United States v. Michael Bonin

In the
United States Court of Appeals
For the Seventh Circuit
____________________
No. 18‐1479
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff‐Appellee,
v.
MICHAEL BONIN,
Defendant‐Appellant.
____________________
Appeal from the United States District Court for the
Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
No. 15 cr 22‐1 — Robert W. Gettleman, Judge.
____________________
ARGUED FEBRUARY 7, 2019 — DECIDED JULY 26, 2019
____________________
Before BAUER, HAMILTON, and BRENNAN, Circuit Judges.
BRENNAN, Circuit Judge. Justice Holmes introduced a
mainstay of First Amendment jurisprudence when he wrote:
“The most stringent protection of free speech would not pro‐
tect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theatre and causing a
panic.” Schenck v. United States, 249 U.S. 47, 52 (1919). A cen‐
tury later, Michael Bonin brings us back to a theater to exam‐
ine the limits of protected speech.
2 No. 18‐1479
After fellow moviegoers asked Bonin to stop talking on his
phone during a film, Bonin scolded the audience, said he was
a U.S. Marshal speaking with “the government,” flashed a
gun on his belt, and threatened “anyone [who] had a problem
with it, they could take it out in the hall.” Panicked patrons
called 911 and theater security in response. Everyone now
knows Bonin is not a U.S. Marshal, but when police arrived,
Bonin convinced them too that he was, and they allowed him
to reenter the theater. Such a second chance usually preludes
a character arc, but not in this story. As Bonin walked to his
seat, he raised his arms, again exposed his gun, and bellowed,
“See, I told you I’m a U.S. Marshal.” Moments later, police
returned and removed him from the theater.
Bonin’s ruse resulted in an indictment under 18 U.S.C.
§ 912. That statute makes it a crime to impersonate an officer
or employee of the United States. A jury found Bonin guilty.
He now claims § 912 is an unconstitutional restriction on free
speech and challenges multiple evidentiary rulings and jury
instructions. Because none of his claims offer any reason to
reverse the jury verdict, we affirm.
I
The events described above occurred in 2014 at the AMC
River East theater in Chicago.1 Brian Reidy, an off‐duty
Chicago police officer moonlighting as theater security, re‐
sponded first and asked Bonin to step out into the hallway.
Reidy observed that Bonin openly wore a gold badge and gun
on his belt. When Reidy asked Bonin about his employment,
Bonin again falsely claimed to be a U.S. Marshal. Bonin also
1 We recount the facts in the light reasonably most favorable to the
jury’s verdict. Murphy v. Smith, 844 F.3d 653, 655 (7th Cir. 2016).
No. 18‐1479 3
told Reidy this was his “first night off” after “working many
months.”
Minutes later, Chicago police officer Brenda Guillory ar‐
rived in response to a 911 call about a person in a theater caus‐
ing a disturbance with a gun. Two more police officers
responded as backup. As Guillory approached Bonin, she saw
that he wore a “full duty belt” typically worn by law enforce‐
ment with a gun, magazine, and badge on it. Guillory’s con‐
cerns were “relaxed,” however, after Bonin told her that he
was a U.S. Marshal. Bonin also gave Guillory his driver’s li‐
cense and photo identification classifying him as a “U.S.
Fugitive Enforcement Agent” for the “U.S. Fugitive Enforce‐
ment Bureau.” The identification card also contained a “star”
logo with the words “U.S. Investigations.” Similarly, Bonin’s
gold badge read, “U.S. Fugitive Enforcement Bureau,” with
the Seal of the United States and “The United States of Amer‐
ica” imprinted in the center.
Guillory ran a check on Bonin’s driver’s license, which re‐
vealed no outstanding warrants and Bonin’s valid concealed
carry license. The exchange between Guillory and Bonin
lasted about ten to fifteen minutes. Because police and theater
security believed Bonin was a U.S. Marshal, they allowed him
back into the movie and asked him to keep quiet for the rest
of the night.
Bonin immediately ignored the instruction. As he reen‐
tered the theater, he raised his arms above his head, displayed
his gun, and blustered, “See, I told you I’m a U.S. Marshal.”
One moviegoer ran out of the theater and told Reidy that
Bonin returned boasting, “I’m a U.S. [expletive] Marshal, and
there’s nothing you can do about it.” Another patron, Patrick
4 No. 18‐1479
Alfich, sent a series of text messages to a friend in which he
stated:
[J]ust got out of the movie w[h]ere drunk US
marshal with a gun threatened the audience …
[.] Everyone started yelling when he took a
phone call during the movie[.] … Then the po‐
lice let him back into the theater because he’s a
US marshal … [H]e had his gun on him and his
belt loop[.] … [S]aid he’s a US marshal and the
government was calling him and everyone can
go [expletive] themselves and that they had an
issue that he was going to take it out into the
hallway[.]
Police, who had yet to leave the scene, escorted Bonin out.
As Bonin exited, he walked with a limp and explained to
Guillory that he injured his leg executing a search warrant;
another lie, as Bonin actually injured his leg in a motorcycle
accident. At that point, Guillory offered Bonin a ride home “as
a courtesy” because she still believed he was a law enforce‐
ment officer. Bonin declined Guillory’s offer.
In response to Bonin’s ruckus, the theater gave customers
free movie passes and advised them to contact the U.S. Mar‐
shals Service if they wished to complain. Alfich did just that.
Six weeks later, Bonin was charged with false impersonation
of a U.S. Marshal in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 912.
A federal grand jury indicted Bonin for twice falsely im‐
personating a U.S. Marshal: once in 2013 in Markham, Illinois
No. 18‐1479 5
(Count One),2 and the 2014 incident described above (Count
Two). At the government’s request, the district court dis‐
missed Count One of the indictment in January 2017.
