Supreme Court reinstates sex trafficking, forced labor conviction of ‘S&M Svengali’
By APMonday, May 24, 2010
Court reinstates sex trafficking conviction
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court has reinstated the sex trafficking and forced labor conviction of a man dubbed the “S&M Svengali.”
The justices voted 7-1 Monday against Glenn Marcus, who was convicted after a sensational trial that dealt with mutilation and extreme humiliation.
The high court overturned a ruling by the federal appeals court in New York that Marcus’ conviction violated the Constitution because he was convicted of breaking a law, the 2000 Trafficking Victims Protection Act, that wasn’t in place when some offenses happened.
Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for the majority, said the prospect that he was convicted for acts that occurred before the law was enacted was remote and did not require throwing out Marcus’ conviction. Justice John Paul Stevens dissented.
The case is U.S. v. Marcus, 08-1341.
