Argued December 4, 2023 Decided October 22, 2024

No. 22-3042

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, APPELLEE

v.

COUY GRIFFIN, APPELLANT

Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (No. 1:21-cr-00092-1)

Lisa B. Wright, Assistant Federal Public Defender, argued the cause for appellant. With her on the briefs was A. J. Kramer, Federal Public Defender. Tony Axam Jr., Assistant Federal Public Defender, entered an appearance.

Daniel J. Lenerz, Assistant U.S. Attorney, argued the cause for appellee. With him on the brief were Chrisellen R. Kolb and Nicholas P. Coleman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys. James Pearce, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, entered an appearance.

Before: PILLARD and KATSAS, Circuit Judges, and ROGERS, Senior Circuit Judge. 2 Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge PILLARD.

Dissenting opinion filed by Circuit Judge KATSAS.

PILLARD, Circuit Judge: This appeal turns on interpretation of a fed