### F I LE D U. S . COURT OF AP PE ALS E LEVE NTH CI RCUI T A pr i l 13, 2005 T HOM AS K. KAHN C L E RK [ P UB L I S H] I N THE UN I TE D STATE S C OU RT OF APPE ALS F O R T H E E L E V E N T H C IR C U IT

________________________ N o. 03- 10350

________________________ D. C . Do c k e tNo . 0 1 - 0 0 8 1 2 - C R - P AS U N I T E D S T A T E S O F A M E R I C A , P la in tif f - A p p e lle e , v ersu s J O S E R O L A N D O G A R C I A , L E O N A R D O A N T O N I O E N R I Q U E Z - V A L D E S , a .k .a . L e o , A L B E R T O A R T I R E S , E N I C I O M E R C A D O , D e f e n d a n ts - A p p e lla n ts .

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rom the U ni t ed S t at es D i stri ctC ou rt f orthe S outhe rn D i s tr i c tof F l or i da

_________________________ ( A p r i l13, 2005)*Honora ble J ane A . Restani, Chief Judg e, United States Court of International Trade , sitti ngby designation. The jury acquitted both Ga

rcia and Mercado of

charg es that they

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ri jua na , ac quitt e d M erc a do of

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jua na , a nd a c quitt e d Juli o Artire s o n all c ha rg e s ag ains t him. A dditi on ally, th ejur y foun d c o- de fenda

nt F e lip eSua

re z guilty on all c ountsc ha

rg e d ag ains t him. H ow e ver, Sua re z did no t a pp e al e ith er his c onvic tio n o r his sentenc e. 2 B e f or e E D M O N D S O N , C hi e f J udge , W I L S O N , C i r c ui tJ udge , a nd R E S T A N I *, Judg e. P E R C U R I A M: W e w ith d r a w o u rp r e v io u s o p in io n is s u e d o n M a r c h 2 2 , 2 0 0 5 , a n d r e p la c e it w i th thi s opi ni on. T h i s ap p eal ari ses o u to f th e co n v i ct i o n s an d sen t en ces o f ap p el l an t s Jo se R o la n d o G a r c ia , L e o n a r d o A n to n io E n r iq u e z - V a ld e s , A lb e r to A r tir e s , a n d E n ic io M e r c a do. A f

t e ra tw e l ve da y tr i a l , a j ury f ound the s e f

ourappe l l a nt s gui l ty of conspi ra cyt o m anufacture a nd po ss es s w i th i nt entt o d i stri bu t e 100 or m ore m ar i j uana pl ant s i n v i ol at i on of 21 U . S . C . § 8 46 . G ar ci a, V al des a nd A rt i re s w er e a l s o c onvi c t e d f

orm a i nt a i ni ng a pl a c e f orthe purpos e of

m a nuf a c tur i ng m a r i

j ua na i n vi ol a t i on of

21 U . S . C . § 856( a ) ( 1) . A ddi t i ona l l y , the j ury f ound V a l de s a nd A rt i re s gui l ty of m anufacturi ng m ar i j uana i n v i ol at i on of 21 U . S . C . § 8 41 (a )( 1). 1 O n appe a l , the appe l l a nt s c ont e nd tha tthe di s tr i c tc our tm a de a va r i e ty of e rr or s , i nc l udi ng: ( 1) the de ni a l of appe l l a nt s ’ m ot i ons s e e ki ng j udgm e ntofAl l ot her i ssue s raise d o n a

pp e al dono t merit f

ur ther discus sio n a

nd aresumma

ri ly 2 reje cted. 3 ac qu i tt al on i nsuffi ci ency of the evi dence groun ds; (2) the adm i ss i on of i m prop er a nd i rr e l e va nte vi de nc e ; ( 3) the de ni a l of j oi ntm ot i ons f

orm i s tr i a l or , i n the a l t e rna t i ve , s e ve r a nc e ba s e d on the a l l e ge d i m pr ope ra nd pr e j udi c i a l c l os i ng ar gu m entof coun se l for V al des; (4) the re j ec t i on of G ar ci a’ s propo se d j ury in stru ctio n fo r a cc es so ry af ter th e f ac t; (5 ) a t sen ten cin g , th e d en ial o f V ald es ’s m ot i on for are du ct i on i n sent ence pu rs uantt o U . S . S . G . § 5 C 1. 2, the “ sa fe ty- val ve” prov i si on ; and (6) atse nt enci ng , the court ’ s f i nd i ng thatA l bert o A rt i re s w as r e s pons i bl e f

orove r300 m a r i

j ua na pl a nt s w he n the j ury s pe c i f i c a l l y f ound tha the w as n o ti n v o l v ed i n m o re th an 1 0 0 m ari j u an a p l an t s. 2 A s t o the c onvi c t i ons a nd s e nt e nc e s of G a r c i a a nd M e r c a do, w e f i nd no e rr or a nd a f f i r m . A s t o V a l de s a nd A l be r t o A r t i r e s , w e a f f i r m the i rc onvi c t i ons , but va c a t e the j udgm e nt s a nd r e m a nd f orr e - s e nt e nc i ng. I . F AC T UA L B AC KG R OU ND T hi s c a s e i nvol ve s a ne tw or k of m a r i j ua na gr ow hous e s , both a c t i ve a nd di s m a nt l e d, l oc a t e d thr oughoutS outh F l or i da . D ur i ng the c our s e of the g o v ern m en ti n v est i g at i o n , w h i ch sp an n ed o v er a p eri o d o f o n e an d o n e-h al f years, agent s s ea rc hed and i nv es t i gat ed atl ea sttw el ve re si dences l ocat ed i n and nearThe cultivation of marijuana require s a ver y controlled environment. Marijuana grow 3 houses are sealed both to conce al the illeg al ac tivity and to keep out the natural light. Highwattag efluo re sc ent l ightsareus e d tofo cus artif ic ial li ght o n th epla

ntsand Mylar f ilmis attache d to the walls to stimul ate growth and alleg edly minimi ze detection by

infra- red detection devic e s. B e c a

us etheartif

ic ial li ght emit s la

rg equ antitie s o f h e at, gro w h ou se s a rety pic ally equipped with a venting system including e xhaust fans a nd larg e air