One month later—while awaiting trial on the movie thea‐
ter charge—Bonin took his show on the road. Police observed
a car driving in Beecher, Illinois, with flashing red and white
emergency lights activated. As the car approached, the police
pulled over to allow it to pass, believing it was an emergency
vehicle. But when the vehicle sped by police realized it was
not a paramedic or patrol car as they expected, but a Ford
Bronco adorned with a large “AGENT” decal on the wind‐
shield and law enforcement insignia on the sides. Bonin was
the driver. After that, a grand jury returned a two‐count su‐
perseding indictment charging Bonin with § 912 violations for
the AMC theater incident (Count One) and this new act of
false impersonation while driving. At Bonin’s request, the dis‐
trict court severed the two counts and ordered trial to proceed
on the theater charge.
Bonin raised numerous pretrial challenges to the govern‐
ment’s movie theater charge. Initially he moved to dismiss the
indictment, pointing to United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. 709
2 Count One alleged an off‐duty Markham police officer observed
Bonin drive through a red light with red and blue emergency lights acti‐
vated. When the officer asked Bonin about the emergency lights, Bonin
responded he was a U.S. Marshal and opened his trench coat to reveal a
gun holstered at his waist. The officer reported Bonin as a suspicious per‐
son to on‐duty Markham police, who issued traffic tickets to Bonin for
running the red light and improperly using emergency lights. After this
incident, U.S. Marshals met with Bonin and cautioned that pretending to
be a U.S. Marshal was illegal and could lead to Bonin unintentionally plac‐
ing himself in harm’s way. At the end of this meeting, Bonin voluntarily
surrendered two fake U.S. Marshal badges.
6 No. 18‐1479
(2012) (plurality opinion), which held speech restrictions im‐
posed by the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 violated the First
Amendment. Bonin claims the logic of Alvarez renders § 912
unconstitutional by extension.3 The district court denied
Bonin’s motion because his “arguments rely on an over‐exag‐
gerated interpretation of Alvarez,” in which the Supreme
Court’s plurality, concurring, and dissenting opinions discuss
§ 912 in dicta as an example of a constitutional statute. The
court concluded that no part of the plurality’s opinion in
Alvarez made § 912 “somehow vulnerable” to Bonin’s argu‐
ments.
The district court also refused to give several of Bonin’s
proposed jury instructions. On the elements of the offense,
Bonin proposed instructions that explained a § 912 violation
requires: (1) a false assertion of authority; (2) an intent to de‐
fraud or a “knowing” violation; and (3) evidence that the false
pretense of federal authority caused others to change their be‐
havior in some way. Bonin also requested an instruction re‐
quiring unanimity on which alleged false representation
violated the law, as well as an instruction informing that the
First Amendment protects freedom of expression.
On the elements, the district court found that Bonin’s pro‐
posed instruction focused on the incorrect § 912 offense.4 It
3 The Stolen Valor Act of 2005, 18 U.S.C. 704(b), made it a crime to
falsely claim to be an award recipient of any military decorations or med‐
als.
4 Section 912 prohibits: (1) false impersonation of a federal official cou‐
pled with an overt act in conformity with the pretense (the “acts‐as‐such
clause”); and (2) false impersonation of a federal official coupled with de‐
manding or obtaining a thing of value (the “demands clause”). United
States v. Lepowitch, 318 U.S. 702, 704–05 (1943); see also United States v.
No. 18‐1479 7
rejected Bonin’s proposal and instructed the jury that, to con‐
vict, it would need to find that Bonin: (1) “falsely assumed or
pretended to have been an officer or employee acting under
authority of the United States Marshals Service”; and (2)
“acted as such.” The district court’s instructions further stated
that “[w]ith respect to acting ‘as such,’ the government must
prove that [Bonin] acted in a manner consistent with his pre‐
tended authority as an officer or employee of the United
States.” With respect to Bonin’s proposed unanimity and First
Amendment instructions, the court concluded they were in‐
consistent with the facts and law at issue in the case.
Bonin also moved to suppress his statements to Reidy and
Guillory on two theories: that his removal from the theater
constituted an unlawful seizure, and that the officer failed to
read him Miranda warnings. The district court denied Bonin’s
suppression motion, finding Bonin’s encounter with police
was consensual, and ruling police had reasonable suspicion
to question Bonin based on reports that a person with a gun
was causing a disturbance in the theater.
At trial, the jury heard from Reidy, Guillory, and Alfich,
each of whom testified that Bonin held himself out to be a U.S.
Marshal. Alfich also testified about Bonin’s threats and his be‐
rating of the movie audience. The government also presented
testimony from deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Woods‐Haw‐
kins who explained the basic duties of the position, including
fugitive recovery and the accessories of a U.S. Marshal, such
as wearing a weapon and badge on the belt.
Rippee, 961 F.2d 677, 678–79 (7th Cir. 1992). Bonin’s proposal involved the
demands clause, but he was charged under the acts‐as‐such clause.
8 No. 18‐1479
Bonin testified on his own behalf. On direct examination,
he contradicted the testimony of Reidy, Guillory, and Alfich,
denying that he raised his voice at the movie audience or pre‐
tended to be a U.S. Marshal. He also testified the badge he
wore at the theater and the identification card he presented to
Guillory were given to him by the entity that “employed” him
as a bounty hunter. The gold badge bore the words “U.S.
Fugitive Enforcement Bureau” with the Seal of the United
States and the words “The United States of America” in the
center of the badge. The ID card contained the title “U.S. Fu‐
gitive Enforcement Bureau,” and termed Bonin as a “Fugitive
Recovery Agent.”
On cross‐examination, Bonin again testified that he never
cursed at the audience, never said he was a U.S. Marshal, nor
tried to trick anyone into thinking he was a U.S. Marshal at
any time in his life, including the night at the theater. To rebut
this testimony, the government showed Bonin an assortment
of badges and other items seized from his home that con‐
tained the words “Fugitive Recovery Agent,” “U.S.,” or
“United States.” The items also applied semblances of the Seal
of the United States. Bonin admitted he purchased these items
for himself. One of these items, a knit cap with federal insig‐
nia, included the motto of the United States Marshals Service.
He also acknowledged he put a gold magnet on his vehicle
bearing an image of a star badge with the words “Fugitive
Recovery Agent” encircling the Seal of the United States.
