Under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i), the government must prove that the building was actively used in interstate commerce, as passive or minimal connections are insufficient to establish jurisdiction.
Defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit arson under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) for burning a rural church. The court examines whether the government proved the church was used in interstate commerce. Applying the three-part inquiry from Jones, the court determines that the church’s function must be actively involved in commerce. The evidence of out-of-state donations, purchased religious materials, and indirect organizational ties is too passive, minimal, and indirect to establish a substantial connection to interstate commerce. The court rejects the government’s argument that the aggregate effect of arson on church property satisfies the jurisdictional requirement for non-economic activity. Consequently, the court reverses the convictions under § 844(i) but affirms the convictions under § 844(h)(1) and the restitution order.
At page 1296 Requiring active engagement in interstate commerce for arson statute19 citing cases“allowing the government to meet the interstate commerce requirement in a prosecution under federal arson statute through only a nominal showing of a connection to interstate commerce would do as much to 'completely obliterate' the distinction between national and local authority as if no jurisdicti…”
- United States v. Ballinger, 312 F.3d 1264 (11th Cir. 2002).published Since Odom also found that the church at issue was actively used in commerce, 252 F.3d at 1295 , it is difficult to discern the basis on which the Court distinguished that case.
- United States v. Jay Scott Ballinger, 395 F.3d 1218 (11th Cir. 2002).published Since Odom also found that the church at issue was actively used in commerce, 252 F.3d at 1295 , it is difficult to discern the basis on which the Court distinguished that case.
- United States v. Willie Johnson, 42 F.4th 743 (7th Cir. 2022).published (Section 844(i) regulates non-economic activity, arson. The government, therefore, must show that this arson affects interstate commerce by showing how the function of this particular building was used in or affected in…)
- United States v. Keith Crenshaw, No. 02-4084 (8th Cir. Mar. 2, 2004).published(Allowing the government to meet the interstate commerce requirement [in a prosecution under federal arson statute] through only a nominal showing of a connection to interstate commerce would do as much to -9- 'complete…)
- United States v. Keith Bernard Crenshaw, United States of Am. v. Kamil Hakeem Johnson, United States of Am. v. Timothy Kevin McGruder, 359 F.3d 977 (8th Cir. 2004).published(Allowing the government to meet the interstate commerce requirement [in a prosecution under federal arson statute] through only a nominal showing of a connection to interstate commerce would do as much to ‘completely o…)
- United States v. John Laton, 352 F.3d 286 (6th Cir. 2003).published Terry, 257 F.3d at 369 (holding that a church "can have both a religious aspect and an economic one" when the church operated a daycare center); United States v. Grassie, 237 F.3d 1199, 1209-10 (10th Cir.2001) (acknowledging that a church'…
- United States v. Gerald Rayborn, 312 F.3d 229 (6th Cir. 2002).published (These connections to interstate commerce are too passive, too minimal and too indirect to substantially affect interstate commerce)
- United States v. Richard Morrison, 218 F. App'x 933 (11th Cir. 2007).unpublished In United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1297 (11th Cir. 2001) (citation omitted), we noted that the Morrison opinion called into doubt our suggestion in Dascenzo that “only a ‘minimal effect on interstate commerce’ was required under § 84…
- United States v. Gillespie, 452 F.3d 1183 (10th Cir. 2006).publishedAccordingly, the circuits have held that “a passive, past, or passing connection to interstate commerce,” United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1296 (11th Cir.2001), such as receiving donations from out-of-state donors, using Bibles purcha…
- United States v. Todd R. Davies, 394 F.3d 182 (3d Cir. 2005).published See, e.g., Lamont, 330 F.3d at 1256 -57 (§ 844(i) did not apply where church purchased gas, insurance, and supplies from out of state, and several churchgoers resided out of state); Rea, 300 F.3d at 962 (purchase of supplies for church ann…
Show 5 more citing cases
- Robert Allen Waucaush v. United States, 380 F.3d 251 (6th Cir. 2004).published “Allowing the government to meet the interstate commerce requirement [in a federal criminal prosecution] through only a nominal showing of a connection to interstate commerce would do as much to ‘completely obliterate’ the distinction betw…
- United States v. Laton, No. 02-5185 (6th Cir. Dec. 10, 2003).published Churches, for would fall outside the federal statute’s domain” because example, primarily serve a religious function, but churches “[p]ractically every building . . . is constructed with supplies can also have secondary and important econo…
- United States v. Drury, 344 F.3d 1089 (11th Cir. 2003).published In contrast, "[a]llowing the government to meet the interstate commerce requirement through only a nominal showing of a connection to interstate commerce would do as much to ‘completely obliterate’ the distinction between national and loca…
- United States v. Lent Christopher Carr, II, 271 F.3d 172 (4th Cir. 2001).published (finding donations from out of state, purchase of Bibles and prayer books out of state, and indirect contributions to out-of-state church organization "too passive, too minimal and too indirect to sub- stantially affect…)
- United States v. Jeremy S. Craft, 484 F.3d 922 (7th Cir. 2007).published (finding that a church which received donations from out-of-state, made purchases from out-of-state, and received indirect out-of-state contributions was not being used in an activity that affected interstate commerce be…)
At page 1298 Indictment notice requirements and verdict inconsistency11 citing casessimilar
- United States v. Calvin Shelton, 694 F. App'x 220 (5th Cir. 2017).unpublished(similar)
- United States v. Kowallek, 438 F. App'x 889 (11th Cir. 2011).unpublishedIn reviewing the sufficiency of an indictment, we have said “even an inadequate indictment satisfies due process if the defendant has actual notice [of the charges against him], such that [he] suffers no prejudice.” United States v. Odom,…
- United States v. Keith Laron Brooks, 426 F. App'x 878 (11th Cir. 2011).unpublishedIt is well settled that juries are entitled to reach compromises and that “consistency in the verdict is not necessary.” United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1298 (11th Cir.2001) (quotation omitted).
