3438434 (C.A.11 C 2008 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. Page 6 https://web2.westlaw.contrint/printstream.aspx?sv=Full&prit—HTMLE&fri=_top8unt=F... 2/21/2008 EFTA00192211
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Page I of 7
Wzstlaw.
Page 1
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(Cite as:
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UNITFip STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Ap-
pellee,
DONALD J. DEVERSO, Defendant-Ap-
pellant.
C.A.I1,2008.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Ap-
pellee,
v.
DONALD J. DEVERSO, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 06-16048 D.C. Docket No. 05-00034 CR-
FTM-29-SPC
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit.
(March 5, 2008)
Appeal from the United States District Court for the
Middle District of Florida
Before DUBINA and KRAVITCH, Circuit Judges,
and GOLDBERG,* Judge.
DUBINA, Circuit Judge:DUBINA, Circuit Judge:
Appellant Donald J. Deverso ("Deverso") ap-
peals his convictions for possessing materials in-
volving a depiction of a minor engaged in sexually
explicit activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §
2252(aX4XB) and (bX2) (Count One); transporting
materials involving a depiction of a minor engaged
in sexually explicit activity, in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 2252(aX1) and (bX1) (Count Two); "1'
and using a minor to engage in sexually explicit
conduct outside of the United States for the purpose
of producing a visual depiction of such conduct and
transporting that visual depiction into the United
States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(cX2XB)
and (e) (Count Three). Deverso's appeal presents
three issues for review, two of which present novel
questions concerning the authenticity of foreign
public documents under Federal Rule of Evidence
902(3) and a mistake of age defense under 18
U.S.C. § 2251(c). After reviewing the record, read-
ing the parties' briefs, and having the benefit of oral
argument, we conclude that the Government prop-
erly authenticated the foreign document it admitted
into evidence, and Count Three does not contain a
scienter element as to age. Accordingly, we affirm
Deverso's convictions.
I. BACKGROUND
The Government presented the following evid-
ence at trial. In 2004, the Department of Homeland
Security ("DHS") received information regarding
Deverso's foreign travel and began investigating
him for possessing child pornography and traveling
abroad to engage in sex with minors. DHS investig-
ators interviewed Deverso's wife, Zong Yu Deverso
("Mrs.Deverso"). Mrs. Deverso turned over to in-
vestigators various computer media and printouts
that she surreptitiously obtained from Deverso. De-
verso was in some of the pictures that depicted
young girls in various stages of undress. Investigat-
ors discovered that one of the girls in the pictures
was Beverly Datanagan ("Beverly").
During a subsequent search of Deverso's resid-
ence pursuant to a valid search warrant, investigat-
ors found compact and floppy disks, computer com-
ponents, and a computer. Deverso originally set up
his computer in a small room or closet that the fam-
ily used for a nursery. It was the only computer
with intemet access, and Deverso's account was the
only account that was password protected. Investig-
ators reviewed the compact disks seized from De-
verso's residence and discovered two disks, entitled
MM Texas and Asians 7, that contained child por-
nography. One of the investigators testified that he
had seen some of the images on the compact disks
in other child pornography investigations.
One of Deverso's fellow inmates, Michael
Lewis ("Lewis"), testified that Deverso admitted
that he had been involved with two underage girls
in Manila, Philippines, during his relationship with
his "fiancee" Beverly. Lewis also stated that De-
verso admitted that the disks belonged to him but
that he intended to shift the blame to his son, who
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was living with Deverso at the time of the search.
Lewis testified that Deverso commented to him
"that we all have a little pedophile in us." (R.
V01.6, p. 429.)
Investigators also testified that they found
Beverly's name on the back of one of the digital im-
ages and discovered romantic email chats between
Deverso and Beverly. Under Deverso's account and
in a folder titled Bev, investigators found pictures
of Beverly, some of which were sexually explicit.
Deverso allegedly took these pictures between Oc-
tober 15 and 17, 2004.
