Full Case Name:  UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. EDWARD J. TIERNEY, Defendant - Appellant.

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Country of Origin:  United States Court Name:  Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Primary Citation:  38 Fed. Appx. 424 (9th Cir. 2002) (unpub.) Date of Decision:  Tuesday, March 19, 2002 Judge Name:  (memorandum opinion) Jurisdiction Level:  Federal Alternate Citation:  2002 U.S. App. LEXIS 4635 Judges:  Before: REINHARDT NOONAN and FERNANDEZ Circuit Judges Attorneys:  For UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee: Margaret M. Stanish, Esq., USLV - OFFICE OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY, Las Vegas, NV. For EDWARD J. TIERNEY, Defendant - Appellant: Rene L. Valladares, AFPD, FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Las Vegas, NV. Docket Num:  No. 01-10187
Summary:

The district court did not err by denying the defendant's proposed entrapment instruction and that Nev. Admin. Code 504.471 is not unconstitutionally vague. He did not present evidence to support his position on either element. Rather than indicating government inducement or lack of predisposition, the evidence showed that the government merely provided the defendant with an opportunity to sell what he was already ready and willing to sell. The court also found the meaning of "wildlife" under Nevada law was not unconstitutionally vague.

 

MEMORANDUM [FN*]

 

FN* This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

**1 Defendant Edward Tierney (“Tierney”) is currently serving a three-year period of supervised probation with conditions for Unlawful Mailing of Injurious Article in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1716(a) and Unlawful Transportation and Sale of Reptile in violation of the Lacey Act, 16 U.S.C. §§ 3372(a)(2)(A) & 3373(d)(2). Tierney argues that the district court committed a reversible error by failing to allow a jury instruction on entrapment and that the Nevada state law upon which the Lacey Act offense was based was unconstitutionally vague.

The district court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. Because the parties are disputing whether the required factual foundation exists for a proposed jury instruction, this court reviews for abuse of discretion. U.S. v. Wills, 88 F.3d 704, 715 (9th Cir.1996). A district court's interpretation and construction of a statute is a question of law reviewed de novo in this circuit. Silver Sage Partners, Ltd. v. City of Desert Hot Springs, 251 F.3d 814, 819 (9th Cir.2001).

We hold that the district court did not err by denying Tierney's proposed jury instruction on entrapment and that Nevada Administrative Code 504.471 is not unconstitutionally vague.

The basic facts have already been set forth by both parties in their briefs.

A criminal defendant is entitled to a jury instruction “on any defense which provides a legal defense to the charge against him and which has some foundation in the evidence, even though the evidence may be weak, insufficient, inconsistent, or of doubtful credibility.” U.S. v. Yarbrough, 852 F.2d 1522, 1541 (9th Cir.1988). To be entitled to an entrapment instruction, Tierney must present evidence on the following two elements: (1) a government agent induced him to commit the illegal act; and (2) he was not predisposed to commit the act. U.S. v. Lee, 846 F.2d 531, 534 (9th Cir.1988).

Tierney failed to present any evidence that would support his position on either element. Rather than indicating government inducement or lack of predisposition, the evidence showed that the government merely provided Tierney with an opportunity to sell what he was already ready and willing to sell. When contacted by Croll, Tierney assured him he had a continuous supply of Nevada rattlesnakes, and he gave Croll a price list he had prepared before being approached by the government. At no point did Tierney exhibit any reluctance to consummate the transaction with Croll.

The meaning of “wildlife” as used in NAC 504.471 is not unconstitutionally vague. When read in conjunction with the Nevada Revised Statutes, it is clear that “wildlife” includes all wildlife, “whether indigenous*426 to Nevada or not.” NRS 501.097.

The decision of the district court is AFFIRMED.

C.A.9 (Nev.),2002.

 

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