Pierce v. United States

Petitioner was convicted under an indictment charging violation of § 32 of the Criminal Code. At the time of the alleged offense it read as follows:

“Whoever, with intent to defraud either the United States or any person, shall falsely assume or pretend to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States, or any Department, or any officer of the Government thereof, and shall take upon himself to act as such, or shall in such pretended character demand or obtain from any person or from the United States, or any Department, or any officer of the Government thereof, any…