Caminetti v. U.S.; Diggs v. U.S.; Hays v. U.S.

242 U.S. 470 (1916)

Purchase the Printed Copy at bsmsphd.com

Nature of the Case

To access this section all you need to do is click here and register.

Facts

At issue in all three cases are convictions and sentencing for violation of the so-called White Slave Traffic Act of June 25, 1910, 36 Stat. 825, the judgments were affirmed by the Circuit Courts of Appeals. In the Caminetti case, the petitioner was indicted for alleged violations of the act. Caminetti transported woman from Sacramento, California, to Reno, Nevada, in interstate commerce for the purpose of debauchery, and for an immoral purpose, to wit, that the aforesaid woman should be and become his mistress and concubine. He was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment for eighteen months and to pay a fine of $ 1,500.00. Diggs was indicted on six counts. The first count charged him with transporting and causing to be transported and aiding and assisting in obtaining transportation for a certain woman from Sacramento, California, to Reno, Nevada, for the purpose of debauchery, and for an immoral purpose, to wit, that the aforesaid woman should be and become his concubine and mistress. The second count charged him with a like offense as to another woman (the companion of Caminetti) in transportation, etc., from Sacramento to Reno that she might become the mistress and concubine of Caminetti. The third count charged him (Diggs) with procuring a ticket for the first-mentioned woman from Sacramento to Reno in interstate commerce, with the intent that she should become his concubine and mistress. The fourth count made a like charge as to the girl companion of Caminetti. Upon trial and verdict of guilty on these four counts, he was sentenced to imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of $2,000.00. The judgment was affirmed by the Circuit Court of Appeals. In the Hays case, the first count charged him with having, persuaded, induced, enticed and coerced a certain woman, unmarried and under the age of eighteen years, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to the City of Wichita, Kansas, in interstate commerce and travel, for the purpose and with intent then and there to induce and coerce the said woman, and intending that she should be induced and coerced to engage in prostitution, debauchery and other immoral practices. He was sentenced to imprisonment for eighteen months. The judgment was affirmed. The Supreme Court granted certiorari. Ds contend that the act of Congress is intended to reach only 'commercialized vice,' or the traffic in women for gain and that the conduct for which the several petitioners were indicted and convicted. In none of the cases was it charged or proved that the transportation was for gain or for the purpose of furnishing women for prostitution for hire, and it is insisted that such being the case, the acts charged and proved, upon which conviction was had, do not come within the statute.