Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca10-13-06236/USCOURTS-ca10-13-06236-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Simona Gallegos
Appellant
United States of America
Appellee

Document Text:

PUBLISH 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS 

FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT 

_________________________________ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 

 Plaintiff - Appellee, 

v. 

SIMONA GALLEGOS, 

 Defendant - Appellant. 

No. 13-6236 

_________________________________ 

Appeal from the United States District Court 

for the Western District of Oklahoma 

(D.C. No. 5:12-CR-00297-2)

_________________________________ 

James L. Hankins, Edmond, Oklahoma, for Defendant-Appellant. 

David McCrary, Assistant United States Attorney (Sanford C. Coats, United States 

Attorney, and Leslie M. Maye, Assistant United States Attorney, with him on the brief), 

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for Plaintiff-Appellee. 

_________________________________ 

Before BRISCOE, Chief Judge, TYMKOVICH and MORITZ, Circuit Judges. 

_________________________________ 

MORITZ, Circuit Judge. 

_________________________________ 

Simona Gallegos appeals her convictions for one count of conspiracy to 

distribute methamphetamine and to possess methamphetamine with intent to 

distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 and 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); two counts of 

possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. 

FILED 

United States Court of Appeals

Tenth Circuit 

April 30, 2015

Elisabeth A. Shumaker 

Clerk of Court

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 1 
2 

§ 841(a)(1); and one count of use of a communication facility to facilitate the 

distribution of methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). 

Gallegos argues (1) the district court erred in admitting the hearsay statements 

of her alleged co-conspirators; (2) the government presented insufficient evidence to 

support her convictions; (3) a fatal variance occurred because the indictment charged 

a single large conspiracy but the evidence at trial proved only multiple smaller 

conspiracies; (4) the district court erred in admitting testimony regarding her codefendant’s post-arrest request for an attorney; and (5) the cumulative effect of these 

errors requires reversal. Because sufficient evidence supports Gallegos’ convictions 

and because her remaining claims do not warrant reversal under our plain-error test, 

we affirm. 

BACKGROUND

Simona Gallegos’ convictions arose from law enforcement’s investigation into 

the activities of Iran Zamarripa, the regional supervisor of an international 

methamphetamine ring. Based on her alleged involvement in Zamarripa’s 

organization, Gallegos was tried alongside her common-law husband, Pedro Juarez, 

and two of their alleged co-conspirators, Bani Moreno and Edgardo Josue Aguilar. 

At trial, Special Agent Casey Cox testified about Moreno’s post-arrest request 

for an attorney. Although Moreno initially agreed to speak with Cox, after Cox began 

to probe Moreno’s involvement in the drug trade, Moreno declined to answer further 

questions without an attorney present. None of the defendants’ attorneys objected to 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 2 
3 

Cox’s testimony, and Moreno declined the district court’s offer of a curative 

instruction. 

Unlike Moreno and Aguilar, both of whom purchased methamphetamine from 

Zamarripa by the pound, Gallegos assisted Juarez in obtaining considerably smaller 

quantities of methamphetamine from Zamarripa and his local manager, Alfredo 

Resendiz. For example, on one occasion, Zamarripa instructed Resendiz to deliver a 

half-ounce of methamphetamine to Gallegos because Juarez was at work. Gallegos 

partially paid for the fronted methamphetamine ten days later. On another occasion, 

Gallegos met Resendiz to pick up more methamphetamine for Juarez and to pay for a 

half-ounce of methamphetamine Zamarripa previously fronted Juarez. On still 

another occasion, Gallegos called Resendiz and used a code word to order a halfounce of methamphetamine for Juarez. In that call, Gallegos stressed the need for 

prompt delivery because Juarez “ha[d] people[] waiting.” Intercept Tr., Supp. R., 

at 8. When Resendiz arrived at the apartment Gallegos and Juarez shared, he 

delivered the methamphetamine to Gallegos. 

Based on this evidence, the jury found Gallegos guilty of one count of 

conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and to possess methamphetamine with 

intent to distribute; two counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to 

distribute; and one count of use of a communication facility to facilitate the 

distribution of methamphetamine. The district court sentenced Gallegos to 144 

months in prison, and Gallegos appealed. 