The government also asked Bonin about pictures he
posted on his public Facebook page. These included a picture
of Bonin wearing a uniform with a badge, and another picture
of his car with the decals “U.S. Detective” and “CAUTION
K‐9.” Bonin admitted placing those indicators on his vehicle,
No. 18‐1479 9
but he denied doing so to make people think he was a federal
law enforcement officer.
Because Bonin’s testimony called into question the verac‐
ity of Alfich’s prior testimony, the government re‐called
Alfich. Before trial, the district court had excluded Alfich’s
text messages. But after Bonin denied Alfich’s account of Bo‐
nin’s actions during the movie, the court allowed the govern‐
ment to introduce Alfich’s texts as prior consistent statements.
After a three‐day trial, the jury returned a guilty verdict.
Bonin moved for judgment of acquittal and a new trial, but
the district court denied his motions. At sentencing he was
placed on three years’ probation.
II
On appeal Bonin submits a horde of legal challenges.5
Three predominate: a challenge to § 912 under the First
Amendment, objections to the jury instructions, and eviden‐
tiary disputes.
A
The Constitution mandates that “Congress shall make no
law ... abridging the freedom of speech.” U.S. CONST. amend.
I. Bonin claims § 912 imperils that freedom. We review this
5 We have explained “one of the most important parts of appellate
advocacy is the selection of the proper claims to urge on appeal.” Howard
v. Gramley, 225 F.3d 784, 791 (7th Cir. 2000). The kitchen‐sink approach
Bonin embraces can be criticized as “consum[ing] space that should be
devoted to developing the arguments with some promise.” Id.
10 No. 18‐1479
constitutional question de novo. Ctr. for Individual Freedom v.
Madigan, 697 F.3d 464, 476 (7th Cir. 2012).
Section 912 provides:
Whoever falsely assumes or pretends to be an
officer or employee acting under the authority
of the United States or any department, agency
or officer thereof, and acts as such, or in such pre‐
tended character demands or obtains any
money, paper, document, or thing of value,
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
more than three years, or both.
(emphasis added).
Bonin was charged under the “acts as such” clause of
§ 912, which criminalizes “false impersonation of a federal of‐
ficial coupled with an overt act in conformity with the pre‐
tense.” United States v. Rippee, 961 F.2d 677, 678 (7th Cir. 1992).
He mounts a facial challenge to this clause, advancing three
arguments. First, he claims the Supreme Court facially inval‐
idated it in United States v. Alvarez, 567 U.S. 709 (2012). Next,
he invokes the overbreadth doctrine, arguing the acts‐as‐such
clause reaches a “substantial amount” of constitutionally pro‐
tected conduct. Last, he argues it is unconstitutionally vague.
We begin our analysis with Bonin’s broader facial attack be‐
fore turning to the doctrines of overbreadth and vagueness.
Bonin confronts a “heavy burden” in raising a facial con‐
stitutional challenge to § 912. Nat’l Endowment for the Arts v.
Finley, 524 U.S. 569, 580 (1998). The Supreme Court has repeat‐
edly stated that facial invalidation of legislation is disfavored.
See Wash. State Grange v. Wash. State Republican Party, 552 U.S.
442, 450 (2008); Nat’l Endowment for the Arts, 524 U.S. at 580
No. 18‐1479 11
(noting facial invalidation “has been employed by the Court
sparingly and only as a last resort”); FW/PBS, Inc. v. Dallas,
493 U.S. 215, 223 (1990) (“[F]acial challenges to legislation are
generally disfavored.”). To prevail on a facial attack, Bonin
must establish “that no set of circumstances exists” in which
§ 912 would be valid or that it “lacks any plainly legitimate
sweep.” United States v. Stevens, 559 U.S. 460, 472 (2010) (in‐
ternal quotations and citations omitted).
Bonin offers no such arguments, nor could he under
Alvarez. There, a plurality of the Court described § 912 as a
“permissible” restriction on false speech because it “protect[s]
the integrity of Government processes” and “is itself confined
to ‘maintain[ing] the general good repute and dignity of …
government … service itself.’” 567 U.S. at 720–21 (plurality
opinion) (quoting United States v. Lepowitch, 318 U.S. 702, 704
(1943)). Likewise, Justice Breyer’s concurring opinion and
Justice Alito’s dissent discussed § 912 as a constitutional re‐
striction on speech. Id. at 735 (Breyer, J., concurring in the
judgment); id. at 748 (Alito, J., dissenting). Despite the splin‐
tered decision, no Justice in Alvarez questioned the constitu‐
tionality of § 912.6
6 Bonin argues Alvarez “confirms that … Section 912 is facially uncon‐
stitutional.” Each of the opinions in Alvarez said just the opposite. The
Court explained that § 912, along with other statutes that “implicate fraud
or speech integral to criminal conduct,” are “inapplicable” to the reason‐
ing of its holding. Alvarez, 567 U.S. at 721 (plurality opinion); see also id. at
734–35 (Breyer, J., concurring in the judgment) (distinguishing § 912 from
the Stolen Valor Act because of its “focus on acts of impersonation” (em‐
phasis in original)); id. at 748–49 (Alito, J., dissenting) (describing § 912 vi‐
olations as “false statements of fact [that] merit no First Amendment
protection in their own right”).
12 No. 18‐1479
The Alvarez plurality applied “most exacting scrutiny” in
striking down the Stolen Valor Act. Id. at 724 (plurality opin‐
ion) (quoting Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. v. FCC, 512 U.S.
622, 642 (1994)). The concurring opinion applied intermediate
scrutiny. Id. at 731 (Breyer, J., concurring in the judgment). We
will assume, without deciding, that the more demanding
standard discussed in Alvarez applies here, as survival under
the former yields the same result under the latter.
“Most exacting scrutiny” requires the government to es‐
tablish that the “regulation is necessary to serve a compelling
state interest and that it is narrowly drawn to achieve that
end.” Boos v. Barry, 485 U.S. 312, 321–22 (1988). Here, the stat‐
ute prohibits impersonation of federal officials and employ‐
ees to “protect the integrity of Government processes,”
Alvarez, 567 U.S at 721 (plurality opinion), and “maintain the
general good repute and dignity of the government service
itself,” Lepowitch, 318 U.S. at 704 (internal parentheses omit‐
ted).