Dante Orate ("Orate"), Special Agent with
DHS in Manila, testified that he personally met
with Beverly after authorities helped him locate
her. Beverly brought a birth certificate for Orate to
review. Orate requested a copy of the birth certific-
ate from the National Census and Statistics Office
and had it certified at the U.S. Embassy. Orate
stated that the copy of the birth certificate was ex-
actly the same as the birth certificate Beverly
showed him at their meeting. The date of birth on
the copy of the birth certificate was November 10,
1986. The Government proffered the document as
evidence that Beverly was a minor at the time De-
verso had sex with her, and Deverso objected on
the grounds that the document was an incomplete
document because it did not have a signature under
the heading "Certificate of Attendant at Birth." (R.
Vol.6, p. 322.)
Beverly testified that her date of birth was
November 10, 1986, and she was 17 when she met
Deverso in October 2004. She stated that she had
sex with Deverso when she was 17, and she told
Deverso that she was 17. She also testified that De-
verso sent her money for her 18th birthday.
After the Government concluded its case-
in-chief, Deverso moved for judgments of acquittal
on all counts and moved for dismissal of Count
Two, arguing that it was unconstitutional facially
and as-applied. The district court denied the mo-
tions.
Page 2 of 7
Page 2
Deverso took the stand and denied having sex
with Beverly in October 2004. Deverso also stated
that Beverly did not tell him that she was 17; in-
stead, Beverly represented herself to be 18 or 19.
Deverso testified that the hotel clerk did not inquire
about Beverly's age when they registered, and no
one questioned her age when they purchased alco-
holic drinks. Deverso stated that he sent Beverly
money for her 19th, not 18th, birthday. Deverso
also denied telling his fellow inmate anything about
his travels or having sex with minors. He commen-
ted that his testimony was the truth.
During the charge conference, Deverso objec-
ted to an instruction that "the defendant's awareness
of the age of the minor is not an element of the of-
fense," and that mistake of age is not a defense to
Count Three. Instead, Deverso requested that the
district court instruct the jury that mistake of age is,
in fact, an affirmative defense to Count Three. The
Government responded that the instruction was a
correct statement of the law. The district court con-
cluded that because knowledge of age is not an ele-
ment of 18 U.S.C. § 2251, mistake of age is not a
defense.
The jury found Deverso guilty on all counts.
The district court sentenced him to concurrent
terms of 120 months imprisonment on Count One
and 195 months imprisonment on Counts Two and
Three. Deverso filed a timely notice of appeal.
II. ISSUES
1. Whether the district court erred in admitting
a certified copy of a birth certificate as a foreign
public document pursuant to Federal Rule of Evid-
ence 902(3).
2. Whether the district court abused its discre-
tion in refusing to instruct the jury on mistake of
age on Count Three.
3. Whether the district court erred in denying
Deverso's motion for judgment of acquittal on
Count One.
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III. STANDARDS OF REVIEW
We review for abuse of discretion the distri t
court's admission of evidence. See United Stain
Maragh, 174 F.3d 1202, 1204 (11th Cir.1999). f
the defendant fails to object at trial to the admission
i
of evidence, the court reviews the distri
court's
ruling for plain error only. United States
Baker.
432 F.3d 1189, 1202 (11th Cir.2005). "
ere an
appellant has objected to a jury instruction at trial,
f
we review the court's decision to use that 'nstruc-
tion for abuse of discretion." United States
Dean.
487 F.3d 840, 847 (11th Cir.2007), petition or cert.
filed,76 U.S.L.W. 3240 (U.S. Oct. 25, 2007) (No.
07-553). "We review a district court's decision to
deny a motion for judgment of acquittal based on
I
fficiency of the evidence de novo." United States
Dulcip 441 F.3d 1269, 1276 (11th Cir.2006). In
determining whether the Government presented
sufficient evidence, the court "must review the
evidence in the light most favorable to the
[G]ovenunent and draw all reasonable factual infer-
ences in favor of the jury's verdict." Id.