conditioning units. Youngmarijuana

plants arefirst grown in plastic starter trays before they are transplanted to a

material called “rock w ool” and plac ed in larg e buckets with ceramic rocks called “ grow rocks.” Tog ether , the roc k wool and grow rocks act a s a soil substitute. Water a nd fer tiliz er a re pumpe d through PVC pipes into hol es drilled in the buckets. To harve st the m ari j u an a n ar co ti c, th e l eav es an d s t em s o nth e p l ant s ar e c l ip p edaw ay an d th e c o l l as es , l arge m a s s e s o f b u d s c o v ere d

w i tha s ti c ky re s i n , arehungt o dr y. 4 M ia m i. 3 In M ay o f 2 0 0 0 , th e F B I received a co n fi d en t i al t i p th atY o v an n i E sp i n o sa w as op er at i ng a grow ho use i n an eff i ci ency apartm entbehi nd a hou se l ocat ed at 15604 N . W . 37th A ve nue i n O pa L oc ka , F l or i da . U pon e xe c ut i ng a s e a r c h w a rr a nt a tthi s l oc a t i on on J une 19, 2000, a ge nt s di s c ove r e d a f ul l y f unc t i oni ng m a r i

j ua na gr ow hous e w i th 104 m a r i j ua na pl a nt s pl us a ddi t i ona l de c om pos i ng pl a nt s . T he s ubj e c tapa r tm e ntha d a hi gh- vol t a ge l i ght i ng s y s t e m , a s e l f - c ont a i ne d i rr i ga t i on a n d f e r tiliz a tio n s y s te m , M y la r - c o v e r e d w a lls , a n d la r g e a irc o n d itio n in g u n its . T he a ge nt s a l s o di s c ove r e d m i s c e l l a ne ous phot ogr aphs a tthe r e s i de nc e . O ne p h o to g r ap h w a s a p ic tu r e o f a g r o u p o f

m e n , in c lu d in g c o - d e f

e n d a n ts A lb e r to A r tir e s , F e lip e S u a r e z , E n ic io M e r c a d o , J a v ie rR e y , a n d P e d r o P ab lo A ld a o . A nothe rpi c tur e de pi c t e d a hous e num be r e d “ 8504” a nd w ha tappe a r e d t o be the s a m e v e h ic le a s a v e h ic le lo c a te d a t th e h o u s e b e in g s e a r c h e d .Suarez was listed as the subscriber on theelec tric re cords f or 8504 Sheraton Drive from 4 October 12, 1999 through Dec ember 15, 2000. 5 O n J une 20, 2000, the a ge nt s s e a r c he d E s pi nos a ’ s pr ope r ty l oc a t e d a t2968 N orthw es t87 th T erra ce i n M i am i , F l ori da. A tthi s a dd re ss , the agent s m etA l dao and d i sc ov er ed 48 m ature m ar i j uana pl ant s thathad b ee n h arvest ed and w er e h an g i n g t o d ry. A d d i t i o n al l y, ag en t s fo u n d 4 7 i m m atu re m ari j u an a p l an t s, m a r iju a n a s e e d lin g s in s ta r te rtr a y s , tw o liv e m o th e rp la n ts , a n d e q u ip m e n t u s e d to h y d r o p o n ic a lly g r o w m a r iju a n a . O n J une 21, 2000, a tE s pi nos a ’ s 15604 N . W . 37th A ve nue r e s i de nc e , the agent s s ei ze d a ph ot og raph cont ai ni ng a s po rt s ut i l i ty vehi cl e, w hi ch they l at er de t e r m i ne d w a s r e gi s t e r e d t o c o- de f e nda ntF e l i pe S ua r e z . U pon s e a r c hi ng Su a r e z ’ s r e s i d e n c e l o c a t e d a t8 5 0 4 Sh e r a t o n D r i v e , M i r a ma r , Fl o r i d a th a ts a me 4 da y , a ge nt s f

ound de c om pos i ng m a r i j ua na m a t e r i a l , pa r aphe rna l i a f orgr ow i ng m ar i j uana, and a bedroo m thatappeare d t o h ave been equi pp ed t o g row m ar i j uana, b u t h a d b e e n d is m a n tle d . H a vi ng r e c e i ve d c onf

i de nt i a l i nf

or m a t i on w hi l e a t8504 S he r a t on D r i ve , the agent s i m m edi at el y s ea rc hed 8 54 5 L on g A cr e D ri ve i n M i ra m ar , F l ori da. A ft er M a r io A r tir e s , th e b r o th e ro f A lb e r to A r tir e s , c o n s e n te d to th e s e a r c h , th e a g e n ts di s c ove r e d 90 m a r i

j ua na pl a nt s a nd m a r i

j ua na c ul t i va t i on pa r aphe rna l i a i n a b e d r o o m th a t h a d b e e n c o n v e r te d in to a g r o w lab .6

O n J une 23, 2000, i n r e s pons e t o i nf or m a t i on f

r om a c onf

i de nt i a l s our c e , the a ge nt s s e a r c he d a hom e a t9290 S . W . 149th S tr e e t , M i a m i , F l or i da , the hom e of R e y na l do A r t i r e s , br othe rof A l be r t o a nd M a r i o A r t i r e s . T he r e , a ge nt s f ound m ar i j uana cul t i vat i on m at er i al s a nd a di sm ant l ed grow ho use i n R ey nal do ’ s gar age, b u t d idn o t fin d an y m ar ij u an a p lan ts. A ftern o ti cin g th at R ey n ald o ’s d riv er ’s l i c e ns e l i s t e d 1165 W . 33r d S tr e e t , H i a l e a h, F l or i da , a s hi s a ddr e s s i ns t e a d of the hom e be i ng s e a r c he d, the a ge nt s i m m e di a t e l y c ont i nue d t o tha ta ddr e s s . A t1165 W . 3 3 rd S treet , th e ag en t s m etG arci a, w h o t o l d th em th ath e w as ren t i n g th e h o u se f r om R e y na l do. T he a ge nt s di d notf i nd a ny thi ng i n the r e s i de nc e , buta pol i c e dog al ert ed th em t o p o t en t i al co n trab an d i n an effi ci en cy ap artm en tad j o i n i n g th e h o u se and a w hi t e van parked i n the dri vew ay . In the apartm ent , the agent s di sc ov er ed m a r iju a n a c u ltiv a tio n m a te r ia ls , m a r iju a n a le a v e s , a n d a d is m a n tle d g r o w h o u s e . N ot abl y , tw o f

