182 F. 2d 937 - Schmokey v. United States

Schmokey was convicted on two counts of an indictment, each of which attempted to charge an offense under 18 U.S.C.A. § 660.

'Whoever, being a president, director, officer, or manager of any firm, association, or corporation engaged in commerce as a common carrier, or whoever, being an employee of such common carrier riding in or upon any * * * motortruck, * * * of such carrier moving in interstate commerce, embezzles, * * * any of the moneys, * * * of such firm, association, or corporation arising or accruing from * * * such commerce, * * * shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.' (Italics ours.)

Section 660, supra, in the new Title 18 United States Code Annotated, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, consolidated 18 U.S.C.A. § 412 and a portion of 18 U.S.C.A. § 409, as amended by the Act of July 24, 1946, 60 Stat. 656. Section 409, supra, as amended by the Act of July 24, 1946, covered embezzlement by an employee of any carrier riding in or upon any motor truck transporting property in interstate commerce, of funds arising out of, or accruing from such transportation, regardless of whether the carrier was a firm, association, or corporation, or an individual, but by the plain language of Sec. 660, supra, 'employee' is limited to employees of a firm, association, or corporation.

A criminal statute must be strictly construed and not extended in its operation to persons not within its descriptive terms or the fair and clear import of the language used.1

The proof adduced established that Burtnett was operating as a carrier under contract with Greyvan Lines, Inc., and that he provided his own equipment and his own employees and that Schmokey was an employee of Burtnett and not an employee of Greyvan Lines, Inc. We conclude, therefore, that neither count of the indictment charged an offense under Sec. 660, supra.

The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded with instructions to dismiss the indictment.