United States v. Gary Sigmund Corum

HOVLAND, District Judge.

Gary Corum appeals his conviction of three counts of intentionally obstructing or attempting to obstruct the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 247(a)(2), and three counts of using a telephone to threaten to injure members or damage or destroy property of three synagogues in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(e). For the reasons stated below, we affirm.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

On July 28, 2001, Gary Corum, a Minnesota resident, left threatening messages on the voice mail systems of three synagogues in the Twin Cities area. The voice…