Bonin does not dispute that public safety and protection
of the reputation of law enforcement are compelling interests.
We are not alone in concluding they are. The Fourth Circuit
addressed the same issue and held that “Alvarez … confirms
… the very real problem of law enforcement impersonations
and the misfortunes that can flow from them.” United States v.
Chappell, 691 F.3d 388, 397 (4th Cir. 2012) (rejecting that
Alvarez invalidated Virginia law prohibiting impersonation of
police). Likewise, the Ninth Circuit has held: “As Alvarez
made clear, the government has the constitutional power to
prohibit the impersonation of federal officials and employ‐
ees” and characterized that prohibition as serving “substan‐
tial government interests.” United States v. Tomsha‐Miguel, 766
No. 18‐1479 13
F.3d 1041, 1048–49 (9th Cir. 2014) (applying intermediate
scrutiny and holding § 912 is a constitutionally permissible
restriction on free speech).7
Pretending to be a law enforcement officer could, without
more, help someone improperly gain entrance to a home,
school, or any other secured location. See Chappell, 691 F.3d at
392 (observing same). That is what happened here: Bonin’s
lies gave him cover to bring a gun and loaded magazine clip
into a dark and crowded theater.8 Because false impersona‐
tion of a federal officer could have serious security ramifica‐
tions and erode the public’s trust in federal institutions, the
government’s interest in protecting the integrity of govern‐
ment processes is compelling.
Given the government’s compelling interest, the only
question is whether § 912 is “narrowly drawn to achieve”
those interests. Boos, 485 U.S. at 321–22. We look again to
Alvarez. False statements are not categorically excluded from
First Amendment protections. In recognizing this principle,
Alvarez distinguished between unprotected lies (like fraud,
speech integral to criminal conduct, defamation, and perjury)
7 Bonin argues the Tomsha‐Miguel holding was “called into doubt” by
a subsequent Ninth Circuit en banc opinion, which held unconstitutional
18 U.S.C. § 704(a), a section of the Stolen Valor Act that criminalizes the
unauthorized wearing of military medals. See United States v. Swisher, 811
F.3d 299, 318 (9th Cir. 2016). We disagree, as the Ninth Circuit said the
opposite in Swisher when it “reject[ed] … reasoning that § 704(a) is like the
statutes described in Alvarez that prohibit impersonation of government
officials, like 18 U.S.C. § 912.” Id. at 316.
8Although witnesses at the theater observed only one gun, Bonin re‐
ported he actually carried six firearms because that is how he “usually
arm[s]” himself.
14 No. 18‐1479
and protected lies (like those covered by the Stolen Valor Act,
which “targets falsity and nothing more”).9 567 U.S. at 717,
719; see also id. at 734–35 (Breyer, J., concurring in the judg‐
ment) (distinguishing § 912 and its “narrower” scope from the
Stolen Valor Act). What sets § 912 apart from the Stolen Valor
Act is the requirement of an overt act in conformity with the
lie.
The Stolen Valor Act’s flaw was that “its plain terms ap‐
plie[d] to a false statement made at any time, in any place, to
any person. … And it does so entirely without regard to
whether the lie was made for the purpose of material gain.”
Id. at 722–23 (plurality opinion).10 Section 912’s acts‐as‐such
clause is more narrowly tailored because it requires inten‐
tional “act[ion] in the pretended character … sought to cause
the deceived person to follow some course he would not have
pursued but for the deceitful conduct.” Lepowitch, 318 U.S. at
704; see also Tomsha‐Miguel, 766 F.3d at 1049 (finding the stat‐
utory elements of § 912 incorporate an intent to deceive). Ap‐
plying the reasoning of Lepowitch here, the evidence showed
9
The Stolen Valor Act provided: “Whoever falsely represents himself
or herself, verbally or in writing, to have been awarded any decoration or
medal authorized by Congress for the Armed Forces of the United States
… shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than six months, or
both.” 18 U.S.C. § 704(b) (2005).
10 The plurality opinion in Alvarez called the government’s interests
“compelling” but held that the Stolen Valor Act’s restriction was not “the
least restrictive means among available, effective alternatives.” 567 U.S. at
725–29. Notably, Congress amended the Stolen Valor Act after the Alvarez
decision, now making it a crime to “fraudulently hold[] oneself out to be
a recipient” of specified military decorations or medals “with the intent to
obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit.” See 18 U.S.C. § 704.
No. 18‐1479 15
that Bonin both sought to deceive the movie audience to tol‐
erate his rude behavior and sought to deceive the police offic‐
ers to avoid taking action against him for his threatening
conduct in the theater.
Because the acts‐as‐such clause prohibits more than mere
lies, it falls outside the scope of Alvarez’s holding. Alvarez, 567
U.S. at 721 (“Statutes that … prohibit impersonating a Gov‐
ernment officer, also protect the integrity of Government pro‐
cesses, quite apart from merely restricting false speech.”).
Instead, the clause is “narrowed … to a subset of lies where
specific harm is more likely to occur,” which “help[s] to make
certain that the statute does not allow its threat of liability or
criminal punishment to roam at large.” Id. at 736 (Breyer, J.,
concurring in the judgment). “Where false claims are made to
effect a fraud … it is well established that the Government
may restrict speech without affronting the First Amend‐
ment.” Alvarez, 567 U.S. at 723 (plurality opinion). Although
the Court’s observations on § 912 arose in dicta, they inform
us where the Court stands. McBride v. CSX Transp., Inc., 598
F.3d 388, 405 (7th Cir. 2010) (“[W]e must treat with great re‐
spect the prior pronouncements of the Supreme Court, even
if those pronouncements are technically dicta.”). For these
reasons, we follow Alvarez’s approach and hold that § 912 is
narrowly drawn to serve the government’s compelling inter‐
ests.
We turn now to whether the acts‐as‐such clause prohibits
a substantial amount of protected speech, violating the over‐
breadth doctrine.