- State v. Freeney, 219 P.3d 1039 (Ariz. 2009).published(Even an inadequate indictment satisfies due process if the defendant has actual notice, so that she suffers no prejudice.)
- United States v. Dean, 606 F. Supp. 2d 1335 (M.D. Ala. 2009).publishedThe Indictment informs Mr. Dean of the criminal acts he allegedly committed. 3 Additionally, “[predicate felonies do not need to be listed in the indictment so long as the defendant has actual notice of the charge.” United States v. Odom,…
- United States v. Phillip Curtis Grace, 264 F. App'x 780 (11th Cir. 2008).unpublishedIn addition, with regard to Grace’s argument that the indictment did not indicate the specific offense to which the underlying criminal investigation related, “[predicate felonies do not need to be listed in the indictment so long as the d…
- United States v. Alberto Loya, 229 F. App'x 913 (11th Cir. 2007).unpublished(affirming defendants’ convictions for conspiracy to commit arson where defendants had been acquitted of the substantive offense of arson)
- Alston v. Donnelly, 461 F. Supp. 2d 112 (W.D.N.Y. 2006).publishedE.g., United States v. Walsh, 194 F.3d 37, 45 (2d Cir.1999) ("While a bill of particulars or discovery cannot save a 'defective indictment,' [United States v.] Panzavecc-hia, 421 F.2d [440,] 442 [(5th Cir.1970)], where the indictment has b…
- United States v. Elroy Antonio Phillips, 177 F. App'x 942 (11th Cir. 2006).unpublishedUnited States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1298 (11th Cir.2001) (citing Dunn v. United States, 284 U.S. 390, 393 , 52 S.Ct. 189 , 76 L.Ed. 356 (1932)).
- United States v. Craig Narram Williams, Jr., 177 F. App'x 914 (11th Cir. 2006).unpublishedAt any rate, it is well settled that juries are entitled to reach compromises and that “[c]onsistency in the verdict is not necessary.” United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1298 (11th Cir.2001) (quoting Dunn v. United States, 284 U.S. 390…
Show 1 more citing case
- United States v. Geno Rolle, 432 F. App'x 853 (11th Cir. 2011).unpublished(stating inconsistencies in a jury’s verdict do not open a defendant’s convictions to attack)
At page 1299 Reviewing restitution orders and conspirator withdrawal liability10 citing casesholding that if a defendant fails to challenge a restitution order at sentencing, review is for plain error only
- United States v. Frazier Todd, Jr., No. 17-11538 (11th Cir. Oct. 11, 2019).unpublished“if a defendant fails to challenge a restitution order at sentencing, she waives that objection . . . in such a case, this court reviews for plain error.”
- United States v. Kenneth Karow, No. 14-14689 (11th Cir. Jan. 31, 2018).unpublished A restitution order can hold a defendant responsible for the 30 Case: 14-14689 Date Filed: 01/31/2018 Page: 31 of 31 losses caused by the “reasonably foreseeable acts of others committed in furtherance of the conspiracy.” United States v.…
- United States v. Gadsden, 644 F. App'x 987 (11th Cir. 2016).unpublished “A conspirator’s participation in a conspiracy is presumed to continue until all activity related to the conspiracy ceases.” United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1299 (11th Cir.2001).
- United States v. Lance Brown, 517 F. App'x 657 (11th Cir. 2013).unpublishedBut when, as here, a defendant fails to object to the restitution order at sentencing, we review only for plain error. 4 United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1299 (11th Cir.2001).
- United States v. Alexis Carrazana, 362 F. App'x 973 (11th Cir. 2010).unpublished We have held that a defendant did not take affirmative acts inconsistent with a conspiracy to burn a church where she “did not put the original fire out; she did not convince the [other coconspirators] to leave [the church]; and she did no…
- United States v. Russell G. MacArthur, Jr., 323 F. App'x 880 (11th Cir. 2009).unpublishedUnited States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1299 (11th Cir.2001).
- United States v. Mellissa Thomas, 271 F. App'x 818 (11th Cir. 2007).unpublishedUnited States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1299 (11th Cir.2001).
- United States v. Svete, 556 F.3d 1157 (11th Cir. 2008).published(holding that if a defendant fails to challenge a restitution order at sentencing, review is for plain error only)
- United States v. Svete, 521 F.3d 1302 (11th Cir. 2008).published(holding that if a defendant fails to challenge a restitution order at sentencing, review is for plain error only)
- Westley Brian Cani v. United States, 331 F.3d 1210 (11th Cir. 2003).published
At page 1293 Determining interstate commerce nexus for arson statute9 citing casesdeclining to reach the question whether § 844(i) was constitutional because the church that the defendants burned down was not “used in” interstate commerce pursuant to Jones
- United States v. Ballinger, 312 F.3d 1264 (11th Cir. 2002).published Since Odom also found that the church at issue was actively used in commerce, 252 F.3d at 1295 , it is difficult to discern the basis on which the Court distinguished that case.
