Bell v. United States

Once more it becomes necessary to determine “What Congress has made the allowable unit of prosecution,” United States v. Universal C. I. T. Credit Corp., 344 U. S. 218, 221, under a statute which does not explicitly give the answer. This recurring problem now arises under *82what is familiarly known as the Mann Act. The relevant provisions of the Act in its present form are:

“Whoever knowingly transports in interstate or foreign commerce . . . any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose ....

“Shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned…