So why is the case in federal court? There are many angles to the involvement of federal prosecutors, the FBI says. The FBI can investigate kidnappings, which it did in this case. The FBI can also be called to assist with a violent crime in a public place. The cell phone Ashley carried before she went missing is considered an instrument of interstate commerce – a federally-regulated activity. But while all that points to the FBI’s investigation, it’s allegedly lying to a federal agent that landed Peter Wilson in federal court.