i nge rpr i nt s on the M y l a rf i l m c ove r i ng the w a l l s i n the apa r tm e nt m at ched the fi ng erpri nt s of G ar ci a. A dd i t i on al l y, the w hi t e van, w hi ch w as r e g i s t e r e d t o Ga r c i a , c o n t a i n e d a p l a s t i c s t a r t e rtr a y , f i v e - g a l l o n b u c k e t s , P VC pi pi ng , and o ther m at er i al s thatthe agent s had ob se rved i n o ther grow ho uses d u r in g th e in v e s tig a tio n o f th is c o n s p ir a c y . O n J u ly 5 , 2 0 0 0 , a g e n ts s e a r c h e d 3 0 9 2 N .W . 1 5 th S tr e e t, M ia m i, F lo r id a . E s p in o s a h a d p r e v io u s ly liv e d a t th is a d d r e s s u n til it w a s p u r c h a s e d b y S u a r e z .7

U pon the a rr i va l of

the a ge nt s , the c urr e ntt e na nt , J a vi e rR e y , a n i ndi c t e d c oc o n s p ir a to rw h o p le d g u ilty p r io rto tr ia l, c o n s e n te d to th e s e a r c h . A t 3 0 9 2 N .W . 15th S tr e e t , the a ge nt s di s c ove r e d a di s m a nt l e d gr ow hous e a nd m a r i j ua na c ul t i va t i on m a t e r i a l s . O n J ul y 10, 2000, a ge nt s s e a r c he d a hom e l oc a t e d a t11601 S . W . 9 th C o u rti n P em b ro k e P i n es, F l o ri d a. T h ere, th e ag en t s m etJu l i o A rt i res, w h o r e n te d th e h o m e . T h e f o llo w in g d a y , a g e n ts s e iz e d ite m s s u c h a s a n a ir h a n d le r , f

lu o r e s c e n t lig h ts , a c o o le r , a n d a d ig ita l s c a le f r o m th e r e s id e n c e . A pp roxi m at el y ni ne m on ths l at er , on A pri l 6, 20 01 , the agent s s ea rc hed 31 29 N . W . 13 th A venu e, M i am i , F l ori da af t erre ce i vi ng a t i p from an i nd ustri al gas vend or. T here , the agent s f ou nd a pl as t i c tra y f

i l l ed w i th 1 7 b ags of proces se d m a r i j ua na , unus e d r oc k w ool , P V C pi pi ng, c e r a m i c gr ow r oc ks , a nd a s c a l e . I n one of the ba thr oom s of

the r e s i de nc e , hol e s ha d be e n dr i l l e d i nt o the c e i l i ng a nd the w i nd ow w as se al ed w i th M yl arfi l m and d uctt ape. T hatday a gent s a l so se ar ched 1285- 87 N . W . 28th S tr e e t , M i a m i , F l or i da , w he r e the y a ga i n f ound m a r i

j ua na c u ltiv a tio n p a r ap h e rn a lia . F iv e m o n th s la te r , o n S e p te m b e r2 6 , 2 0 0 1 , th e a g e n ts s e a r c h e d 8 6 0 0 N .W . 3 0 th R o a d , M ia m i, F lo r id a . A t th is r e s id e n c e , th e a g e n ts m e t V a ld e s . I n a s m a ll apa r tm e nta tthe r e a rof

the r e s i de nc e , the a ge nt s f ound a f ul l y - f unc t i oni ng gr ow ho use w i th 1 17 m ar i

j uana pl ant s. A pp roxi m at el y three survei l l ance ca m er as w er e8

m ou nt ed on the roof of the sm al l apartm ent . T he w i re s f or thi s s urvei l l ance sy st em r a n f r o m th e ap a r tm e n t in to th e m a in r e s id e n c e . T h e a g e n ts r e c o v e r e d f in g e rp r in ts th a t m a tc h e d M e r c a d o ’s f in g e rp r in ts f

r o m th e M y la rf

ilm f o u n d in th e ap a r tm e n t. A c c or di ng t o the e l e c tr i c i ty r e c or ds , V a l de s w a s the s ubs c r i be rf orboth the ap a r tm e n t a n d th e m a in r e s id e n c e . O n O c t obe r17 a nd 18, 2001, a ge nt s s e a r c he d 15601 N . W . 39th C our t , O pa L oc ka , F l or i da , a n a ddr e s s f orw hi c h A l be r t o A r t i r e s w a s l i s t e d a s the s ubs c r i be ron th e e le c tr ic ity r e c o r d s . A lb e r to A r tir e s c o n s e n te d to th e s e a r c h . T h e r e , a g e n ts f ound m a r i

j ua nac ul t i va t i on pa r aphe rna l i a , s e ve r a l nur s e ry tr a y s w i th m a r i j ua na le a v e s in th e m , a n d s m a ll a m o u n ts o f m a r iju a n a r e s id u e . I n a ddi t i on t o the phy s i c a l e vi de nc e a nd t e s t i m ony of the a ge nt s , gove rnm e nt w i tne s s e s i nc l udi ng c o- c ons pi r a t or s M a nua l H or t a , E s pi nos a , A l da o, a nd H e rna ndo H ernand ez t es t i fi ed agai nstappel l ant s a ttri al . T he go vernm ent ’ s keyw i tness w as E s pi nos a , w ho pl e d gui l ty pr i ort o tr i a l . H e t e s t i f i e d tha tw i thi n a y e a rof m ovi ng t o F l o ri d a fro m C u b a, h e b eg an assi st i n g w i th m ari j u an a cu l t i v at i o n . In i t i al l y, E s pi nos a a nd othe r s , i nc l udi ng i ndi c t e d c o- c ons pi r a t or s A l be r t o, M a r i o, a nd R e y n a ld o A r tir e s , w o u ld a s s is t H e rn a n d e z , a n u n in d ic te d c o - c o n s p ir a to r , m a in ta in g r o w h o u s e s a n d c lip m a r iju a n a p la n ts , in c lu d in g 3 3 p la n ts g r o w n a t 1 6 0 0 N .W . 2 8 th A v e n u e in M ia m i, F lo r id a .9