Because an overly broad law may deter constitutionally
protected speech, the overbreadth doctrine allows persons,
like Bonin, “to attack overly broad statutes even though the
16 No. 18‐1479
conduct of the person making the attack is clearly unpro‐
tected and could be proscribed by a law drawn with the req‐
uisite specificity.” New York v. Ferber, 458 U.S. 747, 769 (1982).
Even still, the “strong medicine” of the doctrine is employed
“with hesitation, and then ‘only as a last resort.’” Id. (citation
omitted). “[T]he mere fact that one can conceive of some im‐
permissible applications of a statute is not sufficient to render
it susceptible to an overbreadth challenge. Members of City
Council of City of Los Angeles v. Taxpayers for Vincent, 466 U.S.
789, 800 (1984) (denying overbreadth challenge after plaintiffs
“simply failed to demonstrate a realistic danger that the ordi‐
nance will significantly compromise recognized First Amend‐
ment protections of individuals not before the Court”).
Rather, “there must be a realistic danger that the statute itself
will significantly compromise recognized First Amendment
protections of parties not before the Court for it to be facially
challenged on overbreadth grounds.” Id. at 801.
Bonin fails to raise any “realistic danger” that the acts‐as‐
such clause will compromise First Amendment rights. Bonin
offers weak examples: “a fired Treasury employee” who
“conceal[s] his unemployment from his spouse and claim[s]
he is ‘going to work’ each morning”; and “[a]n Internet dater”
who “fak[es] an FBI agent work emergency to end a bad date
early.” According to Bonin, “the ‘acts’ offense [even] criminal‐
izes theater and Halloween.” These far‐fetched hypotheticals
do not presage any risk that the acts‐as‐such clause will cause
third parties to avoid constitutionally protected speech.
Moreover, “[t]he overbreadth claimant bears the burden of
demonstrating, from the text of the law and from actual fact,
that substantial overbreadth exists.” Virginia v. Hicks, 539 U.S.
113, 122 (2003) (internal quotations and citations omitted); see
also Ctr. for Individual Freedom, 697 F.3d at 479–80 (“The central
No. 18‐1479 17
question … is whether the provisions at issue potentially
reach a ‘substantial’ amount of protected speech.”). Bonin’s
hypothetical cadre of costume wearers and regretful suitors
fail to satisfy these conditions. The acts‐as‐such clause raises
no overbreadth problems.
Bonin’s last attack on § 912’s constitutionality is for vague‐
ness. It is a “basic principle of due process” that a statute is
void for vagueness “if its prohibitions are not clearly de‐
fined.” Grayned v. City of Rockford, 408 U.S. 104, 108 (1972).
Critically, Bonin makes no claim that the acts‐as‐such
clause is vague with respect to his own conduct. The flagrancy
and frequency of Bonin’s lies at the theater fit within the pro‐
hibition of § 912 to “falsely assume[] or pretend[] to be an of‐
ficer or employee acting under the authority of the United
States.” Bonin’s vagueness claim does not survive “the rule
that ‘a plaintiff who engages in some conduct that is clearly
proscribed cannot complain of the vagueness of the law as ap‐
plied to the conduct of others.’” Holder v. Humanitarian Law
Project, 561 U.S. 1, 20 (2010) (internal brackets omitted) (quot‐
ing Vill. of Hoffman Estates v. Flipside, Hoffman Estates, Inc., 455
U.S. 489, 495 (1982)). “That rule makes no exception for con‐
duct in the form of speech.” Id. The facts here do not present
a close call on this issue. Because Bonin’s conduct is “clearly
proscribed,” we see no reason to evaluate the merits of his
vagueness claim.
B
Bonin next argues the district court “misinstructed the
jury on essential elements” of an acts‐as‐such offense. He also
contends the district court erred in refusing to give his prof‐
fered First Amendment and unanimity instructions.
18 No. 18‐1479
We review Bonin’s challenge to the elements instruction
in two steps. First, we review de novo “whether [the] jury in‐
structions accurately summarize the law, but give the district
court substantial discretion to formulate the instructions pro‐
vided that the instructions represent a complete and correct
statement of the law.” United States v. Daniel, 749 F.3d 608, 613
(7th Cir. 2014) (citation omitted). If the instructions are legally
accurate, then we review the district court’s phrasing of the
instructions for abuse of discretion. Id.
Here, the instruction read:
In order for you to find the defendant guilty of
these charges, the government must prove each
of the following two elements beyond a reason‐
able doubt:
1. That the defendant falsely assumed or
pretended to have been an officer or em‐
ployee acting under authority of the United
States Marshals Service; and
2. That the defendant acted as such.
With respect to acting “as such,” the govern‐
ment must prove that the defendant acted in a
manner consistent with his pretended authority
as an officer or employee of the United States
Marshals Service.
The components of the instruction are either direct quota‐
tions from § 912’s text (the numbered portion of the instruc‐
tion) or an accurate restatement of case precedent from the
Supreme Court and this court (the final sentence). Compare
Lepowitch, 318 U.S. at 704 (“Government officials are imper‐
sonated by any persons who ‘assume to act in the pretended
No. 18‐1479 19
character.’”) with Rippee, 961 F.2d at 678 (“Section 912 crimi‐
nalizes … false impersonation of a federal official coupled
with an overt act in conformity with the pretense … .”) and
United States v. Hamilton, 276 F.2d 96, 98 (7th Cir. 1960) (“The
words ‘acts as such’ as used in [§] 912 … have been construed
to mean acting in the pretended character, [without] neces‐
sarily doing an act which defendant would have been author‐
ized to do under authority of the assumed [office].”).
Providing jurors with these accurate summaries of applicable
law is not an abuse of discretion.
Bonin argues the district court should have instructed the
jury on three additional elements of an acts‐as‐such offense: a
mens rea component, an assertion of authority component,
and causation. We address his proposed elements in turn.
The government concedes the district court erred in omit‐
ting a mens rea instruction. See, e.g., Elonis v. United States, 135
S. Ct. 2001, 2009 (2015) (“The fact that the statute does not
specify any required mental state, however, does not mean
that none exists.”). Even so, “an instruction that omits an ele‐
ment of the offense does not necessarily render a criminal trial
fundamentally unfair or an unreliable vehicle for determining
guilt or innocence.” Neder v. United States, 527 U.S. 1, 9 (1999).
