United States v. Billy Joe Gates

Gates was indicted, tried by jury, and convicted of a violation of 18 U.S.C.A. § 1461 in mailing a filthy letter to a married woman with whom he was not acquainted. We affirm.

It is not claimed that the letter served any useful purpose or had literary merit. On the contrary, the letter was couched in shocking, wildly erotic, disgustingly filthy, and prurient language. The contents of the letter are so vulgar, sordid, and provocative that we deem it improper and unnecessary to quote from it.

Gates argues that there is no distinction between the word “filthy” (as used in the indictment) and the…