 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 3 
4 

DISCUSSION

I. Gallegos forfeited her hearsay argument. 

Gallegos first argues the district court erred in admitting hearsay statements of 

her alleged co-conspirators absent independent evidence she conspired with them to 

distribute methamphetamine. But because Gallegos fails to identify any specific 

statements on appeal, we decline to reach this issue. See United States v. Thornburgh, 

645 F.3d 1197, 1210 (10th Cir. 2011) (refusing to address appellant’s challenge to 

admission of co-conspirator statements when appellant neglected to identify any 

specific statements on appeal; failure to identify specific statements prevented court 

from determining whether statements were offered for truth of matters asserted); see 

also United States v. Lewis, 594 F.3d 1270, 1284-85 (10th Cir. 2010) (declining to 

examine each record page cited in appellant’s brief to determine whether any coconspirator statements contained therein were hearsay and, if so, whether their 

admission prejudiced appellant). 

II. The government presented sufficient evidence to support Gallegos’ 

convictions, and any prejudice arising from the alleged variance does not 

warrant reversal under our plain-error test. 

A. Sufficiency of the Evidence 

Next, Gallegos challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting all four 

of her convictions. Although the parties disagree as to whether we should review 

Gallegos’ sufficiency claims de novo or for plain error, a conviction in the absence of 

sufficient evidence will almost always satisfy all four plain-error requirements. Thus, 

our review for plain error in this context differs little from our de novo review of a 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 4 
5 

properly preserved sufficiency claim. See United States v. Rufai, 732 F.3d 1175, 1189 

(10th Cir. 2013) (quoting United States v. Duran, 133 F.3d 1324, 1335 n.9 (10th Cir. 

1998)) (concluding plain-error review and review for sufficient evidence “‘usually 

amount to largely the same exercise’”). Under the sufficiency-of-the-evidence test, 

we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government and ask whether 

the evidence—and any reasonable inferences to be drawn from it—would allow a 

reasonable jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. United States 

v. Green, 435 F.3d 1265, 1272 (10th Cir. 2006). 

Likening the facts of this case to those in United States v. Evans, 970 F.2d 663 

(10th Cir. 1992), Gallegos insists we must reverse her conspiracy conviction under 

the “buyer-seller rule” because the government established only that she obtained 

methamphetamine for personal use. See United States v. Patterson, 713 F.3d 1237, 

1245-46 (10th Cir. 2013) (pointing out that an individual who merely purchases 

drugs from a member of a conspiracy is not automatically part of the conspiracy); 

United States v. Watson, 594 F.2d 1330, 1337 (10th Cir. 1979) (recognizing “that 

proof of the existence of a buyer-seller relationship, without more, is inadequate to 

tie the buyer to a larger conspiracy”). 

But unlike in Evans, where the evidence demonstrated the defendant obtained 

crack-cocaine from a member of the conspiracy on a single occasion and solely for 

her personal use, the evidence here established Gallegos repeatedly procured 

methamphetamine from Resendiz on Juarez’s behalf, knowing full well Juarez 

planned to distribute it. 970 F.2d at 673. Under those circumstances, the buyer-seller 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 5 
6 

rule does not apply. See United States v. Ivy, 83 F.3d 1266, 1285-86 (10th Cir. 1996) 

(explaining that purpose of buyer-seller rule is to separate consumers who do not 

intend to redistribute drugs for profit from distributors who intend to further 

objective of conspiracy by distributing drugs to others). 

Gallegos disagrees, arguing the buyer-seller rule precludes her conviction even 

if she purchased methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Citing United States 

v. Johnson, 592 F.3d 749 (7th Cir. 2010), she maintains that “a drug purchaser does 

not enter into a conspiracy with his supplier simply by reselling the drugs to his own 

customers.” Id. at 752. But Johnson’s interpretation of the buyer-seller rule is 

contrary to this court’s precedent. See Ivy, 83 F.3d at 1285-86 (explaining buyerseller rule applies only to end users). 

