Thorne v. United States

Appellant was convicted of attempting to “deal, play or practice the game called three-card monte” pursuant to D.C.Code 1981, § 22-1506. Appellant now, as at trial, asserts that a necessary element of the offense is a demonstrated intent by a defendant to deceive or trick. The trial court expressly rejected this claim.1 We affirm.

Appellant was arrested while engaging with pedestrians in the game of three-card monte.2 The arresting officer observed two individuals play the game with appellant before the officer himself offered a wager and, after losing, placed appellant under arrest.…