E s pi nos a a l s o t e s t i f

i e d tha ts i nc e m ovi ng t o F l or i da , he ha s l i ve d i n f our hous e s w i th S ua r e z . W i th the he l p of M e r c a do a nd A l be r t o, M a r i o, a nd R e y na l do A r t i r e s , S ua r e z a nd E s pi nos a gr e w c r ops of appr oxi m a t e l y 40 t o 44 m a r i j ua na pl ant s a ton e hou se . A tanother hou se , S uare z, M er ca do , and E spi no sagrew three c r ops of 30 m a r i j ua na pl a nt s , w hi c h the y dr i e d a nd c l i ppe d w i th the he l p of A l be r t o, M a r i o, a nd R e y na l do A r t i r e s . E s pi nos a t e s t i f i e d tha the , S ua r e z , M e r c a do, a nd A l be r t o a nd J ul i o A r t i r e s a l s o gr e w , dr i e d, a nd c l i ppe d tw o c r ops of 50- 55 m a r iju a n a p la n ts a t a g r o w h o u s e in C a r o l C ity , F lo r id a . E spi no sat es t i fi ed thathe and A l dao, w ho al so pl ed gu i l ty pri or t o tri al , grew th r e e c r o p s o f

ap p r o x im a te ly 4 8 m a r iju a n a p la n ts a t 2 9 6 8 N .W . 8 7 th T e rr a c e in M i a m i . W hi l e E s pi nos a he l d the t i t l e t o the r e s i de nc e , A l da o l i ve d the r e a nd m a i nt a i ne d the pl a nt s w i th the he l p of E s pi nos a , M e r c a do, A l be r t o A r t i r e s , a nd S ua r e z . E s pi nos a a l s o ow ne d 15604 N . W . 37th A ve nue , w he r e he ha r ve s t e d one c r op of 40 m a r i j ua na pl a nt s w i th the he l p of A l be r t o A r t i r e s , M e r c a do, S ua r e z , a nd R e y . E s pi nos a w a s i n the pr oc e s s of gr ow i ng a s e c ond c r op of 40 pl a nt s pl us cul t i vat i ng se edl i ng s w hen h e w as arre st ed. E spi no saal so t es t i fi ed thathe hel ped A l be r t o A r t i r e s c ul t i va t e a c r op of 48 m a r i j ua na pl a nt s a tA r t i r e s ’ s hom e ne a rthe a irp o r t in O p a L o c k a . E spi no sat es t i fi ed thathe and M er ca do se tup a grow ho use f or V al des i n an10

e f f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nta dj oi ni ng a r e a rbe dr oom of V a l de s ’ s hous e l oc a t e d a t8600 N . W . 30 th R oad w hi l e V al des w at ched. W i th see dl i ng s provi ded b y A l dao, V al des p r o c e e d e d to g r o w tw o c r o p s o f m a r iju a n a p la n ts , 5 3 a n d 5 0 p la n ts r e s p e c tiv e ly . T hese cr op s w er e c l i pp ed by E spi no sa , A l bert o A rt i re s, M er ca do , V al des, S uare z, a n d o th e r s . A l dao t es t i fi ed thathe, l i ke E spi no sa , em i grat ed t o F l ori da fr om C ub a. A ft er w or ki ng i n va r i ous j obs , A l da o s t a r t e d c ul t i va t i ng m a r i j ua na c r ops w i th M e r c a do and E spi no sa . M er ca do , E spi no sa , and A l dao g re w a c rop o f over 90 p l ant s a t A l da o’ s hous e . A tthe t i m e of A l da o’ s a rr e s t , he w a s dry i ng hi s s e c ond c r op of 96 m a r iju a n a p la n ts a t 2 9 6 8 N .W . 8 7 th T e rr a c e in M ia m i. H e rn a n d e z , a n u n in d ic te d c o - c o n s p ir a to r , te s tif ie dth a t h e to o m o v e d to F l or i da f r om C uba . A f

t e rbe i ng i ntr oduc e d t o S ua r e z , H e rna nde z a nd S ua r e z s e tup m a n y g r o w h o u s e s to g e th e r . E a c h g r o w h o u s e h a d its o w n s e p a r a te c a r e ta k e r . H e rn a n d e z te s tif

ie d th a t A lb e r to A r tir e s m a y h a v e a s s is te d S u a r e z a n d h im w ith c lip p in g m a r iju a n a p la n ts , a n d th a t A lb e r to A r tir e s a n d h is b r o th e r s p r o v id e d h im w ith m a r iju a n a to s e ll. F B I I nt el l i gence R es ea rc h S peci al i stM aure en H ol l i ng ert es t i fi ed that hu nd re ds of ca l l s had been m ade betw ee n the t el epho ne nu m bers of G ar ci a, A l bert o A rt i re s, M er ca do , and o ther c o-conspi ra t ors. T he anal ys tdi d n ott es t i fy11

tha ta ny c a l l s ha d be e n m a de t o orf r om V a l de s . S he a l s o t e s t i f i e d a s t o the ow ne r s hi p of

the va r i ous r e s i de nc e s i nve s t i ga t e d a nd s e a r c he d by the a ge nt s . S he t e s t i f i e d tha t , f

r om J a nua ry 1997 thr ough O c t obe r2001 ( the s pa n of the c ons pi r a c y ) the f

ol l ow i ng i ndi vi dua l s w e r e the t i t l e ow ne r s of the f ol l ow i ng p r o p e r tie s : E s p in o s a o w n e d 1 5 6 0 4 N .W . 3 7 th A v e n u e , O p a L o c k a , a n d 2 9 6 8 N .W . 87th T e rr a c e , M i a m i ; S ua r e z ow ne d 8504 S he r a t on D r i ve , M i r a m a r , a nd 3092 N . W . 15 th S tre et , M i am i ; M ar i o A rt i re s ow ned 8 54 5 L on g A cr e D ri ve, M i ra m ar ; a n d A lb e r t A r tir e s o w n e d 1 5 6 0 1 N .W . 3 9 th C o u r t, O p a L o c k a .