Moreover, in Johnson the Seventh Circuit specifically recognized that 

evidence of fronting coupled with evidence of repeat drug purchases is sufficient “to 

distinguish a conspiracy from a nonconspiratorial buyer-seller relationship.” 592 F.3d 

at 755 n.5. Here, Gallegos was involved in multiple drug transactions with Resendiz, 

and she both received and paid for fronted drugs. Thus, even under Johnson’s 

broader interpretation of the buyer-seller rule, a reasonable jury could have found 

Gallegos acted as more than a mere buyer. 

To support Gallegos’ conspiracy conviction, the government was required to 

prove she (1) agreed with at least one other person to violate the law, (2) knew of the 

conspiracy’s objectives, and (3) knowingly and voluntarily involved herself in the 

conspiracy. The government also was required to demonstrate (4) interdependence 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 6 
7 

among the co-conspirators. See United States v. Foy, 641 F.3d 455, 465 (10th Cir. 

2011).

Here, the jury heard a recorded telephone call during which Gallegos asked 

Resendiz to deliver a half-ounce of methamphetamine to the apartment she shared 

with Juarez because Juarez “ha[d] people[] waiting.” Intercept Tr., Supp. R., at 8. 

When Resendiz arrived, he delivered the requested methamphetamine to Gallegos. 

From this evidence alone, the jury could have inferred an agreement to distribute 

methamphetamine.1 See United States v. Johnson, 42 F.3d 1312, 1319 (10th Cir. 

1994) (explaining jury may infer agreement between two or more parties based on 

circumstantial evidence indicating concerted action directed toward common goal). 

Evidence showing Gallegos received methamphetamine from Resendiz on 

credit and paid Resendiz for methamphetamine he fronted Juarez provided further 

evidence of an agreement to distribute. See United States v. Small, 423 F.3d 1164, 

1184 (10th Cir. 2005) (explaining that fronting arrangement strongly suggests 

expectation individual who receives drugs on credit will redistribute them for profit); 

United States v. Nichols, 374 F.3d 959, 961, 969 (10th Cir. 2004), cert. granted, 

 

1

 Gallegos complains the government did not prove she agreed to distribute 85 

pounds of methamphetamine as alleged in the indictment. But it didn’t have to. See 

United States v. Anaya, 727 F.3d 1043, 1050-51 & n.4 (10th Cir. 2013), cert. denied, 

135 S. Ct. 419 (2014) (explaining government need not prove defendant “knew of 

every type or amount of drug trafficked” to support conspiracy conviction). 

Moreover, the government presented sufficient evidence to prove Gallegos personally 

took part in drug deals involving more than two ounces of methamphetamine, which 

is more than the 50 grams for which the jury found the conspiracy responsible for 

sentencing purposes. See 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(A) (authorizing prison sentence of ten 

years to life when amount of methamphetamine possessed with intent to distribute 

exceeds 50 grams). 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 7 
8 

judgment vacated, 543 U.S. 1113, opinion reinstated, 410 F.3d 1186 (10th Cir. 2005) 

(hypothesizing that evidence of fronting arrangement would have allowed reasonable 

jury to find existence of agreement to distribute between defendant and supplier). 

The same evidence also was sufficient to prove Gallegos knew of the 

conspiracy’s objectives and knowingly and voluntary involved herself in the 

conspiracy. Based on Gallegos’ phone call to Resendiz—during which she used code 

to request delivery of a half-ounce of methamphetamine to the apartment she shared 

with Juarez because Juarez had people “waiting”—a reasonable jury could conclude 

Gallegos was privy to the conspiracy’s goal of distributing methamphetamine. And 

from Gallegos’ repeated actions in furtherance of this goal, e.g., calling Resendiz to 

order methamphetamine, accepting delivery of methamphetamine when Juarez was 

unavailable, and making payments for methamphetamine on Juarez’s behalf, a 

reasonable jury could also infer her knowing and voluntary involvement. See United 

States v. Bell, 154 F.3d 1205, 1208 (10th Cir. 1998) (explaining jury may presume 

defendant who acts in furtherance of conspiracy’s goals is knowing participant). 

