United States v. William Newton Van Fossen

BUTZNER, Circuit Judge:

The principal question on this appeal is whether the presence of William Van Fossen’s thumbprints on two photographic negatives and one engraving plate is sufficient to sustain his conviction of possessing plates with intent to use them in counterfeiting federal reserve notes and of printing and photographing likenesses of the notes in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 474 (1970).1 We hold the evidence is insufficient and reverse his conviction.

The photographic negatives and the engraving plate containing Van Fossen’s thumbprint were confiscated by Secret Service agents from…