This day in history: On this day in 1960, Rock and Roll pioneer Chuck Berry was acquitted by a jury of charges of violating the Mann Act.
Also on this day in 1960, in Laredo, Texas, Charles Manson was arrested on charges of violating the Mann Act and his parole terms. He would remain in prison until 1967 and go on to infamy as leader of a cult of serial killers.
In its original form, the Mann Act made it a felony to engage in interstate or foreign commerce transport of "any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose". Its primary stated intent was to address prostitution, immorality, and human trafficking, particularly where trafficking was for the purposes of prostitution. It was one of several acts of protective legislation aimed at moral reform during the Progressive Era. In practice, its ambiguous language about "immorality" resulted in it being used to criminalize even consensual sexual behavior between adults. It was amended by Congress in 1978 and again in 1986 to limit its application to transport for the purpose of prostitution or other illegal sexual acts.
Some other notable people who have been charged with the Mann Act was Charlie Chaplin, Frank Lloyd Wright, Chuck Berry, R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.
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