IV. DISCUSSION
A. Admission of the birth certificate
Deverso argues that the district court erred in
admitting a copy of Beverly's birth certificate into
evidence to establish that Beverly was under the
age of 18 at the time of the alleged sexual en-
counter. First, he claims that the birth certificate is
a business record, and the Government did not lay a
proper foundation for its admission. See28 U.S.C. §
1732 (governing admission of business records into
evidence). Second, Deverso contends that the Gov-
ernment did not authenticate the birth certificate,
and the document did not bear the required indicia
of reliability. He claims that while the birth certific-
ate may have been attested to by an appropriate in-
dividual listed in Federal Rule of Evidence 902(3),
the document itself does not contain the minimum
information to appear valid on its face. Deverso
questions the authenticity of the document because
the certificate states that it certifies that "Beverly
Regidor Datanagan who was allegedly born on
November 10, 1986 ... appears in the National In-
dices for birth." (R. Exhibit No. 5.) Thus, Deverso
argues that the document is not what the Govern-
ment claims it to be-a birth certificate-but is, in-
stead, a document containing an "alleged" date of
birth.
A review of the record indicates that Deverso
objected to the admission of the document on the
grounds that what purports to be a copy of the ori-
ginal or certified copy of the original does not have
a signature under the heading "Certificate of At-
tendant at Birth." Specifically, he claimed that it
was an incomplete document. (R. Vol.6, p. 322.)
This trial objection is different than the objections
Deverso proffers on appeal. Consequently, to ob-
tain relief, Deverso must demonstrigp plain error
warranting relief. See United States I Cotton. 535
U.S. 625, 631-32, 122 S.Ct. 1781, 1785 (2002)
("[B]efore an appellate court can correct an error
not raised at trial, there must be (I) error, (2) that is
plain, and (3) that affect(s] substantial rights ...
(and) (4) ... seriously affect(s) the fairness, integ-
rity,
(
or public reputa' n of judicial proceed-
ings."(quoting Johnson
United States, 520 U.S.
461, 466-67, 117 S.Ct.
44, 1549 (1997) (internal
citations and quotation marks omitted)).
The Government admitted the document as a
foreign public document pursuant to Federal Rule
of Evidence 902(3). This rule provides, in part, that
Extrinsic evidence of authenticity as a condi-
tion precedent to admissibility is not required with
respect to ... (3) Foreign public documents. A
document purporting to be executed or attested in
an official capacity by a person authorized by the
laws of a foreign country to make the execution or
attestation, and accompanied by a final certification
as to the genuineness of the signature and official
position (A) of the executing or attesting person, or
(B) of any foreign official whose certificate of
genuineness of signature and official position
relates to the execution or attestation or is in a
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Page 4
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(Cite as: — F.3d —)
chain of certificates of genuineness of signature and
official position relating to the execution or attesta-
tion. A final certification may be made by a secret-
ary of an embassy or legation, consul general, con-
sul, vice consul, or consular agent of the United
States, or a diplomatic or consular official of the
foreign country assigned or accredited to the United
States. If reasonable opportunity has been given to
all parties to investigate the authenticity and accur-
acy of official documents, the court may, for good
cause shown, order that they be treated as pre-
sumptively authentic without final certification or
permit them to be evidenced by an attested sum-
mary with or without fmal certification.
FED. R. EVID. 902(3).
There is no requirement in Rule 902(3) that di
document itself be signed. See United States
Squillacote, 221 F.3d 542, 562 (4th Cir.2000). "The
rules are written in the alternative-foreign docu-
ments may be authenticated by a certification from
the official executing the document or by an offi-
cial attesting to the document." Id.
There are two requirements for the authentica-
tion of a foreign document. "First, there must be
some indication that the document is what is pur-
ports to be. Thus, the proffered document must be
executed by a proper official in his official capa-
city, or the genuineness of the document must be
attested to by a proper official
official capa-
city." Id.; see also United States Doyle, 130 F.3d
523, 545 (2d Cir.1997) (noting that the rule is not
concerned with establishing the with of information
contained in the proffered document but, instead, is
concerned only with "assuring that evidence is what
it purports to be"). "Second, there must be some in-
dication that the official vouching for the document
is who he purports to be." Squillacote, 221 F.3d at
562. Accordingly, "the rules require that one of a
specified group of foreign officials must issue a fi-
nal certification attesting to the genuineness of sig-
nature and title of the person executing or attesting
to the document, or of another official who has cer-
tified the signature and position of the person ex-
ecuting or attesting to the document." Id.