- United States v. Jay Scott Ballinger, 395 F.3d 1218 (11th Cir. 2002).published Since Odom also found that the church at issue was actively used in commerce, 252 F.3d at 1295 , it is difficult to discern the basis on which the Court distinguished that case.
- United States v. Willie Johnson, 42 F.4th 743 (7th Cir. 2022).published Thus, the federal arson statute at issue here, 18 U.S.C. § 844 (i), will be constitutional if its jurisdictional hook as written will successfully “limit [the statute’s] reach to a discrete set of [arsons] that … have an explicit connectio…
- United States v. Robin G. Lamont, 330 F.3d 1249 (9th Cir. 2003).published See Odom, 252 F.3d at 1295 (“The purchase and receipt of goods or services necessary for or common to the maintenance of any building, such as gas, electricity, insurance, or mortgage loans, do not prove that the function of the building i…
- United States v. Aman, 746 F. Supp. 2d 783 (E.D. Va. 2010).publishedSee United States v. Lamont, 330 F.3d 1249, 1251-57 (9th Cir.2003) (church); United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1293-97 (11th Cir.2001) (church). 6 .
- Florida State Conf. of the Nat'l Ass'n for the Advancement of Colored People v. Browning, 522 F.3d 1153 (11th Cir. 2008).published United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1293 (11th Cir.2001).
- United States v. Jay Scott Ballinger, 395 F.3d 1218 (11th Cir. 2005).publishedThe "affecting commerce" language invokes the third Lopez category — regulation of intrastate activities that substantially affect commerce. 37 The words "affecting commerce," as the Supreme Court has repeatedly explained, are "words of ar…
- Kyocera Corp. v. Prudential-Bache Trade Servs., Inc., 341 F.3d 987 (9th Cir. 2003).publishedThis principle means that "a decision on a constitutional question is appropriate only after addressing the statutory questions.” United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1293 (11th Cir.2001).
- Kyocera Corp., Plaintiff-Counter-Defendant-Appellant v. Prudential-Bache Trade Servs., Inc., Dba Prudential-Bache Trade Corp. Prudential Capital & Inv. Servs., Inc. Lapine Tech. Corp. Lapine Holding Co., Defendants-Counter-Claimants-Appellees. Lapine Tech. Corp. v. Kyocera Corp., Lapine Tech. Corp., Plaintiff-Counter-Claim-Defendant-Appellee. v. Kyocera Corp., Defendant-Counter-Claimant-Plaintiff-Appellant v. Prudential-Bache Trade Servs., Inc., Dba Prudential-Bache Trade Corp. Prudential Capital & Inv. Servs., Inc., Defendants-Counter-Claimants-Appellees, 341 F.3d 987 (9th Cir. 2003).publishedThis principle means that "a decision on a constitutional question is appropriate only after addressing the statutory questions." United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1293 (11th Cir.2001).
At page 1294 Determining building function and commerce for statute application6 citing casesChurches are not commonly considered a business enterprise; nonetheless, churches can and do engage in commerce.
- United States v. John Laton, 352 F.3d 286 (6th Cir. 2003).published (Churches are not commonly considered a business enterprise; nonetheless, churches can and do engage in commerce.)
- United States v. Gerald Rayborn, 312 F.3d 229 (6th Cir. 2002).published Jones v. United States, 529 U.S. 848, 855 , 120 S.Ct. 1904 , 146 L.Ed.2d 902 (2000); see, e.g., Odom, 252 F.3d at 1296-97 ("These connections to interstate commerce are too passive, too minimal and too indirect to substantially affect inte…
- United States v. Pedro Sanchez, No. 19-11283 (11th Cir. Apr. 2, 2020).unpublished“This determination involves a three-part inquiry: (1) What is the function of the building? (2) Is the function of the building involved in commerce? (3) Does the commerce in which the building is involved sufficiently affect interstate c…
- United States v. Laton, No. 02-5185 (6th Cir. Dec. 10, 2003).published Churches, for would fall outside the federal statute’s domain” because example, primarily serve a religious function, but churches “[p]ractically every building . . . is constructed with supplies can also have secondary and important econo…
- United States v. Harvey Andrew Rea, 300 F.3d 952 (8th Cir. 2002).publishedSee United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1294 (11th Cir.) (“The ... ‘commerce’ of a church involves the solicitation and receipts of donations, and the provision of spiritual, social, community, educational ... and other charitable servic…
- United States v. Laton, 180 F. Supp. 2d 948 (W.D. Tenn. 2002).published
At page 1295 Determining church commerce through activities and maintenance3 citing casesThe purchase and receipt of goods or services necessary for or common to the maintenance of any building, such as gas, electricity, insurance, or mortgage loans, do not prove that the function of the building is to engage in commerce.
- United States v. Ballinger, 312 F.3d 1264 (11th Cir. 2002).published Since Odom also found that the church at issue was actively used in commerce, 252 F.3d at 1295 , it is difficult to discern the basis on which the Court distinguished that case.
