United States v. Shane Olney

MEMORANDUM ***

Shane Olney appeals his conviction for sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an unlawful animal fighting venture, 7 U.S.C. § 2156(a)(1); 18 U.S.C. § 2. He contends that the district court lacked jurisdiction and that the criminal statute, as applied to him, violates his free exercise rights under the First Amendment. We review both contentions de novo. See United States v. Begay, 42 F.3d 486, 497 (9th Cir. 1994); United States v. Ward, 989 F.2d 1015, 1017 (9th Cir. 1992). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

1. We reject Olney’s challenge to the district…