The Government met these requirements here.
The Government established that Agent Orate re-
quested and obtained a copy of Beverly's birth cer-
tificate from the Philippine National Census and
Statistics Office and that he had the copy authentic-
ated and certified at the United States Embassy in
Manila. The copy of Beverly's birth certificate was
accompanied by a certificate from Richard Ambrad,
Embassy Coordinator with the Government of the
Philippines, attesting that the copy of Beverly's
birth certificate was a true copy of an official re-
cord authorized by the law of the Philippines to be
reported and recorded in the National Census and
Statistics Office. That certification was accompan-
ied by a fmal certification by Kimberly A. Russell,
Vice Consul of the United States in the Philippines.
Additionally, the copy of the birth certificate was
stamped as a certified copy and affixed with the
seal of Luzviminda N. Cruz, whom Vice Consul
Russell certified was "Clerk 11, National Statistics
Office, Quezon City, Republic of the Philippines."
Because the Government met the requirements for
self-authentication of the foreign document, it did
not have to lay a foundation for admission of the
document as a business record. SeeFED.R.EVID.
902, advisory committee note to para. (3) (stating
that this paragraph "provides a method for extend-
ing the presumption of authenticity to foreign offi-
cial documents by a procedure of certification").
Furthermore, to the extent that Deverso chal-
lenges the reliability of the information contained
in the birth certificate, such as Beverly's date of
birth and the lack of signature of the attendant at
birth, that challenge goes to the weight of the evid-
ence, not its admissibility on grounds of authenti-
city. See, e.g., Doyle, 130 F.3d at 545 ("(T)he offi-
cial does not need to attest to the truth or trustwor-
thiness of the facts contained in the document; ac-
curacy of its contents is the concern of other Feder-
al Rules."). Deverso fails to establish that Beverly's
birth certificate is not what it purports to be, espe-
cially in light of Agent Orate's testimony that the
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• -- F.3d --, 2008 WL 581218 (C.A.11 (Na.)) (Cite as: — F.3d —) certified copy of the birth certificate was identical to the birth certificate that Beverly showed him upon request. Consequently, Deverso cannot show error, let alone plain error, warranting a new trial due to the district court's admission of the birth cer- tificate into evidence. B. Mistake of age jury instruction Deverso claims that the district court erred by refusing to give his mistake of age instruction as to Count Three. Deverso contends that knowledge of age is constitutionally mandated and because the Government charged that he did "knowingly" em- ploy, use, persuade, entice, or coerce a minor to en- gage in sexually explicit conduct outside of the United States for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, he could raise mistake of age as a defense. The Government responds that the district court properly refused to give a mistake of age instruction. We agree. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2251(cX1), (ajny person who, in a circumstance described in paragraph (2), employs, uses, persuades, induces, entices, or coerces any minor to engage in, or who has a minor assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct outside of the United States, its territories or possessions, for the purpose of producing any visual depiction of such conduct, shall be punished as provided under subsection (e). Id. Subsection (2) states that the circumstance re- ferred to in paragraph (1) is that - (A) the person intends such visual depiction to be transported to the United States, its territories or possessions, by any means, including by computer or mail; or (B) the person transports such visual depiction to the United States, its territories or possessions, by any means, including by computer or mail. 18 U.S.C. § 2251(eX2). The statute sets the age of majority at 18. 18 U.S.C. § 2256(1). Page 5 of 7 Page 5 NN, Deverso first contends that he was entitled to a mistake of age defense jury instruction because knowledge of age is an element of the offense un- der § 2251. We disagree and hold that knowledge of age As not an element of this offense. See United States I X-Citement Video, Inc., 513 U.S. 64, 76 & n.5, 115 S.Ct. 464 (1994) (concluding, although in dicta, that a mistake of age defense to 18 U.S.C. § 2251 is not constitutionally mandated and citing a Senate Conference Committee Report explaining that the deletion of the word "knowingly" from § 2251 reflected an intent to eliminate knowledge age as an element of the crime); United States Griffith. 