Farm equipment began disappearing from the Texas Panhandle and northeastern New Mexico. Similar tractors began appearing in Mexico. Law enforcement officers got a tip that Payan (D) was exporting stolen tractors. Authorities were put on alert at the border, and a Ancira was arrested while attempting to transport into Mexico two stolen tractors from Texas. Ancira had false invoices for the tractors made out to D as purchaser. D was arrested and indicted on one count of conspiracy to transport stolen goods in interstate commerce and fifteen counts of transportation of stolen goods in interstate and foreign commerce. D was convicted and appealed.