Finally, evidence of Gallegos’ participation in the fronting arrangement also 

demonstrated interdependence. See United States v. Acosta-Gallardo, 656 F.3d 1109, 

1124 (10th Cir. 2011); Small, 423 F.3d at 1185 (citing United States v. Roberts, 14 

F.3d 502, 511 (10th Cir. 1993)) (reasoning fronting arrangement creates situation of 

mutual dependence because seller’s ability to front drugs depends on receipt of 

money due). Further, Gallegos benefitted from her role in the arrangement even if she 

did not profit from it financially because her participation aided the endeavors of her 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 8 
9 

common-law husband. Aplt. Br. at 29. See United States v. Hamilton, 587 F.3d 1199, 

1209-10 & n.6 (10th Cir. 2009) (finding sufficient evidence of interdependence when 

defendant’s loyalty to half-brother, rather than desire to profit financially, motivated 

him to assist in illegal drug business). 

We conclude the government presented sufficient evidence to prove Gallegos 

purchased methamphetamine, not merely for her personal use, but as part of a 

conspiracy to distribute it. And because Gallegos’ challenges to the sufficiency of the 

evidence supporting her convictions for possession with intent to distribute and use 

of a communication facility rely entirely on the alleged lack of evidence supporting 

her conspiracy conviction, we reject those challenges as well. 

B. Variance 

In a related argument, Gallegos contends the government’s evidence failed to 

prove the conspiracy charged in the indictment, i.e., the evidence varied from the 

indictment. See United States v. Carnagie, 533 F.3d 1231, 1237 (10th Cir. 2008) 

(explaining variance arises when indictment charges single large conspiracy but 

government proves only existence of multiple smaller conspiracies at trial). In the 

context of a conspiracy conviction, we treat a variance claim as a challenge to the 

sufficiency of the evidence establishing that each defendant was a member of the 

same conspiracy. Id. 

Because Gallegos did not raise her variance claim below, we review only for 

plain error. See United States v. Bailey, 327 F.3d 1131, 1142 (10th Cir. 2003). To 

show plain error, Gallegos must demonstrate (1) an error, (2) that is clear or obvious 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 9 
10 

under current law, and (3) that affected her substantial rights. If Gallegos makes such 

a showing, we may reverse only if (4) the error seriously affected the fairness, 

integrity, or public reputation of the proceedings. United States v. Cooper, 654 F.3d 

1104, 1117 (10th Cir. 2011).

Gallegos contends the government proved—if anything—that she conspired 

with Juarez alone, rather than with the members of the larger conspiracy. Gallegos 

argues this alleged variance created “a substantial ‘spillover’ effect” by permitting 

the jury “to associate [her] with crimes for which there was no evidence of her 

involvement (i.e., dealing with a Mexican drug cartel to acquire huge quantities of 

meth, shipping into the United States, operating a distribution network with interstate 

and even international scope, and distributing 85 pounds of meth).” Aplt. Br. at 30. 

But even assuming the existence of a variance that constitutes clear and 

obvious error, we find little risk of any “spillover” here, let alone one so prejudicial 

as to satisfy the third prong of the plain-error test. See United States v. RosalesMiranda, 755 F.3d 1253, 1258 (10th Cir. 2014) (explaining error affects defendant’s 

substantial rights for purposes of plain-error test if defendant demonstrates 

reasonable probability result of proceeding would have been different but for alleged 

error). 

To determine whether a variance prejudiced the defendant in the context of an 

alleged conspiracy, we focus on the possibility of jury confusion and the strength of 

the evidence proving the defendant’s involvement in the smaller conspiracy. See 

Carnagie, 533 F.3d at 1241, 1244. In assessing the possibility of jury confusion, we 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 10 
11 

consider, among other things, the number of defendants tried together and the number 

of separate conspiracies proved. We also look to the complexity of the evidence and 

the jury’s ability to distinguish the evidence against one defendant from the evidence 

against his or her co-defendants. See id. at 1242. 

 Here, Gallegos was tried with only three other defendants and the government 

proved a maximum of three individual conspiracies. Moreover, the jury could have 

easily distinguished the evidence against Gallegos, who assisted in procuring 

methamphetamine in smaller quantities for her common-law husband, from the 

evidence against her co-defendants Moreno and Aguilar, who purchased 

methamphetamine from Zamarripa by the pound. And overwhelming evidence 

established Gallegos’ involvement in a smaller conspiracy with Juarez and Resendiz 

to distribute at least fifty grams of methamphetamine. Under these circumstances, 

Gallegos cannot show a reasonable probability the result of her trial would have been 

different but for the alleged variance. Thus, she fails to satisfy the third prong of our 

plain-error test. 