I I . P R OC E DU R AL B AC KG R OU ND O n A ug ust31 , 20 01 , a f eder al grand j ury i n the S ou thern D i stri ctof F l ori da, M i a m i D i vi s i on, r e turne d a s e a l e d i ndi c tm e ntc ha r gi ng ni ne de f e nda nt s , i nc l udi ng Ga r c i a , wi th v a r i o u s m a r i j u a n a m a n u f

a c tu r i n g a n d d i s tr i b u t i o n o f f e n s e s . On D e c e m be r14, 2001, the gr a nd j ury r e turne d a s upe r s e di ng i ndi c tm e nta ddi ng A l be r t o A r t i r e s , M e r c a do, a nd V a l de s a s de f e nda nt s . C ountI c ha r ge d a l l the d e f e n d a n ts b u t E s p in o s a w ith c o n s p ir in g to m a n u f a c tu r e a n d p o s s e s s w ith in te n t to di s tr i but e 100 orm or e m a r i j ua na pl a nt s , i n vi ol a t i on of 21 U . S . C . §§ 841( a ) ( 1) a nd 846( b) ( 1) ( B ) . T he s upe r s e di ng i ndi c tm e nta l l e ge d tha tthe c ons pi r a c y e xi s t e d f r om J a nua ry 1997 thr ough O c t obe r18, 2001. I n a d d itio n to th e c o n s p ir a c y c h a r g e , G a r c iaa n d A r tir e s w e r e c h a r g e d inThe jury acquitted c o-def

endant Juli o Artires. Co-de fenda nt Suarez was found guilty on 5 all counts cha

rg ed ag ainst him, but di d not appeal his conviction or sentenc e. 12 C ount s 10 a nd 20, r e s pe c t i ve l y , w i th know i ngl y a nd i nt e nt i ona l l y m a nuf a c tur i ng m a r iju a n a in v io la tio n o f 2 1 U .S .C . § § 8 4 1 ( a ) ( 1 ) a n d 8 4 1 ( b ) ( 1 ) ( D ) a n d 1 8 U .S .C . § 2. V al des a nd M er ca do w er e s i m i l ar l y c harged i n C ou nt18 , w hi ch spec i fi ed that the y m a nuf

a c tur e d 100 orm or e m a r i j ua na pl a nt s . G a r c i a w a s c ha r ge d i n C ount11 w i th k no w i ng l y a nd i nt ent i on al l y m ai nt ai ni ng a r es i dence l ocat ed at11 65 W . 33 rd S tr e e t , H i a l e a h, F l or i da f orthe purpos e of

m a nuf a c tur i ng m a r i

j ua na i n vi ol a t i on of 2 1 U .S .C . § § 8 5 6 ( a ) ( 1 ) a n d 1 8 U .S .C . § 2 . V a ld e s a n d M e r c a d o w e r e c h a r g e d in C ount19 w i th know i ngl y a nd i nt e nt i ona l l y m a i nt a i ni ng a r e s i de nc e l oc a t e d a t8600 N .W . 3 0 th R o a d , M ia m i, F lo r id a f o rth e p u rp o s e o f

m a n u f a c tu r in g m a r iju a n a in v io la tio n o f

2 1 U .S .C . § § 8 5 6 ( a ) ( 1 ) a n d 1 8 U .S .C . § 2 . A r tir e s w a s s im ila r ly char ged i n C ou nt21 w i th k no w i ng l y a nd i nt ent i on al l y m ai nt ai ni ng a r es i dence l oc a t e d a t15601 N . W . 39th C our t , O pa L oc ka , F l or i da f orthe purpos e of m a n u f a c tu r in g m a r iju a n a in v io la tio n o f 2 1 U .S .C . § § 8 5 6 ( a ) ( 1 ) a n d 1 8 U .S .C . § 2 . B egi nn i ng S ept em ber 23, 20 02 , appel l ant s a nd tw o o ther c o-defendant s w er e tri ed t og ether before a j ury. N on e of the appel l ant s t es t i fi ed attri al . O n O ct ob er 5 1 1 , 2 0 0 2 , th e ju ry b e g a n its d e lib e r a tio n s . U ltim a te ly , th e ju ry f o u n d ap p e lla n ts gui l ty a s f

ol l ow s : G a r c i a gui l ty of c ons pi r a c y ( C ount1) a nd m a i nt a i ni ng 1165 W . 33r d S tr e e t , H i a l e a h, F l or i da , f orthe purpos e of

m a nuf a c tur i ng m a r i

j ua na ( C ountThe jury acquitted Ga

rcia of the charg es in Count 10, acquitted Merc ado of thecharg es 6 in C ou nts18 and

19 , a nd a c quitt e d Juli o Artire s o n all c ounts . Su are z wa s f ound guilty on all counts cha

rg ing him, but is not a party to this appeal. 13 11) ; V a l de s gui l ty of

c ons pi r a c y ( C ount1) , m a nuf a c tur i ng 100 orm or e m a r i j ua na pl a nt s ( C ount18) , a nd m a i nt a i ni ng 8600 N . W . 30th R oa d, M i a m i , F l or i da , f orthe pu rpose of m anufacturi ng m ar i j uana (C ou nt19 ); A rt i re s gui l ty of c on spi ra cy ( C o u n t 1 ) , m a in ta in in g m a r iju a n a ( C o u n t 2 0 ) , a n d m a in ta in in g 1 5 6 0 1 N .W . 3 9 th C our t , O pa L oc ka , F l or i da , f orthe purpos e of

