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Novel use of the Hobbs Act
There is a federal statute known as the Hobbs Act, which prohibits use of violence to interfere with interstate or international commerce.
In the prosecution of the killers of Agent Terry, the government charges the defendants with violating this statute .....
That is, charges them with unlawfully interfering with the smuggling of drugs!
· BATFE
Comments
would arresting drug smugglers be considered interfering with international commerce?
Posted by: gene at July 12, 2012 07:33 PM
So, the fix is in for the Brian Terry murderers? Charging them with a BS crime?
What does Holder have on O-useless?
Posted by: flighterdoc at July 12, 2012 07:46 PM
Wouldn't this also mean most law enforcement officers are in violation of the Act? Take driving, for example. Using federal attorney logic, the act of driving a vehicle is part and parcel of interstate commerce since the vehicle requires fuel that has been transported interstate. Q.E.D., any "stop" or other interference by police places them in violation.
Posted by: CarlS at July 12, 2012 11:53 PM
The drug smugglers would have been subject to their own criminal violations.
What the government is saying, is that by interfering in illegal commerce you are doing work reserved exclusively to law enforcement.
You have no right to interfere with illegal commerce. Along with a monopoly on violence, that power is exclusively reserved to the government and not the people.
Posted by: Jim D. at July 13, 2012 10:49 AM