United States v. John Doe

OPINION OF THE COURT

NYGAARD, Circuit Judge.

The District Court denied appellant John Doe’s Motion for Expungement of the record of his conviction under the Federal Youth Corrections Act (FYCA), 18 U.S.C. § 5005 et. seq. (1976) (repealed 1984); reasoning that § 5021 of the FYCA did not authorize federal courts to expunge criminal records. Because we believe it within the court’s power to expunge his records, we will reverse and remand.

I

While a college undergraduate student, Doe pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States of $8,736.53 in student loan proceeds — a violation of 18…