m a nuf a c tur i ng m a r i

j ua na ( C ount 21) ; a nd M e r c a do gui l ty of c ons pi r a c y ( C ount1) . A ppe l l a nt s w e r e s e nt e nc e d on 6 F e b ru a ry 7 , 2 0 0 3 , a n d a r e c u rr e n tly in c a r c e r a te d . I I I . DI S C US S I ON A . S uffi ci ency of the E vi dence A pp el l ant s c on t end that , because the evi dence w as i nsuffi ci entfor a r e a s onabl e j uryt o c onvi c tthe m , the di s tr i c tc our te rr e d i n de ny i ng the i rm ot i ons for j ud gm entof ac qu i tt al fi l ed pu rs uantt o R ul e 29 o f the F eder al R ul es of C ri m i nal P roce du re . W e r evi ew the suff i ci ency of the evi dence de no vo , vi e w i ng the e v id e n c e in th e lig h t m o s t f a v o r ab le to th e g o v e rn m e n t. U n ite d S ta te s v . S ta r r e tt , 55 F . 3d 1525, 1541 ( 11th C i r . 1995) . W e m us ta f f i r m the appe l l a nt s ’ c onvi c t i ons unl e s s , unde rno r e a s onabl e c ons truc t i on of the e vi de nc e , c oul d the j ury ha ve f ound th e ap p e lla n ts g u ilty b e y o n d a r e a s o n ab le d o u b t. U ni te d State s v . C am ar

go-14

V erg a ra , 57 F . 3d 99 3, 99 7 (11 th C i r. 19 95 ). A l l re as on abl e i nfer ence s an d cr ed ib il ity c h o ices m u st b e m ad e in fa v o r o f th e g o v er n m en t an d th e ju ry ’s v e r d ic t. U

ni ted Stat es v. M

asse y , 8 9 F .3 d 1 4 3 3 , 1 4 3 8 ( 1 1 th C ir . 1 9 9 6 ) . 1. C ha l l e nge s t o C ons pi r a c yC ount A f t e ra tw e l ve da y tr i a l , the j ury f ound the appe l l a nt s gui l ty of pa r t i c i pa t i ng i n a conspi ra cyt o m anufacture a nd po ss es s w i th the i nt entt o d i stri bu t e m ar i j uana, i n vi ol a t i on of

21 U . S . C . § 846. A ppe l l a nt s a r gue tha tthe r e w a s i ns uf f i c i e nt e v id e n c e o f

a c o n s p ir a c y a n d n o e v id e n c e th a t e a c h o f th e d e f e n d a n ts in te n d e d to pa r t i c i pa t e i n a c ons pi r a c y . “ T o s uppor ta c ons pi r a c y c onvi c t i on, the gove rnm e nt m us tpr ove ( 1) a n a gr e e m e ntbe tw e e n the de f e nda nta nd one orm or e pe r s ons , ( 2) the obj e c tof

w hi c h i s t o do e i the ra n unl a w f ul a c tora l a w f

ul a c tby unl a w f

ul m ea ns. ” U

n ite d S ta te s v . Sm ith , 289 F . 3d 696, 706 ( 11th C i r . 2002) ( c i t a t i on a nd in te rn a l q u o ta tio n s o m itte d ) . T o p rove part i ci pat i on i n a conspi ra cy , the go vernm entm usthave prov en b e y o n d a r e a s o n ab le d o u b t, e v e n if o n ly b y c ir c u m s ta n tia l e v id e n c e , th a t a c ons pi r a c y e xi s t e d a nd tha tthe de f e nda ntknow i ngl y a nd vol unt a r i l y j oi ne d the c o n s p ir a c y . U

ni ted Stat es v. Cha rles , 3 1 3 F .3 d 1 2 7 8 , 1 2 8 4 ( 1 1 th C ir . 2 0 0 2 ) , c e r t. deni ed , 539 U . S . 933 ( 2003) . T hus , a ti s s ue i s w he the rthe r e w a s s uf f i c i e nt e vi de nc e f

orthe j ury t o f

i nd tha tthe appe l l a nt s know i ngl y vol unt e e r e d t o j oi n theAlthough A lberto Artire s did not explic itly c halleng ethesu ff

ic iency of thee videnc ein 7 hisbrie f, hea dopte d b y

re ferenc ethere leva

nt p or tio ns of hisc o- a pp e lla nts ’ b ri e fspursua

nt to Rul e28 (i ) o f t

heF e deral Rule s o f A

pp e llateProc e dure . B e c a us etheoth er t

hre ea pp e lla nts challeng ed their c onspiracy convictions, we ha

ve also addresse d whether therewas suff

icient e v i d en c ef

o r th ej ur y t o c o nv i c tA lb ert o Arti re s o f c o n s p i ra c y. 15 c ons pi r a c y t o s us t a i n the i rc onvi c t i on a s t o C ount1. T o s a t i s f y thi s bur de n, the 7 gove rnm e ntne e d notpr ove tha tthe de f e nda nt s kne w a l l of

the de t a i l or p a r tic ip a te d in e v e ry a s p e c t o f th e c o n s p ir a c y . I

d. a t1284. R a the r , the gove rnm e nt m uston l y prove thatthe defendant s “ kn ew the es se nt i al nature of the conspi ra cy . ” I d. W he the rthe appe l l a nt s know i ngl y vol unt e e r e d t o j oi n the c ons pi r a c y m a y be pr ove n by “ di r e c torc i r c um s t a nt i a l e vi de nc e , i nc l udi ng i nf e r e nc e s f r om the cond uctof the al l eged part i ci pant s or f rom ci rc um st ant i al evi dence of a s chem e. ” U ni ted Stat es v. R odri

gu ez , 765 F . 2d 1546, 1551 ( 11th C i r . 1985) ( c i t a t i on a nd in te rn a l q u o ta tio n s o m itte d ) . “I n d e e d , b e c a u s e th e c r im e o f c o n s p ir a c y is p r e d o m in a n tly m e n ta l in c o m p o s itio n , it is f r e q u e n tly n e c e s s a ry to r e s o r t to ci rc um st ant i al evi dence t o p rove i t s e l em ent s. ” U n i ted S ta tes v. P i n ei ro , 389 F . 3d 1 3 5 9 , 1 3 6 9 ( 1 1 th C ir . 2 0 0 4 ) ( c ita tio n a n d in te rn a l q u o ta tio n s o m itte d ) . A ppe l l a nt s c ha l l e nge the tr i a l t e s t i m ony of c o- c ons pi r a t or s E s pi nos a a nd A l d ao as i n cred i b l e, u n tru stw o rth y, an d u n co rro b o rat ed . N ev erth el ess, unc orr obor a t e d t e s t i m ony of a n a c c om pl i c e m a y be e nough t o s uppor ta c onvi c t i on16

