Callanan v. United States

364 U.S. 587 (1961)

Facts

Callanan (D) was charged with conspiracy to obstruct commerce by extortion, and of obstructing commerce by extortion. He was convicted of each crime, and sentenced to consecutive prison terms. D appealed the conspiracy sentence. He claimed that the statute enacted by Congress was not intended to punish conspiracy and the substantive offense separately. The district court denied D's claim, and the court of appeals affirmed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.