 She also fails to satisfy the fourth prong. Given the overwhelming evidence 

establishing Gallegos’ involvement in the smaller conspiracy, we conclude the 

alleged variance did not seriously affect the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of 

the proceedings. See United States v. Gonzalez Edeza, 359 F.3d 1246, 1251 (10th Cir. 

2004) (interpreting fourth prong of plain-error test to prohibit reversal when evidence 

of defendant’s guilt on charged crime or closely related crime is “‘overwhelming’ 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 11 
12 

and ‘essentially uncontroverted’” (quoting Johnson v. United States, 520 U.S. 461, 

470 (1997))). 

Gallegos’ failure to meet the third and fourth prongs of our plain-error test is 

fatal to her claim. See United States v. Algarate-Valencia, 550 F.3d 1238, 1243 & n.3 

(10th Cir. 2008) (declining to address first prong of plain-error test when defendant’s 

failure to satisfy third prong was determinative of claim). Even if a variance 

occurred, it does not warrant reversal of Gallegos’ conspiracy conviction. 

III. Gallegos fails to show the admission of Cox’s testimony warrants reversal. 

 Next, Gallegos argues the district court erred in admitting Cox’s testimony 

regarding Moreno’s post-arrest request for an attorney. Gallegos’ failure to object to 

Cox’s testimony again triggers plain-error review. See United States v. Rice, 52 F.3d 

843, 845 (10th Cir. 1995) (applying plain-error review to unpreserved Doyle2 claim). 

Gallegos maintains the jury viewed evidence of Moreno’s post-arrest request 

for an attorney as indicative of his guilt, and then imputed evidence of Moreno’s guilt 

to her. But even if the jury viewed Cox’s testimony as evidence of Moreno’s guilt, 

Gallegos fails to demonstrate that admission of his testimony prejudiced her 

substantial rights. As discussed, the government presented distinct evidence against 

Moreno and Gallegos, giving the jury little reason to paint the two with the same 

broad brush. Moreover, in light of the overwhelming evidence of Gallegos’ 

 

2

 In Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 619 (1976), the United States Supreme Court 

concluded the use of the petitioners’ post-arrest silence for impeachment purposes 

violated their due process rights. See also Wainwright v. Greenfield, 474 U.S. 284, 

286-87, 295 (1986) (applying Doyle to prosecutor’s comment on respondent’s postarrest request for attorney). 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 12 
13 

involvement in at least the smaller conspiracy, Gallegos cannot show the admission 

of Cox’s testimony about her co-defendant affected the outcome of her own trial even 

if the jury somehow considered it as evidence of her guilt. Thus, Gallegos fails to 

satisfy our plain-error test. See Rosales-Miranda, 755 F.3d at 1258; AlgarateValencia, 550 F.3d at 1243 & n.3. 

IV. We reject Gallegos’ claim of cumulative error. 

Finally, for the reasons discussed above, we find Gallegos’ cumulative-error 

claim unpersuasive. Even if we assume the alleged variance and the Doyle violation 

constituted clear and obvious errors under current law, Gallegos fails to show that the 

effect of those errors—whether considered individually or cumulatively—warrants 

reversal of her convictions under plain-error review. See United States v. Caraway, 

534 F.3d 1290, 1302 (10th Cir. 2008) (noting defendant asserting cumulative 

unpreserved error must “overcome the hurdles necessary to establish plain error”). 

CONCLUSION

We conclude that when viewed in the light most favorable to the government, 

the evidence was more than sufficient to support Gallegos’ convictions. And given 

the strength of this evidence, Gallegos’ claims regarding the alleged variance and the 

admission of Cox’s testimony fail under the third and fourth prongs of plain-error 

review. Gallegos’ convictions are affirmed. 

Appellate Case: 13-6236 Document: 01019423642 Date Filed: 04/30/2015 Page: 13