The omission of an element is subject to harmless‐error anal‐
ysis. Id. at 10.
In Neder, the Supreme Court set forth the test to determine
whether an error is harmless: “Is it clear beyond a reasonable
doubt that a rational jury would have found the defendant
guilty absent the error?” Id. at 18. Here, Bonin not only pre‐
tended to be a U.S. Marshal to break a rule, he did so with an
attitude of entitlement, undermining the integrity and profes‐
sionalism of the U.S. Marshals Service. Then, he kept the con
20 No. 18‐1479
going, lying to police to avoid being arrested or kicked out of
the theater. And after that scam worked, he gloated and
flashed a gun as he reentered the theater. Section 912 prohibits
such conduct. More importantly, a fairly selected and impar‐
tial jury weighed all the evidence, including Bonin’s own tes‐
timony, and rejected his defense.11 See id. at 9. On the record
in this case, no jury could reasonably find that Bonin’s contin‐
ual falsehoods were not knowing and intentional. We thus
hold that the district court’s failure to submit a mens rea ele‐
ment was harmless error.
Bonin also claims the district court erred when it failed to
instruct that acts‐as‐such impersonation requires an assertion
of authority. He contends this instruction is required to “har‐
monize” our holdings in Hamilton and Rippee. We disagree on
both fronts. First, Bonin’s proposed instruction ignores the
plain language of § 912, which contains no “assertion of au‐
thority” requirement. Second, Bonin’s proposal would nullify
the acts‐as‐such clause as a separate and distinct violation of
§ 912. On this point, he labors under the misimpression that a
tension exists between Hamilton and Rippee. In Hamilton, the
defendant committed acts‐as‐such impersonation when
wearing a firearm in someone’s home while falsely pretend‐
ing to be an F.B.I. agent. 276 F.2d at 97–98 (affirming judgment
of conviction). Rippee involved a defendant charged under the
11
At trial, Bonin denied making false representations. He did not ar‐
gue his conduct was based on his mistake, an accident, or his ignorance of
the law. On appeal, Bonin claims to be a “fugitive recovery agent” and
“proud bounty hunter,” although he has never recovered a fugitive. Ac‐
cording to Bonin, the “confusing relationship between bounty hunting
and the Marshal Service” created the misperception that he said he was a
U.S. Marshal.
No. 18‐1479 21
demands clause who pretended to be a U.S. Marshal and as‐
serted false authority (that he was dispatched to break up a
fight) to avoid a traffic ticket for an illegal U‐turn. 961 F.2d at
678 (affirming judgment of conviction). These opinions apply
different requirements because they concern different § 912
offenses, and there is no conflict in their holdings.
Bonin’s request for a causation instruction—telling jurors
the “acts” must cause someone to change their behavior—also
fails because the text of § 912 does not mention causation. Nor
has our court interpreted the statute to require causation to
prove an acts‐as‐such offense. We decline Bonin’s invitation
to decree requirements not included in the statute itself.
Bonin also asked for unanimity and First Amendment in‐
structions. “We review de novo a district court’s refusal to
provide a requested jury instruction when the underlying as‐
signment of error implicates a question of law, but general at‐
tacks on the jury instructions are reviewed for an abuse of
discretion. United States v. Bloom, 846 F.3d 243, 255 (7th Cir.
2017) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).12
Bonin speculates the jury may have convicted him without
agreeing on which of his false representations violated the
12 Bonin additionally contends “[t]he district court erroneously re‐
fused to instruct the jury” as follows: (1) “[a] person does not falsely rep‐
resent himself if he tells the truth as he understands it”; and (2) “if you
find that the government did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that
Mr. Bonin did not act in good faith, then you must find him not guilty.”
But he neither explains these defense theories nor develops any argument
applying them to this case. Because the claims are “perfunctory and un‐
developed,” they are waived. Northbound Grp., Inc. v. Norvax, Inc., 795 F.3d
647, 652 n.2 (7th Cir. 2015).
22 No. 18‐1479
law. He claims a unanimity instruction would have fixed that
problem. “[W]hile a jury’s unanimity is required in regard to
each principal element of a criminal offense, ‘a federal jury
need not always decide unanimously which of several possi‐
ble sets of underlying brute facts make up a particular ele‐
ment, say, which of several possible means the defendant used
to commit an element of the crime.’” Daniel, 749 F.3d at 613
(quoting Richardson v. United States, 526 U.S. 813, 817 (1999)
(emphasis added)). Here, Bonin’s repeated false statements
that he was a U.S. Marshal, in addition to his brandishing a
badge and a gun, were the “underlying brute facts” of the ver‐
dict against him. In other words, “they were merely the
means he used to commit an element of the crime.” Id. at 614.
Because “the instructions used in this case accurately con‐
veyed the law,” id., the district court did not abuse its discre‐
tion when it declined to give the unanimity instructions Bonin
requested.
Bonin also claims the absence of a First Amendment in‐
struction exposed him to a conviction for protected expres‐
sion. He insists the district court erred by refusing an
instruction saying “the First Amendment … prevents the
government from criminalizing mere hyperbole, sleaziness,
bad behavior, bragging, or puffery, or the expression of an
opinion. It is not illegal to simply pretend to be a United States
Marshal.” But for the reasons explained above, Bonin’s pro‐
posed instruction misstates the law. And allowing a jury to
muse on the First Amendment’s influence on a constitution‐
ally valid statute risks confusion on the elements of the of‐
fense and on the government’s burden of proof. The
government needed to prove the elements of § 912’s acts‐as‐
such offense beyond a reasonable doubt, which it did. The
No. 18‐1479 23
district court properly refused to give a First Amendment in‐
struction.
C
Finally, Bonin presents a series of evidentiary issues he be‐
lieves warrant reversal. We start with his claim that the ad‐
mission of pseudo law enforcement items seized from his
home, as well as social media images of him in law enforce‐
ment regalia, unfairly prejudiced his defense. After that, we
consider the admission of Alfich’s text messages. Then, we ex‐
amine whether the district court erred by denying Bonin’s
motion to suppress his statements to Officer Guillory. Last,
we consider whether Bonin was entitled to present certain ev‐
idence that he lawfully carried his gun in the theater.