if th e te s tim o n y is n o t o n its f a c e in c r e d ib le o ro th e rw is e in s u b s ta n tia l. U ni ted Stat es v. B ut l er , 7 9 2 F .2 d 1 5 2 8 , 1 5 3 6 ( 1 1 th C ir . 1 9 8 6 ) . B e c a u s e c r e d ib ility det erm i nat i on s a re the excl usi ve prov i nce of the fa ctfi nd er , w e c anno tdi sr egar d the j ury’ s c re di bi l i ty det erm i nat i on un l es s i ti s “ un bel i evabl e on i t s f ac e. ” U ni ted S ta tes v. R i vera , 77 5 F . 2d 15 59 , 15 61 (11th C i r. 19 85 ). In addi t i on t o the t es t i m on y of E spi no saand A l dao, the go vernm entoffe re d th e te s tim o n y o f

o th e rw itn e s s e s , in c lu d in g f a c t w itn e s s e s a n d g o v e rn m e n t a g e n ts . T he go vernm ental so offe re d t el epho ne re cords a nd el ec tri ca l com pany subscr i ber r e c or ds . T hi s e vi de nc e c oupl e d w i th a n abunda nc e of phy s i c a l e vi de nc e , i nc l udi ng ph ot og raph s of m ar i

j uana pl ant s a nd cul t i vat i on paraph ernal i a, cl ea rl y i nd i ca t e a m a r iju a n a c u ltiv a tio n n e tw o r k . B a s e d o n th e e v id e n c e o f f e r e d a t tr ia l, a r e a s o n ab le j ury e a s i l y c oul d ha ve f ound a c ons pi r a c y t o m a nuf a c tur e m a r i

j ua na . “ O nc e the e x is te n c e o f

a c o n s p ir a c y is e s tab lis h e d , o n ly s lig h t e v id e n c e is n e c e s s a ry to conn ec ta part i cul ardefe nd antt o the conspi ra cy . ” U n ite d S ta te s v . C la v is , 956 F . 2d 10 79 , 10 85 (11th C i r. 19 92 ). B ec ause there w as suff i ci entevi dence c o n n e c tin g G a r c ia , V a ld e s , A lb e r to A r tir e s , a n d M e r c a d o to th e c o n s p ir a c y , th e ir c o n v ic tio n s a s to C o u n t 1 s h o u ld b e s u s ta in e d .

2 . C h a lle n g e s to S u b s ta n tiv e C o u n ts a . C ha l l e nge t o C onvi c t i on f orK now i ngl y M a nuf

a c tur i ng M ar i j uana w i th Int entt o D i stri bu t eAlberto Ar tires was also convicted of knowingly manufacturingmarijuana . He did not 8 raisea su ff ic iency of e videnc ec laim a s tothi s c onvic tio n o n a pp e al. H a d h eraise d s uch a c laim, we would have re

jected it. 17 V a ld e s a r g u e s th a t th e r e w a s in s u f f ic ie n t e v id e n c e f

o ra r e a s o n ab le ju ry to c onvi c thi m of

know i ngl y m a nuf

a c tur i ng m a r i

j ua na . S e c t i on 841( a ) ( 1) of T i t l e 21 r e q u ir e s d ir e c t o rc ir c u m s ta n tia l p r o o f o f th e in d iv id u a l’s k n o w le d g e a n d in te n t. U n ite d S ta te s v . P o o le , 8 7 8 F .2 d 1 3 8 9 , 1 3 9 1 ( 1 1 th C ir . 1 9 8 9 ) . V al des r es i ded i n a ho use l ocat ed at86 00 N . W . 30 th R oad, M i am i . S i nce O ct ob erof 19 99 , he w as the i nd i vi du al l i st ed as the subscr i ber on the el ec tri ca l r e c or ds f orboth the m a i n r e s i de nc e a nd a n e f f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nta dj a c e ntt o the m a i n r e s i de nc e . U pon s e a r c hi ng the e f f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nt , a ge nt s di s c ove r e d 117 m ar i j uana pl ant s a nd a f

ul l y- funct i on i ng grow ho use. A cc ordi ng l y, there w as s u f f ic ie n t e v id e n c e f

o ra r e a s o n ab le ju ry to f in d th a t V a ld e s k n o w in g ly m a nuf a c tur e d 117 m a r i

j ua na pl a nt s w i th the i nt e ntt o di s tr i but e the m a r i j ua na narc ot i c. 8 b. C ha l l e nge s t o C onvi c t i ons f orK now i ngl y M a i nt a i ni ng a P l a c e f orthe P urpos e of

M a nuf a c tur i ng M a r i

j ua na T o con vi ctun der 21 U . S . C . § 8 56 (a )( 1), the go vernm entm ustprov e “ that the de f e nda nt : ( 1) know i ngl y , ( 2) ope r a t e d orm a i nt a i ne d a pl a c e , ( 3) f orthe pu rpose of m anufacturi ng , di stri bu t i ng , or usi ng any c on trol l ed subst ance . ” P i n ei ro , 389 F . 3d a t1367 ( c i t a t i on a nd i nt e rna l quot a t i ons om i tt e d) . “ T hus , the18

offe nse r equi re s tw o m ent al el em ent s, kn ow l edge and p urpo se . ” I d. G a r c i a a nd V al des both chal l enge the suff i ci ency of the evi dence for thei r c on vi ct i on s und er§ 8 5 6 ( a ) ( 1 ) . G ar ci a r ent ed the ho m e l ocat ed at11 65 W es t53 rd S tre et , H i al ea h, F l ori da, fr om R ey nal do A rt i re s. A dj oi ni ng the ho m e w as an ef fi ci ency apartm entthat agent s l at erdi sc ov er ed had b ee n u se d as agrow ho use. A ft era tra i ned p ol i ce c a ni ne a l e r t e d the a ge nt s t o the s c e ntof c ontr ol l e d s ubs t a nc e s i n the apa r tm e nta nd a w hi t e va n l oc a t e d on the pr ope r ty , the a ge nt s obt a i ne d a s e a r c h w a rr a nt . U pon s e a r c hi ng the e f

f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nt , the a ge nt s di s c ove r e d m a r i j ua na c ul t i va t i on p arap h ern al i a, i n cl u d i n g i rri g at i o n h o ses, fi v e-g al l o n b u ck et s, seal ed w i n d o w s, p a tc h e s o f