- United States v. Jay Scott Ballinger, 395 F.3d 1218 (11th Cir. 2002).published Since Odom also found that the church at issue was actively used in commerce, 252 F.3d at 1295 , it is difficult to discern the basis on which the Court distinguished that case.
- United States v. Robin G. Lamont, 330 F.3d 1249 (9th Cir. 2003).published (The purchase and receipt of goods or services necessary for or common to the maintenance of any building, such as gas, electricity, insurance, or mortgage loans, do not prove that the function of the building is to eng…)
At page 1297 Analyzing aggregation of non-economic activity's effect on interstate commerce1 citing case“these connections to interstate commerce are too passive, too minimal and too indirect to substantially affect interstate commerce”
- United States v. Richard Morrison, 218 F. App'x 933 (11th Cir. 2007).unpublished In United States v. Odom, 252 F.3d 1289, 1297 (11th Cir. 2001) (citation omitted), we noted that the Morrison opinion called into doubt our suggestion in Dascenzo that “only a ‘minimal effect on interstate commerce’ was required under § 84…
At page 1291 Defining the scope of church business and commerce1 citing case
- United States v. Ballinger, 153 F. Supp. 2d 1361 (N.D. Ga. 2001).published The ‘business’ or ‘commerce’ of a church involves the solicitation and receipt of donations, and the provision of spiritual, social, community, educational (religious or non-religious) and other charitable services.” United States v. Odom,…
Other citing cases
- United States v. Gene A. Tyrrell, 269 F. App'x 922 (11th Cir. 2008).unpublished
v.
Alan ODOM, Brandy Nicole Boone, Defendants-Appellants
Defendants-Appellants Brandy Boone and Alan Odom appeal from their criminal convictions for conspiracy to commit arson and for conspiracy to use fire to commit a felony prosecutable in a United States court. Both Defendants challenge their conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i), contending that the United States failed to prove that St. Joseph’s Baptist Church,' the church which the Defendants were convicted of burning, had a sufficient connection to interstate commerce. Both Defendants also challenge their conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1), contending that the indictment insufficiently defined the elements of the offense and the jury’s verdict was inconsistent. Defendant Boone also challenges the order requiring her to pay restitution. For the reasons stated below, we reverse the conviction under § 844(i) and affirm on all other counts.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Statement of Facts
On the evening of June 30, 1997, Defendants-Appellants Odom and Boone attended a party in Little River, Alabama, a rural community in southern Alabama. The partygoers, including Boone and Odom, consumed a large quantity of alcohol. Around 10 or 11 p.m., a number of the partygoers, including Odom and Boone, left the party in three vehicles with the purpose of finding an abandoned car and setting it on fire. The group obtained gasoline from a local service station and then went in search of an abandoned car. After being unable to locate the abandoned car, the three vehicles pulled up alongside one another at an intersection and Boone suggested “Let’s burn the nigger church.”
All three vehicles drove directly from the intersection to St. Joseph’s Baptist Church, which was just down the road. Odom and Michael Woods broke into the church and set fire to a sofa and some curtains. One of the partygoers convinced the others to extinguish the fire and not burn down the church. After extinguishing this fire, all of the partygoers left the church grounds. Unbeknownst to Boone or the others, Odom and Woods returned in a short time to finish the job they started — to burn down the church — which they successfully accomplished.
B. Proceedings Below
A grand jury in the Southern District of Alabama issued a ten count indictment charging Odom, Boone and others with conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States (18 U.S.C. § 371), damaging religious property because of the religious character of the property (18 U.S.C. § 247(a)(1)), use of fire or explosive to commit a felony prosecutable in federal court (18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1)), damage or destruction by means of fire or explosive of any property used in interstate commerce or in any activity affecting interstate commerce (18 U.S.C. § 844(f)) and aiding and abetting an offense against the United States (18 U.S.C. § 2).
At trial, the government presented the following evidence of St. Joseph’s Baptist Church’s connection to interstate commerce: (1) one Bible, three hymnals and an unspecified number of Sunday School materials in the church had been purchased from the National Baptist Publishing Board in Nashville, Tennessee; (2) natural gas used to heat the church was purchased in Alabama, but originated in Mississippi; (3) the church received donations from the pastor’s brother and sister-in-law who reside in Detroit, Michigan; (4) the church was a dues-paying member of the First Eastern Shore Missionary Baptist Church Association, an intrastate church association, which, in turn, chose delegates to attend the Alabama State Baptist Convention, which, in turn, chose[*1293] delegates to attend the National Baptist Convention. There was no evidence that any member of St. Joseph’s congregation had ever been elected to attend the state or national conventions. There was no evidence that any interstate traveler had ever visited St. Joseph’s Church.
After the government produced all of its evidence supporting the interstate commerce nexus, defense counsel moved for judgment of acquittal on the § 844(i) count contending that the government had failed to present sufficient evidence of the requisite nexus to interstate commerce. The trial court held that the principles of United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549, 115 S.Ct. 1624, 131 L.Ed.2d 626 (1995) did not apply and that the government had met its jurisdictional burden.
