US v. Ashraf, 09-4002

Conviction of a Pakistani citizen for willful failure to sign travel documents

US v. Ashraf, 09-4002, concerned a challenge to the district court's denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal and a ruling that excluded certain proof that defendant had sought to present in his defense, in a conviction of a Pakistani citizen on two counts of willful failure to sign travel documents that were necessary for his departure pursuant to a final order of removal entered in 2008.


In affirming the judgment, the court held that the government's motion to dismiss is denied as defendant's appeal is not moot.  The court also held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's motion for a judgment of acquittal as the government presented significant evidence on all of the elements of a 8 U.S.C. section 1253(a)(1)(B) offense.  Lastly, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in its evidentiary rulings.

Related Link:

• Read the Sixth Circuit's Full Decision in US v. Ashraf, 09-4002