U.S. v. Sawyer

In prosecution on sex trafficking charge under 18 USC section 1591(a), Dist. Ct. did not err in giving jury instruction that explained that govt. had to prove beyond reasonable doubt that defendant’s conduct affected interstate commerce, since said instruction was accurate statement of law. Moreover, defendant was not entitled to instruction that required govt. to show that he actually knew or intended that his sex trafficking conduct affected interstate commerce since interstate commerce element of section 1591(a) offense has no mens re requirement.