The jury returned a verdict convicting Odom of conspiracy to violate 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) and 844(h)(1) and, in two separate counts, of violating and attempting to violate both of those statutes. The jury found Boone guilty of conspiring to violate 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) and conspiring to willfully use fire to commit a felony prosecutable in a United States court under 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. After the jury verdict, defense counsel moved to set aside the jury’s verdict with respect to the § 844(h)(1) conspiracy conviction on the ground that the verdict was inconsistent. The district court denied that motion.
Pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2K1.4, which has a guideline range of 33-41 months (offense level 20, criminal history category I), the district court sentenced Boone to 41 months imprisonment, followed by a three-year supervised release term with the special condition of 300 hours of community service. The court also ordered Boone to pay $96,836 restitution to St. Joseph’s Baptist Church jointly and severally with three co-defendants.
II. DISCUSSION
A. Section 8kl(i) & Interstate Commerce Requirement
Defendants Odom and Boone challenge the application of 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) to the arson of St. Joseph’s Baptist Church contending that an insufficient connection exists between the arson of St. Joseph’s Church and interstate commerce for the statute to be constitutionally applied. “A fundamental and longstanding principle of judicial restraint requires that courts avoid reaching constitutional questions in advance of the necessity of deciding them.” Lyng v. Northwest Indian Cemetery Protective Ass’n, 485 U.S. 439, 445, 108 S.Ct. 1319, 99 L.Ed.2d 534 (1988). This principle requires that a decision on a constitutional question is appropriate only after addressing the statutory questions. Id. at 446, 108 S.Ct. 1319. Thus, here, we must determine whether the government met its burden under § 844(i) before addressing whether the statutory requirements satisfy the interstate commerce clause of the Constitution.
Section 844 prohibits the malicious damaging or destroying or attempting to damage or destroy, by means of fire or explosive, any building used in interstate commerce or in any activity affecting interstate commerce. 18 U.S.C. § 844(i). The Supreme Court recently clarified in Jones v. United States, 529 U.S. 848, 120 S.Ct. 1904, 146 L.Ed.2d 902 (2000), that the qualifying words “used in” signaled that Congress did not invoke its full authority under the Commerce Clause. Id. at 1909-10. Section 844(i) does not cover the destruction of buildings whose damage might affect interstate commerce. Id. at 1910. Rather § 844(i) is limited to buildings used in interstate commerce. Id. Therefore, § 844(i) requires the government to prove that St. Joseph’s Church was used in interstate commerce or an activity affecting interstate commerce.
[*1294] The Jones court set forth the method to determine whether damage or destruction of a building is properly prosecutable under § 844(i). Id. The proper inquiry “is into the function of the building itself, and then a determination of whether that function affects interstate commerce.” Id. (quoting United States v. Ryan, 9 F.3d 660, 675 (8th Cir.1993) (Arnold, C.J., concurring in part and dissenting in part)). This determination involves a three-part inquiry: (1) What is the function of the building? (2) Is the function of the building involved in commerce? (3) Does the commerce in which the building is involved sufficiently affect interstate commerce?
1. Function of the Building
There is no dispute that building owned by St. Joseph’s Church functioned as a church. The congregation used this building for regular worship services one Sunday a month, Sunday school classes on a weekly basis and Bible studies and prayer meetings one night each week. Additionally, regular choir practices and occasional funerals were held in the church. To enable the church to perform these functions, St. Joseph’s Church (1) purchased one Bible, three hymnals and an unspecified number of Sunday School materials from the National Baptist Publishing Board in Tennessee; (2) used natural gas that originated in Mississippi; (3) received donations from out-of-state; and (4) paid dues to an intrastate organization which in turn was part of an interstate organization.
2. Involvement in Commerce
The legislative history of § 844(i) reveals that the statute was crafted specifically to include some non-business property such as police stations and churches. Russell v. United States, 471 U.S. 858, 860, 105 S.Ct. 2455, 85 L.Ed.2d 829 (1985). While § 844(i) excludes no particular type of building, the property must be “actively employ[ed] for commercial purposes.” Jones, 120 S.Ct. at 1910. The question here is whether St. Joseph’s Church was sufficiently involved in interstate commerce so that the destruction of this church is covered by § 844(i).
Churches are not commonly considered a business enterprise; nonetheless, churches can and do engage in commerce. The “business” or “commerce” of a church involves the solicitation and receipt of donations, and the provision of spiritual, social, community, educational (religious or non-religious) and other charitable services. See, e.g., United States v. Grassie, 237 F.3d 1199, 1204 (10th Cir.2001) (explaining how the church buildings were used for a broad range of religious, cultural, social, recreational, educational and financial activities). The question of whether a building is used in commerce or affects commerce does not turn merely on whether the activity is engaged in for a profit. Cf. Camps Newfound/Owatonna v. Town of Ramson, 520 U.S. 564, 584-85, 117 S.Ct. 1590, 137 L.Ed.2d 852 (1997) (concluding that the commerce clause applies to charitable and non-profit entities). To require a profit motive would exclude not only universities, museums, schools, think tanks, police and fire stations, but also many hospitals, trade and professional organizations, lobbying organizations, and the non-profit, non-governmental organizations that epitomize commerce and capitalism: stock [1] and commodity [2] exchanges[*1295] and the World Trade Organization. [3] Cf id. at 585, 117 S.Ct. 1590; Grassie, 237 F.3d 1199, 1210 a. 7. In general, churches engage in activities and provide services to their members, to their community and to the public at large; churches solicit contributions to provide these services; and they purchase goods necessary to provide these services. Accordingly, the evidence proving that a church building is used in or affects interstate commerce must relate to these activities-i.e. whereby it engages in activities relating to its "business" as a church.
