Here we go again: FBI setting up vendor booths at gun shows

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ep.232 (6/20/24)

SHOW NOTES AND NEWS ARTICLES 
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/arizona-man-planned-mass-shooting-targeting-african-americans-atlanta-rcna156735
WHAT IS ENTRAPMENT
The exact legal definition of entrapment can vary slightly between jurisdictions, but it is generally defined by case law and statutory provisions. In the United States, entrapment is typically defined by federal and state laws as well as judicial interpretations. The most widely recognized definition comes from the U.S. Supreme Court cases.

According to federal law, particularly as interpreted in landmark Supreme Court cases such as Sorrells v. United States (1932) and Jacobson v. United States (1992), entrapment occurs when law enforcement agents induce a person to commit a criminal offense that the person would otherwise have been unlikely to commit.

Federal Definition

Under U.S. federal law, entrapment is an affirmative defense that requires proving two elements:

1.Inducement: Government agents induced the defendant to commit the crime.
2.Lack of Predisposition: The defendant was not predisposed to commit the crime before the government’s inducement.

Case Law Definitions

•Sorrells v. United States (1932): The Supreme Court held that entrapment occurs when the criminal conduct is the product of the creative activity of law enforcement officials.
•Jacobson v. United States (1992): The Court emphasized that entrapment focuses on the intent of the defendant, concluding that government inducement and the defendant’s lack of predisposition are critical elements.

Example Statutory Definition

Many states have codified the concept of entrapment in their criminal statutes. For example, the Model Penal Code (MPC) provides a useful framework, often adopted in various forms by state legislatures:

Model Penal Code Section 2.13:
“Entrapment. A public law enforcement official or a person acting in cooperation with such an official perpetrates an entrapment if for the purpose of obtaining evidence of the commission of an offense, he induces or encourages another person to engage in conduct constituting such offense by either:
(a) making knowingly false representations designed to induce the belief that such conduct is not prohibited; or
(b) employing methods of persuasion or inducement which create a substantial risk that such an offense will be committed by persons other than those who are ready to commit it.”

Conclusion

Entrapment is a nuanced and fact-specific defense, requiring a detailed examination of the conduct of law enforcement and the defendant’s predisposition. For a specific legal definition and application, it is essential to refer to the relevant federal or state statutes and case law.

Did the FBI just entrap another American?
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/arizona-man-planned-mass-shooting-targeting-african-americans-atlanta-rcna156735

Julie Kelly spots out concerning portions of the charging documents.