During cross‐examination of Bonin, the government intro‐
duced three badges, one automobile magnet, and a knit cap
seized from Bonin’s home, in addition to Facebook photos of
Bonin posing as a law enforcement officer. Bonin alleges the
admission of these items violated FED. R. EVID. 404(b) and 403,
as they were used to demonstrate his propensity to imperson‐
ate law enforcement and resulted in unfair prejudice. We re‐
view the district court’s decision to admit this evidence for
abuse of discretion. United States v. Anzaldi, 800 F.3d 872, 882
(7th Cir. 2015).
Rule 404(b) provides that “[e]vidence of a crime, wrong,
or other act is not admissible to prove a person’s character in
order to show that on a particular occasion the person acted
in accordance with the character.” FED. R. EVID. 404(b) (em‐
phasis added). Yet the rule permits other‐act evidence for
non‐propensity purposes, including proof of intent. Id. When,
as in this case, “intent is ‘at issue’ because the defendant
24 No. 18‐1479
makes it an issue,” other‐act evidence may be admissible to
prove intent, “but it must be relevant without relying on a
propensity inference, and its probative value must not be sub‐
stantially outweighed by the risk of unfair prejudice.” United
States v. Gomez, 763 F.3d 845, 859 (7th Cir. 2014).
Before trial, the district court excluded the items seized
from Bonin’s home and his social media postings. Yet the
court allowed this other‐acts evidence on cross‐examination
after Bonin denied ever intending to give the impression that
he was a U.S. Marshal, not just in the theater, but at any time
in his life. Bonin also testified that any resemblance the iden‐
tification card he gave to Guillory and the badge he wore at
the theater had to official law enforcement items was coinci‐
dental and created by his “employer.” At that point, Bonin
opened the door to the government’s impeachment with evi‐
dence of pseudo federal law enforcement items from his
home. See Gomez, 763 F.3d at 858 (“[I]n order for the govern‐
ment to introduce prior bad acts to show intent, the defendant
must put his intent at issue first.”).
The government asked Bonin whether he purchased these
items himself, which he affirmed. These questions were also
permissible impeachment after Bonin disclaimed an intent to
trick anyone at any time into believing he was a U.S. Marshal.
For example, Bonin acknowledged placing the words “U.S.
Detective” and a gold star magnet similar to a U.S. Marshal
insignia on his vehicle, but he denied any intent to make peo‐
ple think he was a federal law enforcement officer. When
Bonin denied such an intent, this evidence became relevant
for the non‐propensity purpose of proving his contrary intent.
Accordingly, the challenged evidence clears Rule 404(b)’s bar
on propensity evidence.
No. 18‐1479 25
The next question, then, is whether the probative value of
this evidence “is substantially outweighed by a danger of …
unfair prejudice.” FED. R. EVID. 403. As a general matter, “in‐
tent becomes more relevant, and evidence tending to prove
intent becomes more probative, when the defense actually
works to deny intent, joining the issue by contesting it.”
United States v. Miller, 673 F.3d 688, 697 (7th Cir. 2012).
Here, intent became a contested issue after Bonin denied
intending to deceive others at any point in time into believing
he was federal law enforcement. The challenged evidence—
which bore stark resemblances to federal law enforcement at‐
tire, phrases, and insignia, and which Bonin purchased him‐
self—had high probative value because it went directly to
Bonin’s intent to deceive the public.
We “accord great deference” to the district court’s eviden‐
tiary determinations “because of the judge’s first‐hand expo‐
sure to the evidence[,] … familiarity with the case[,] and
ability to gauge the impact of the evidence on the jury in the
context of the trial.” United States v. Williams, 216 F.3d 611, 615
(7th Cir. 2000).13 In addition, the district court gave a limiting
13 Two days before trial, the district court’s executive committee reas‐
signed this case from Judge Robert Gettleman to Judge Donald E. Walter
of the Western District of Louisiana, who had been designated to perform
judicial duties in the Northern District of Illinois. Bonin contends Judge
Walter’s substitution on the eve of trial rendered him incapable of famili‐
arity with this case, and therefore, “no deference is due” to his evidentiary
rulings and we should apply a heightened standard of review to all his
decisions. Bonin cites no authority to support this argument. Regardless,
the argument fails because Judge Walter’s evidentiary rulings were
proper.
26 No. 18‐1479
instruction to avoid any possibility that the jury would im‐
properly view this as “propensity” evidence. The court di‐
rected the jury to consider this evidence for impeachment
alone, as well as that the jury could not infer that because
Bonin committed any act in the past he was more likely to
have committed the charged offense. Affording “great defer‐
ence” here, the district court was within its discretion to admit
the challenged evidence.
Bonin also argues the district court erred by admitting the
text messages sent from the theater by witness Patrick Alfich.
Once again, we review for abuse of discretion. Anzaldi, 800
F.3d at 882. In the government’s rebuttal case, Alfich testified
regarding text messages he sent immediately after witnessing
Bonin’s outbursts. The statements contained in those text
messages were admitted as prior consistent statements under
FED. R. EVID. 801(d)(1)(B).
A statement is not hearsay, and is admissible as a prior
consistent statement under Rule 801(d)(1)(B), if four condi‐
tions are met: (1) the declarant testifies at trial and is subject
to cross‐examination; (2) the prior statement is consistent with
the declarant’s trial testimony; (3) the statement is offered to
rebut an express or implied charge of recent fabrication or im‐
proper motive; and (4) the statement was made before the de‐
clarant had a motive to fabricate. United States v. Davis, 896
F.3d 784, 788–89 (7th Cir. 2018). Bonin argues the third re‐
quirement was not met because he never directly accused
Alfich of fabrication. But his argument ignores that Rule
801(d)(1)(B) allows a prior statement to rebut an “implied
charge that the declarant recently fabricated.” FED. R. EVID.
801(d)(1)(B)(i) (emphasis added).