The purchase and receipt of goods or services necessary for or common to the maintenance of any building, such as gas, electricity, insurance, or mortgage loans, do not prove that the function of the building is to engage in commerce. See Jones, 120 S.Ct. at 1910-11. Just as the Jones Court determined that the purchase of natural gas could not rise to level of a private home being “used in or affecting commerce,” id., so too here, the mere receipt of natural gas, whether intrastate or interstate, is insufficient to show that St. Joseph’s Church was used in an activity affecting commerce. On the other hand, the receipt of donations, the purchase of hymnals and payment of dues are the type of commercial activities by which a church would conduct its business as a church, and therefore, engage in commerce.
3. Involvement in Interstate Commerce
The mere engagement in commercial activities may not necessarily provide the requisite nexus between the function of the building and interstate commerce. See United States v. Ryan, 227 F.3d 1058, 1061 (8th Cir.2000) (explaining that a commercial building must still have an active connection to interstate commerce to be covered by § 844(i)); see, e.g., id. at 1062-63 (concluding a vacant former commercial establishment failed to create a sufficient interstate commerce nexus under § 844(i)); United States v. Rea, 223 F.3d 741, 743 (8th Cir.2000) (finding that merely because the building is church property does not mean that it meets the interstate commerce requirement for § 844(i)).
“[I]t is appropriate to avoid the constitutional question that would arise” if § 844(i) were construed to extend to local criminal conduct. Jones, 120 S.Ct. at 1912. To avoid a constitutional problem requires interpretation of § 844(i) in accord with the requirements of the Commerce Clause. Cf. id. The Jones Court specifically instructed that § 844(i) should be construed, in accordance with United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549, 567, 115 S.Ct. 1624, 131 L.Ed.2d 626 (1995), to require a distinction between what is truly national and what is truly local. Jones, 120 S.Ct. at 1911-12.
The presence of a jurisdictional element in § 844(i) enabled the Court in Jones to avoid a constitutional commerce clause analysis mandated by Lopez. Id. at 1912; see also Lopez, 514 U.S. at 562, 115 S.Ct. 1624 (explaining that a statute’s jurisdictional element might establish that the legislation was limited to “specific” incidents with explicit connections to interstate commerce). In construing a statute such as § 844(i), courts should presume, absent clear evidence to the contrary, that Congress did not intend to obliterate the distinction between national and local authority. Id. Therefore, the statute must be interpreted in such a way so it does not[*1296] encompass “paradigmatic common-law state crime.” Id.
Allowing the government to meet the interstate commerce requirement through only a nominal showing of a connection to interstate commerce would do as much to “completely obliterate” the distinction between national and local authority as if no jurisdictional requirement existed at all. See Andrew St. Laurent, Reconstituting United States v. Lopez: Another Look at Federal Criminal Law, 31 Colum. J.L. & Soc. Probs. 61, 112 (1998) (“A purely nominal jurisdictional requirement ... does nothing to prevent the shifting of the [federal-state] balance ... [a]s virtually all criminal actions ... involve the use of some object that has passed through interstate commerce.”); see also Jones, 120 S.Ct. at 1911 (warning that if minimal connections to interstate commerce sufficed to trigger § 844(i), the language “used in” would have no office); Morrison, 120 S.Ct. at 1752 (advising of the importance of maintaining a distinction between national and local interests). The presence of a jurisdictional element may preserve the constitutionality of the statute so long as a case-by-case analysis requires sufficient proof of a connection to interstate commerce. Otherwise, Congress could circumvent the requirement of the Constitution’s interstate commerce clause by inserting a jurisdictional element into every statute and allowing the government to rely on the most minimal proof of that element.
Rather, § 844(i) requires that covered property is employed actively, not merely in commerce, but in interstate commerce. Ryan, 227 F.3d at 1062 (explaining that the building must be actively employed in interstate commerce at the time of the fire). A federal statute may regulate purely intrastate activity without demonstrating its specific impact on interstate commerce, only if it regulates economic activity. Morrison, 120 S.Ct. at 1750; United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549, 559-61, 115 S.Ct. 1624, 131 L.Ed.2d 626 (1995). Section 844(i) regulates non-economic activity, arson. The government, therefore, must show that this arson affects interstate commerce by showing how the function of this particular building was used in or affected interstate commerce.
To be considered actively employed in interstate commerce, the function of a building must have more than a passive, past, or passing connection to interstate commerce. Jones, 120 S.Ct. at 1910. The Jones court observed every building is constructed with supplies that have moved in interstate commerce. Id. Likewise, every building, every business, and every person in the nation, has received money or goods that traveled in interstate commerce or is a member of some organization that directly or indirectly is involved in interstate commerce. Thus, to meet the jurisdictional requirement, the government must show that the function of the property involves the active engagement in commerce and the property either has a direct and regular connection to interstate commerce, see, e.g., Grassie, 237 F.3d at 1212 (finding “a settled, regular pattern” of use of truck in interstate commerce sufficed although not actively employed in interstate commerce at the “precise time of the arson”), or a substantial connection to interstate commerce, see, e.g., United States v. Gaydos, 108 F.3d 505, 510 (3d Cir.1997) (explaining that significant connections to out-of-state factors could satisfy the interstate commerce nexus under § 844(i)).
