ABSTRACT
The Mann Act thus raised the issue of whether it was within the federal government's responsibilities and powers to restrict certain freedoms to protect citizens' morality and safety, or whether state and local authorities had exclusive control over the police power. Also known as "White Slave Traffic Act," the Mann Act of 1910 prohibited transportation of women and girls across state lines for prostitution; it was ultimately expanded by federal prosecutors to include noncoercive sexual relationships pursued through interstate travel. When the Supreme Court upheld the Mann Act in Hoke v. United States, 227 US 308, precedents were divided and somewhat inconsistent regarding what should be considered interstate commerce. In 1917 the Supreme Court expanded upon the Mann Act to permit additional federal prosecution of noncommercial, noncoercive interstate "debauchery" in Caminetti v. United States, 242 US 470. The federal government later relied on this precedent to investigate high-profile individuals, such as actor Charlie Chaplin, for sexual activity unrelated to prostitution.
