United States v. Bernell Brown

I

Bernell Brown (Brown) was convicted of two counts of acquiring United States Department of Agriculture food stamps in an unauthorized manner. 7 U.S.C. § 2024(b), 18 U.S.C. § 2. He appeals his conviction, contending that the district court erred in allowing the jury to examine sample food stamps which had not been authenticated or introduced into evidence. He also asserts that the district court’s charge to the jury was inadequate. We affirm.

II

Brown was employed at a supermarket in New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked for a succession of owners. In the spring of 1987, agents of the Department of…