Here, the government offered evidence that the church engaged in interstate commerce by (1) receiving donations from two out-of-state donors, (2) utilizing a handful of Bibles and prayer books that had been purchased from an out-of-state source, and (3) indirectly contributing to[*1297] an out-of-state church organization through its membership in the in-state church organization. These “connections” to interstate commerce are too passive, too minimal and too indirect to substantially affect interstate commerce.
Alternatively, the government contends that even if the link between the arson of St. Joseph’s Church in particular and interstate commerce is insufficient, the aggregate effect of arson of church property suffices if it substantially impacts interstate commerce. Indeed, in United States v. Dascenzo, 152 F.3d 1300 (11th Cir.1998), this Court suggested that only a “minimal effect on interstate commerce” was required under § 844(i) so long as the effect of arson on the particular type of property had an aggregate effect on interstate commerce. Id. at 1302-03. Because arson of church property substantially affects interstate commerce in the aggregate, the government contends that this statute is properly applied to the arson of St. Joseph’s Church.
Yet, in United States v. Morrison, 529 U.S. 598, 120 S.Ct. 1740, 146 L.Ed.2d 658 (2000), the Supreme Court expressed great doubt as to whether aggregation should apply to any non-economic activity. See id. at 1751. While the Court declined to adopt a per se rule against aggregating the effects of any non-economic activity, the Court observed that thus far, aggregation had only been upheld in cases where the regulated activity was economic in nature. Id.; e.g., Katzenbach v. McClung, 379 U.S. 294, 85 S.Ct. 377, 13 L.Ed.2d 290 (1964) (upholding regulation of restaurant’s discriminatory commercial practice because of aggregate affect created a highly restrictive effect on interstate travel); Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States, 379 U.S. 241, 85 S.Ct. 348, 13 L.Ed.2d 258 (1964) (same regarding hotel’s discriminatory practice); Wickard v. Filburn, 317 U.S. 111, 63 S.Ct. 82, 87 L.Ed. 122 (1942) (sustaining regulation of manufacture of wheat because of aggregate effect on wheat production). The purpose of aggregation is to allow regulation of purely intrastate activity where the absence of such regulation would undercut a larger economic regulatory scheme affecting interstate commerce. Lopez, 514 U.S. at 561, 115 S.Ct. 1624. No regulatory scheme regulating an economic activity is present here.
Regarding non-economic criminal activity, the Morrison court clearly rejected Congress’ ability to “regulate [such] conduct based solely on that conduct’s aggregate effect on interstate commerce.” Id. Thus, if the government cannot meet the jurisdictional requirement in a criminal statute regulating non-economic activity, it may not rely on the aggregate effect of that conduct. Accordingly, here the government may not rely on the aggregate effect of arson on churches to establish the requisite nexus with St. Joseph’s Baptist Church.
The Government has failed to set forth sufficient evidence establishing that St. Joseph’s Baptist Church, the building destroyed by Defendants’ act of arson, was used in or affected interstate commerce according to the requirements of § 844(i). Accordingly, Defendants’ convictions under § 844(i) are reversed.
B. Vagueness of the Indictment
Defendant Boone challenges Count I of the indictment, which charges her with conspiracy to use fire to commit a felony prosecutable in a federal court violating § 844(h)(1). Defendant Boone contends that because Count I does not specify in which predicate felony, § 247(a)(1), § 247(c) or § 844(i), the government alleged Boone used fire to violate § 844(h)(1), Count I was unconstitutionally vague.
[*1298] Due process requires an indictment to provide notice sufficient to allow the defendant to prepare an adequate defense. United States v. Lehder-Rivas, 955 F.2d 1510, 1519 (11th Cir.1992). Predicate felonies do not need to be listed in the indictment so long as the defendant has actual notice of the charge. Id.; see also United States v. Johnson, 982 F.2d 1192, 1197 (8th Cir.1992); United States v. Zavala, 839 F.2d 523, 527 (9th Cir.1988). Even an inadequate indictment satisfies due process if the defendant has actual notice, so that she suffers no prejudice. United States v. Becton, 751 F.2d 250, 257 (7th Cir.1984).
In this case, Count I sets forth all of the underlying facts concerning the three felonies which the government charged the defendants with conspiring to commit by use of fire in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1): (1) intentional damage to religious real property in and affecting interstate commerce based on its religious character, 18 U.S.C. § 247(a)(1); (2) intentional damage to religious real property because of the race and color of individuals associated with the property, 18 U.S.C. § 247(c); and (3) malicious damage by fire of a building used in interstate commerce, 18 U.S.C. § 844(i). Defendant Boone knew that she was charged with conspiring to set fire to St. Joseph’s Baptist Church. Counts IV charged one predicate felony as a separate substantive count and Count V specified two of the predicate felonies. Therefore, Boone does not and cannot claim that she did not have notice of these felonies or that she was unable to mount a defense to these felonies. Accordingly, the indictment was not unconstitutionally vague.
