Is "traveled in ...foreign commerce" grammatical?

[NewHopeR]

Context:
Based on its evidence, Craig McClusky, of the U.S. Marshals Service, said in the complaint that there is "probable cause" to believe that Dorner has "moved and traveled in interstate and foreign commerce from California to Mexico with the intent to avoid prosecution."

More:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/12/christopher-dorner-ex-cop-los-angeles-mexico/1912553/

 

[SoothingDave]

Sounds wrong to me.

 

[Gillnetter]

Context:
Based on its evidence, Craig McClusky, of the U.S. Marshals Service, said in the complaint that there is "probable cause" to believe that Dorner has "moved and traveled in interstate and foreign commerce from California to Mexico with the intent to avoid prosecution."

More:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/12/christopher-dorner-ex-cop-los-angeles-mexico/1912553/

I reviewed part of the US Code and found that the term is used in the Code. As to why it was used in this regard is beyond me. The part about "commerce" is the most confusing as there was no commerce (buying, selling, or trading going on here). It might be a catch-all phrase used by the government in such cases. Also, I can't see how "interstate" applies here as the person was thought to have traveled from one country to another. Interstate means between states.

 

[5jj]

I read the article and wondered what sort of fish the state had that could search cars and cause him to run away from them - "He tried to drive that truck away [...] and ran from the truck after encountering state fish and wildlife officers searching cars leaving the mountain."

 

[Gillnetter]

I read the article and wondered what sort of fish the state had that could search cars and cause him to run away from them - "He tried to drive that truck away [...] and ran from the truck after encountering state fish and wildlife officers searching cars leaving the mountain."

Yes, it's a bit confusing. A state Fish and Wildlife officer (Fish and Wildlife being a title) in California is a sworn peace officer. Such officers have both the right and the obligation to enforce state and federal laws. There are many types of peace officers in the US. For example, a park ranger in a federal park (Yellowstone Park, for example) can, and will, act as a police officer if the occasion arises.

 

[Tdol]

Travel(l)ed on foreign business/commerce would work better for me.

 

[SoothingDave]

I don't think "travel" works with "commerce" at all. The idea is that he engaged in interstate commerce, which is a trigger that turns criminal activity into a federal case. A common criminal within one state's line is not typically a federal police matter. When you cross state lines, it becomes such.