No. 18‐1479 27
“[T]he precise contours” of a charge of fabrication “may
be unclear.” Miller v. Greenleaf Orthopedic Assocs., S.C., 827
F.3d 569, 574 (7th Cir. 2016). Yet “determining whether a wit‐
ness’s past statement has any potential to rebut the allegation
will necessarily involve an exercise of the trial judge’s discre‐
tion.” Id. Here, Bonin’s testimony on direct and cross‐exami‐
nation directly contradicted Alfich and implied that Alfich’s
testimony about Bonin’s false statements, threats, and behav‐
ior was fictional. See United States v. Ruiz, 249 F.3d 643, 647–48
(7th Cir. 2001) (holding an accusation of fabrication existed
where defendant “raised the implication” that the witness’s
testimony “was fictional”). Given these reasons, the district
court’s ruling was supported and reflects a proper exercise of
discretion.
As to the admission of the pseudo law enforcement items,
the social media images, and the text messages, reversal is re‐
quired if an evidentiary error “had a substantial and injurious
effect or influence on the jury’s verdict.” United States v.
Reddit, 381 F.3d 597, 601 (7th Cir. 2004) (quote omitted). An
evidentiary error meets this standard “only when a signifi‐
cant chance exists that they affected the outcome of the trial.”
Whitehead v. Bond, 680 F.3d 919, 930 (7th Cir. 2012). Given the
trial evidence, these standards are not met here.
Bonin also appeals his initial police encounter. He argues
the officers lacked reasonable suspicion to believe he was in‐
volved in criminal activity at the theater, and therefore “eve‐
rything that happened during the stop should have been
suppressed.” We review a district court’s denial of a motion
to suppress under a “dual standard of review”; legal conclu‐
sions are reviewed de novo, but findings of fact for clear error.
United States v. Edgeworth, 889 F.3d 350, 353 (7th Cir. 2018).
28 No. 18‐1479
“A limited intrusion into an individual’s privacy is per‐
mitted under the Fourth Amendment where the police have
reasonable suspicion to believe criminal activity is afoot.”
United States v. Richmond, 924 F.3d 404, 411 (7th Cir. 2019) (ci‐
tations omitted). Reasonable suspicion exists when an officer
can point to specific and articulable facts which, taken to‐
gether with rational inferences from those facts, reasonably
warrant that intrusion. Id. We “presume the reliability of an
emergency 911 call reporting an emergency situation for pur‐
poses of establishing reasonable suspicion.” United States v.
Drake, 456 F.3d 771, 775 (7th Cir. 2006).
Here, Guillory arrived at the theater in response to a 911
call reporting a person with a gun causing a disturbance at the
theater. Reidy identified Bonin as the person causing the dis‐
turbance, and Guillory observed the gun on Bonin’s belt. Ob‐
jectively reasonable grounds existed for police to suspect that
Bonin was engaged in unlawful activity. As for the scope of
Guillory’s questioning, “[i]t is well settled that police may ap‐
proach an individual in a public place and seek the individ‐
ual’s cooperation in answering a few questions. Such an
encounter is not a ‘seizure’ within the meaning of the Fourth
Amendment.” United States v. Adamson, 441 F.3d 513, 519–20
(7th Cir. 2006); see also United States v. Drayton, 536 U.S. 194,
201 (2002) (“Even when law enforcement officers have no ba‐
sis for suspecting a particular individual, they may pose ques‐
tions, [and] ask for identification … .”). After learning Bonin
was the suspect reported, Guillory asked him for his version
of events, and took his driver’s license only long enough to
verify he had a valid concealed carry license. Minutes later,
Bonin reentered the theater. Because the evidence supported
a finding of reasonable suspicion, and that Bonin was not
No. 18‐1479 29
“seized” in violation of the Fourth Amendment, the district
court did not err in denying Bonin’s motion to suppress.
Finally, Bonin argues the district court violated the Sixth
Amendment by excluding evidence of: Illinois’s concealed
carry law; the absence of signs prohibiting guns at the theater;
and testimony from Bonin’s bounty hunting instructor, John
Howard, about firearms training he gave Bonin.
We review the district court’s decisions to exclude Bonin’s
proffered evidence for an abuse of discretion. United States v.
Alayeto, 628 F.3d 917, 920–21 (7th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted).
But we review de novo the question of whether the eviden‐
tiary ruling infringed upon a defendant’s constitutional
rights. Id. (citation omitted).
The district court properly excluded Bonin’s proffered ev‐
idence for three reasons. First, the district court correctly ob‐
served the evidence was irrelevant under Rule 401 because
Bonin was not charged with violating Illinois’s concealed
carry laws or the movie theater’s policy prohibiting firearms.
Evidence about Bonin openly wearing a gun and a badge on
his belt was relevant because that conduct was part and parcel
of his false impersonation of a U.S. Marshal. Conversely,
whether Illinois law allowed Bonin to have a gun in the thea‐
ter, the theater’s signage on this issue, and what John Howard
told Bonin about Illinois law, were all irrelevant. None of that
evidence had a tendency to make a fact of consequence to his
guilt or innocence more or less probable. See FED. R. EVID. 401.
Second, Bonin’s proposed evidence failed under Rule 403
balancing. Any probative value of the evidence was substan‐
tially outweighed by the danger that it would confuse the is‐
sues and mislead the jury into thinking that Bonin’s guilt on
30 No. 18‐1479
a § 912 charge was somehow intertwined with his compliance
with Illinois law and training he received from some third
party. Third, Bonin presented a defense on all these issues.
For example, Howard did testify on the training he gave his
“agents,” like Bonin, as to how and when they could carry
guns. Likewise, Bonin testified about his concealed carry li‐
cense, his purported work as a bounty hunter, his training for
that position, and that he was unaware the theater prohibited
guns. So the district court neither prevented Bonin from pre‐
senting this defense, nor abused its discretion when it ex‐
cluded irrelevant and misleading evidence that Bonin
requests on appeal.
III
Fictional tales are a part of the cinema experience. But
when Bonin upstaged the on‐screen performances as a make‐
believe marshal, he broke the law. The First Amendment can‐
not save him, and his jury instruction and evidentiary claims
do not persuade us, so we AFFIRM.