United States v. Richard J. Cawley

STALEY, Circuit Judge.

Whether parcel post packages which were stolen from the United States mail retained their character as stolen goods after they were recovered by United States postal inspectors is the issue presented by this appeal.

Defendant Richard J. Cawley was indicted on two counts of violation of Section 1708 of Title 18 of the United States Code. 1 The first count charged defendant with buying certain parcel post packages stolen from the United States mail, knowing that the packages were stolen. The second count charged defendant with possession of the stolen packages. After trial…