United States v. Jo-Ann Venturella, Also Known as Jo-Ann Ferretti

WESLEY, Circuit Judge:

Under 18 U.S.C. § 228 (Supp, II 2003), a person owing more than $10,000 in child support may be punished by two years’ imprisonment if she “willfully fails to pay [that child] support obligation with respect to a child who resides in another State.” 18 U.S.C. § 228(a)(3), (c)(2) (emphasis added). Jo-Ann Venturella argues the term “resides” denotes “domicile.” Specifically, she contends that the Government could not establish that she “resided” in Florida without proving she intended to live there permanently.

Background 1

Ms. Venturella and James Ferretti divorced in 1998.…