284 F.3d 338, 349 (2d Cir.2002) (rejecting defendants' argument that the district court's charge to the jury omitting scienter of age under § 2251 was erroneous); United States' Johnson, 376 F.3d 689, 693 (7th Cir.2004) (finding that because de- fendant was charged with the attempt to manufac- ture child pornography, the Government had to prove knowledge of the minor's age; however, com- menting that if the defendant were charged with the commission of the completed offense under § 2251, tn the Government would not have to prove ow- ledge of the minor's age); United States U.S. Dist. Ct, 858 F.2d 534, 53841 (9th Cir.1988) (acknowledging that scienter as to age is not an ele- ment of 18 U.S.C. § 2251); H.R.REP. NO. 99-910, at 6 (1986), reprinted in 1986 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5952, 5956 (noting that under § 2251 the Government "need not prove that the defendant actually knew the person depicted was in fact under 18 years of age"). — Deverso also argues that he was entitled to a mistake of age jury instruction because it is consti- tutionally mandated. He relies on United States District Court, 858 F.2d at 537-43, in which the Ninth Circuit engrafted a mistake of agc defense in- to the statute after concluding that such a defense was required under the First Amendment although the statute did not have a scienter of age element. We reject Deverso's contention and hold that the Constitution does not mandate a mistake of age de- fense under § 2251. See United States' Crow, 164 O 2008 Thomson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. https://web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?sv=Full&prft=HTMLE&fn=_top&mt=Fe... 3/6/2008 EFTA00192216
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Page 6 of 7
F.3d
F.3d
2008 WL 581218 (C.A.I1 (Fla.))
(Cite as: — F.3d —)
F.3d 229, 236 (5th Cir.1999) (finding defendant's
constitutirl challenge to § 2251 meritless);cf.
c
Gilmour
Rogerson, 117 F.3d 368, 370-73 (8th
Cir.1997) (considering Iowa statute similar to §
2251 and concluding that the First Amendment
does not mandate a mistake of age defense to the
offense of sexual exploitation of a minor). Accord-
ingly, we reject Deverso's argument that the district
court erred in its jury instruction on Count Three.
FN2
C. Motion for judgment of acquittal
Deverso contends that the district court erred in
denying his motion for judgment of acquittal on
Count One, possession of materials containing child
pornography. He argues that the evidence was in-
sufficient to support his conviction. Having re-
viewed the record, and taking the evidence in the
light most favorable to the Government, see Dulcio,
441 F.3d at 1276, we conclude that the evidence
was more than sufficient to support Deverso's con-
viction on Count One.
The evidence showed that after his arrest, De-
verso admitted to another inmate that the disks be-
longed to him but that he intended to put the blame
on his son, and that he had had sex with underage
girls while he was in the Philippines. Additionally.
an investigator testified that some of the child por-
nography contained on one of the disks had been
found under Deverso's password-protected account
on the hard drive of his computer. The investigator
also stated that some of the child pornography on
the disks contained the same images he had seen in
other child pornography investigations. Deverso's
son testified that none of the computer stuff be-
longed to him and that his father's account was the
only account that was password-protected.
Although Deverso testified and denied any
knowledge of the child pornography on the disks,
the jury was free to disbelieve his testimony in light
of the evidence to the contrary. Given the opportun-
ity to evaluate Deverso's demeanor and credibility,
the jury was entitled not only to disbelieve his testi-
Page 6
mony but, in fact, to find that the o
site of his
testimony was true. See United States
Martinez,
r
F.3d 371, 374-75 (11th Cir.1996); United States
Brown, 53 F.3d 312, 314-15 (11th Cir.1995).
us, Deverso's testimony in his own defense,
coupled with the corroborative evidence of his
i
guilt, s ports the jury's guilty verdict. See United
States Williams, 390 F.3d 1319, 1326 (11th
Cir.2
("Where some corroborative evidence of
guilt exists for the charged offense ... and the de-
fendant takes the stand in [his) own defense, the
[d)efendant's testimony, denying guilt, may estab-
lish, by itself, elements of the offense."). Accord-
ingly, we conclude that the district court did not err
in denying Deverso's motion for judgment of se-
quins! on Count One.
I. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we drum Deverso's
convictions.
AFFIRMED.
*Honorable Richard W. Goldberg, United
States Court of International Trade Judge,
sitting by designation.
1. Deverso does not have a challenge with
regard to the scienter instruction on Count
Two because the district court gave a sci-
enter jury instruction on this count. (R.
Vol.8, p. 709-10.) I
2. We note, moreover, that the Govern-
ment's inclusion of the word "knowingly"
in the indictment was mere surplusage.
Congress defines the elements of an of-
fense, not the charging document. Surplus-
age in an indictment may be deleted
i
tshout any legal error. See United States
Ward, 486 F.3d 1212, 1227 (11th
r.2007), cert.
denied,128
S.Ct.
398
(2007). Furthermore, when the Govern-
ment
explained
that it had
charged
"knowingly" to mean only that Deverso
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Page 7 of 7 Page 7 F.3d 2008 WL 581218 (C.A.11 (Fla.)) (Cite as: — F-3d —) must have "knowingly produced the im- ages, he knowingly took the pictures," De- verso did not dispute that construction of Count Three, nor did he argue that he had relied on the language of the charge in fo - mutating his defense. See United States Cancelliere, 69 F.3d 1116, 1121 (II Cir.1995) (noting exception to the general rule regarding surplusage in the indictment when a defendant rests his entire defense on an erroneously charged surplus ele- ment). C.A. 1,2008. U.S. I. Deverso F.3d 2008 WL 581218 (C.A.11 (Fla.)) END OF DOCUMENT C 2008 Thornson/West. No Claim to Orig. U.S. Govt. Works. https://web2.westlaw.com/print/printstream.aspx?sv=Full&prft=HTMLE&fn=_top&mt=Fe... 3/6/2008 EFTA00192218
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FILED UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION 05 AUG 3I PM 2: I? UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. CASE NO. 2:S05-cr-34-FtM-29SPC 18 USC §2251(cX2)(B) DONALD J. DEVERSO 18 USC §2251(e) 18 USC § 2252(aX1) 18 USC § 2252(aX4)(B) 18 USC § 2252(bX1) 18 USC § 2252(b)(2) SECOND SUPERCEDING INDICTMENT The Grand Jury charges: COUNT ONE From a date unknown but by at least May 11, 2002, through on or about April 5, 2005, in Lee County, Florida, in the Middle District of Florida, and elsewhere, the defendant, DONALD J. DEVERSO, did knowingly possess one or more matter(s) which contain a visual depiction that had been transported in interstate and foreign commerce, and which had been produced using materials which had been transported, by any means including by computer, where the production of such visual depiction involved the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and such visual depiction is of such conduct. In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(4)(8) and 2252(b)(2). EFTA00192219
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COUNT TWO On or about October 20, 2004, in Lee County, in the Middle District of Florida, and elsewhere, the defendant, DONALD J. DEVERSO, did knowingly transport and ship in interstate and foreign commerce, by any means, including by computer, a visual depiction, the production of which involved the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct, and such visual depiction is of such conduct. In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(1) and 2252(b)(1). COUNT THREE Between October 15, 2004, through on or about October 17, 2004, in Lee County, in the Middle District of Florida, and the Philippines, the defendant, DONALD J. DEVERSO, did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice, or coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct outside of the United States for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct, and did transport such visual depiction to the United States by any means, including by computer, and which visual depiction had actually been transported in interstate and foreign commerce and mail. In violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(c)(2)(B) and 2251(e). 2 EFTA00192220
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FORFEITURE 1. The allegations contained in Counts One through Three, of this Second Superceding Indictment are hereby realleged and incorporated by reference for the purpose of alleging forfeitures pursuant to the provision of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2253. 2. The defendant, Donald J. Deverso, shall forfeit to the United States of America, any visual depiction described in section 2251, 2251A, or 2252 of this chapter, or any book, magazine, periodical, film, videotape, or other matter which contains any such visual depiction, which was produced, transported, mailed, shipped or received in violation of this chapter; any property, real or personal, constituting or traceable to gross profits or other proceeds obtained from such offense; and any property, real or personal, used or intended to be used to commit or to promote the commission of offense. 3. If any of the property described above, as a result of any act or omission of the defendant: a. cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence; b. has been transferred or sold to, or deposited with, a third party; c. has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the court; d. has been substantially diminished in value; or e. has been commingled with other property which cannot be divided without difficulty, 3 EFTA00192221