C. Inconsistent Verdicts
Defendants Boone and Odom challenge the jury’s verdict convicting them of conspiracy to violate 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1), but acquitting them of violating the underlying predicate felonies as inconsistent verdicts. Nearly seventy years ago, Justice Holmes, writing for the Supreme Court, explained: “Consistency in the verdict is not necessary.” Dunn v. United States, 284 U.S. 390, 393, 52 S.Ct. 189, 76 L.Ed. 356 (1932). As each count in an indictment is regarded as a separate indictment, merely the jury’s choice to acquit on one charge does not have a res judicata effect on any other separate count. Id. Justice Holmes further explained that “[t]he most that can be said [of an inconsistent verdict] is that the verdict shows that either in the acquittal or the convictions the jury did not speak their real conclusions, but that does not show that they were not convinced of the defendant’s guilt.” Id. In other words, the jury compromised.
This principle was more recently affirmed by United States v. Powell, 469 U.S. 57, 105 S.Ct. 471, 88 L.Ed.2d 461 (1984). In Powell, the defendant was charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and using the telephone in committing and facilitating certain felonies-i.e. conspirac.y to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. Id. at 60, 105 S.Ct. 471. The jury acquitted the defendant of the former, but convicted her of the latter. Id. The Supreme Court held the rule set forth in Dunn even applies to verdicts, such as the one here, that acquit on a predicate offense while convicting on the compound offense. Id. at 64, 105 S.Ct. 471. Defendants' convictions for conspiring to violate 18 U.S.C. § 844(h)(1) in rio-lation of 18 U.S.C. § 371 will stand regardless of their acquittal on any or all of the other counts. Accordingly, Defendants Boone's and Odom's convictions under this count. are affirmed.
D. Restitution
Defendant Boone challenges the district court’s ordering her to pay, jointly and[*1299] severally with Odom and others, over $96,000 in restitution to St. Joseph’s Baptist Church. Defendant Boone claims that the facts establish that she withdrew from the conspiracy and therefore, do not support the district court’s restitution order.
Ordinarily, this Court reviews a district court’s restitution order for abuse of discretion. United States v. Davis, 117 F.3d 459, 462 (11th Cir.1997). If a defendant fails to challenge a restitution order at sentencing, she waives that objection. Id. In such a case, this Court reviews for plain error. Id. Defendant Boone admits that she did not raise the issue below and we accordingly review for plain error.
A restitution order may order payment of losses consistent with the common law of conspiracy. Namely, a defendant convicted of participation in a conspiracy is liable not only for her own acts, but also those reasonably foreseeable acts of others committed in furtherance of the conspiracy. Id. at 462-63. A participant remains liable until the conspiracy ends or the participant withdraws. Id. Here, Boone contends that she withdrew from the conspiracy once she left the church and that it was unforeseeable that Odom and others would return to the church to continue the arson of the church.
A conspirator’s participation in a conspiracy is presumed to continue until all activity related to the conspiracy ceases. United States v. Starrett, 55 F.3d 1525, 1550 (11th Cir.1995). Consequently, a defendant has the burden of proving (1) that she took affirmative acts inconsistent with the object of the conspiracy and (2) communicated those acts or her desire to withdraw to her co-conspirators (or disclosed the scheme to law enforcement). United States v. United States Gypsum, 438 U.S. 422, 464-466, 98 S.Ct. 2864, 57 L.Ed.2d 854 (1978)(emphasis added); Starrett, 55 F.3d at 1550. The presumption here is that the conspiracy to burn the church continued. Merely leaving the church grounds did not necessarily end the conspiracy, nor her participation in the conspiracy. Boone took no affirmative acts inconsistent with the conspiracy: she did not put the original fire out; she did not convince the others to leave; and she did not announce to the others that she had changed her mind about the original plan to “burn the nigger church.” She is, therefore, appropriately liable for the acts of the other members of the conspiracy. Accordingly, the district court’s restitution order holding Boone jointly and severally liable with the other conspirators is appropriate and affirmed.
III. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we reverse Appellants’ convictions under § 844(i) because the government failed to present sufficient proof that St. Joseph’s Church was used in or affected interstate commerce. We affirm the Appellants’ convictions under 844(h)(1) because the indictment was not unconstitutionally vague nor the verdict inconsistent. Finally, we affirm the district court’s restitution order because Appellant Boone failed to establish that she withdrew from the conspiracy; therefore, Boone is jointly and severally liable for the acts of her co-conspirators.
AFFIRMED in PART, REVERSED in PART.
. See, e.g., NYSE, About the NYSE, at http:// www.nyse.com/about/about.html (last visited Feb. 7, 2001). The New York Stock Exchange has been an incorporated non-profit corporation since 1971. Id.
. See, e.g., Chicago Board of Trade, About CBOT, at http://www.cbot.com/cboi/www/ page/0,1398,10 +10 + 83,00.html (last visited May 14, 2001). The Chicago Board of Trade, the world's oldest commodity futures ex[*1295] change, presently operates as self-governing, self-regulated, not-for-profit, non-stock corporation. Id.
. See World Trade Organization, What is the World Trade Organization, at http:// www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/ factl_e.htm (last visited Feb. 7, 2001).