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the United States of America shall be entitled to forfeiture of substitute property under the provision of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2253(o). A TRUE BILL, E•31-0i Date By: By: PAUL I. PEREZ United States Attorney Nolande G. Viacava Assistant United States Attorney Trial Counsel ert P. r ift Assistant Uni States Attorney Asset Forfeiture > gel* Assistant United States Attorney Chief, Fort Myers Division o loy N %Snaltal Dorald_205R01005sAf idiostat Jed:4p rms is 4 Cho 44AO inattiyy Foreperso0 EFTA00192222
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FORM 080.34 APR 1991 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT Middle District of Florida Fort Myers Division THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA vs. DONALD J. DEVERSO SECOND SS INDICTMENT Violations: Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2251(cX2)(B), 2251(e), 2252(a)(1), 2252(aX4)(B), 2252(bX1), and 2252(b)(2). A true bill Tr). -YY)ce3a-7( Fore erson Filed in open court this 31st day of August, A.D. 2005. Clerk Bail $ coo 863 525 EFTA00192223
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA FORT MYERS DIVISION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. DONALD J. DEVERSO CASE NO. 2:S05-cr-34-FtM-29SPC GOVERNMENT'S NOTICE OF INTENT TO INTRODUCE EVIDENCE UNDER FED. R. EVID. 4041b1 The United States of America, by Paul I. Perez, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, notifies this Honorable Court and all counsel that it intends to introduce evidence, pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 404(b), of other crimes, wrongs or acts the defendants committed before, during, and after the dates of the offenses alleged in the Indictment. 1. The Government will present evidence that the defendant took numerous trips to various countries to engage in sexual intercourse with minors. The defendant made these trips to Asian countries, according to passport records and statements of the defendant. 2. The Government will present evidence that the defendant had numerous e-mail "relationships" with a number of women, both of age and under age. The Government will present evidence that the defendant convinced these women and girls that they were his "fiancee. These women and girls include Chona Rama, a young Filipino girl, Beverly Datanagen, and others. The e-mail addresses include: daintygirl; jeandj2005; marychel; arbieanoba; honeygirl; toughgirl; promise of love; cudlyshane; and others. The Government will present computer print-out evidence of the e-mails EFTA00192224
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from the defendant that the defendant demanded sex from the women and girls in each of these "relationships" before marriage, so that: "I can be sure the marriage is a good one". There were no real "fiances"; the defendant was married and attempting to have sex with underage women. 3. The Government will present evidence the defendant showed member(s) of his family pictures of young girls upon returning from various trips out of the country, declaring he had sex with these underage women. The defendant stated he "purchased these girls for a bachelor party I threw myself'. The defendant showed member(s) of his family a CD containing bestiality. 4. The Govemment will present evidence the defendant frequently visited on-line sites: www.Dorohilez.com; www.asianteen.orq; www.asiangirls.com; www.freesexasia.com; and www.asianexoloitedteen.com. 5. The Govemment will present evidence member(s) of the defendant's family saw him viewing child pornography in the defendant's home from January 2003 up to and including this year. The defendant showed member(s) of his family child pornography, telling member(s) of his family when abroad he could have sex with "a girl of any age". 2 EFTA00192225
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6. The Government will present evidence the defendant maintains a storage facility in New York which contains downloaded child pornography. Respectfully submitted, PAUL I. PEREZ United States Attorney By: s/Douglas Molloy DOUGLAS MOLLOY Assistant United States Attorney Florida Bar No. 0316716 2110 First Street, Suite 3-137 Fort Myers, Florida 33901 Phone: (239) 461-2200 Fax: (239) 461-2219 E-Mail: douglas.mollov@usdoi.gov 3 EFTA00192226