M y la rf ilm o n th e w a lls , a n d m a r iju a n a r e s id u e . N e v e r th e le s s , G a r c ia chal l enges thi s c on vi ct i on by as se rt i ng thatthe go vernm entdi d n otoffe r e vi dence th a t p la c e d G a r c ia p h y s ic a lly in th e e f f ic ie n c y ap a r tm e n t. T w o f i nge rpr i nt s f

ound on the pa t c he s of

M y l a rf i l m i n the apa r tm e nt m at ched G ar ci a’ s f

i ng erpri nt s. M oreover, i n the w hi t e van, w hi ch w as re gi st er ed t o G arci a, th e ag en t s fo u n d m o re m ari j u an a cu l t i v at i o n m at eri al s. A d d i t i o n al l y, E s pi nos a t e s t i f

i e d tha tG a r c i a ha d a s s i s t e d i n c l i ppi ng m a r i j ua na pl a nt s dur i ng the conspi ra cy . F B I S peci al i stH ol l i ng eral so t es t i fi ed thatnu m er ou s pho ne ca l l s w er e m a de be tw e e n the phone num be r s of G a r c i a , M a r i o A r t i r e s , R e y na l do A r t i r e s , a ndAg ain, Alberto Artire s did not raisea su ff ic iency of thee videnc ec laim a s tohis 9 c o nv ic ti o nf

o r kn o w ing ly

maintaininga

p lac ef o r th ep ur p o s eo f ma nu f a c tu ringma rij u an a . We would have also rejec ted such a claim if he had raised that argument on appeal.

19 an o th er u n i n d i ct ed co -co n sp i rat o r w h o o p erat ed a g ro w h o u se i n C arro l l C i ty, F l or i da . F r om the t ot a l i ty of thi s e vi de nc e , i tw a s r e a s onabl e f orthe j ury t o f

i nd tha tG a r c i a know i ngl y m a i nt a i ne d the e f f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nta s a pl a c e f orgr ow i ng m ar i j uana. A ttr i a l , the gove rnm e ntof f e r e d e vi de nc e tha ta ge nt s di s c ove r e d 117 m a r i j ua na pl a nt s a nd a f

ul l y - f unc t i oni ng gr ow hous e i n a n e f f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nt a dj a c e ntt o V a l de s ’ s hom e l oc a t e d a t8600 N . W . 30th R oa d i n M i a m i . A l though V a ld e s c o n te n d s th a t th e g o v e rn m e n t o f f e r e d n o e v id e n c e p la c in g h im p h y s ic a lly in the e f f i c i e nc y apa r tm e nt , he w a s l i s t e d a s the s ubs c r i be ron the e l e c tr i c i ty r e c or ds for both the m ai n res i dence and the ef fi ci encyapartm ent . M oreover, the w i re s f r o m th e s u r v e illa n c e s y s te m m o n ito r in g th e ap a r tm e n t r a n in to th e m a in r e s id e n c e . T he r e f or e , c ons i de r i ng the e vi de nc e , ar e a s onabl e j ury c oul d a l s o f i nd V a l de s gui l ty of

know i ngl y m a i nt a i ni ng a pl a c e f orthe purpos e of

m a nuf a c tur i ng m a r i j ua na . A c c or di ngl y , G a r c i a ’ s a nd V a l de s ’ s c ha l l e nge s t o the i rc onvi c t i ons f or k n o w in g ly m a in ta in in g a p la c e f o rth e p u rp o s e o f

m a n u f a c tu r in g m a r iju a n a f

a il. 9 B . E vi dent i ary I ss ues V a ld e s c o n te n d s th a t th e d is tr ic t c o u rt e rr e d in a d m ittin g e v id e n c e th a t d id20

notpe r t a i n t o hi m , e ve n though the e vi de nc e di d s uppor tthe c ha r ge s br ought a ga i ns thi s c o- de f

e nda nt s . T he gove rnm e nta s s e r t s tha tV a l de s ’ s c ha l l e nge of the e vi de nt i a ry rul i ngs i s a c tua l l y a thi nl y - di s gui s e d s e ve r a nc e a r gum e nt . A tno poi nt du ri ng the evi dent i ary obj ec t i on s di d V al des m ov e the di stri ctcourtfor a s e v e r a n c e , a n d , th e r e f

o r e , th e is s u e o f

w h e th e rV a ld e s s h o u ld h a v e h a d a s e p a r a te tr ia l b e c a u s e o f

th is e v id e n c e is n o t b e f o r e u s . V al des s peci fi ca l l y a rgues thatthe evi dence s ho ul d h ave been excl ud ed as i rr e l e va nta nd hi ghl y pr e j udi c i a l . W hi l e V a l de s c l a i m s tha the w a s pr e j udi c e d by the a dm i s s i on of

e vi de nc e of

hi s c o- de f

e nda nt s ’ unl a w f

ul a c t s , w e ha ve l ong reco g n i zed th ata d efen d an td o es n o tsu ffer co m p el l i n g p rej u d i ce si m p l y b ecau se m u c h o f th e e v id e n c e a d m itte d a t tr ia l is ap p lic ab le o n ly to c o - d e f e n d a n ts . U

ni ted State s v . C as s ano , 13 2 F . 3d 64 6, 65 1 (11 th C i r. 19 98 ). T he general rul e, part i cul ar l y app l i cabl e i n con spi ra cyca se s, i s thatdefe nd ant s i nd i ct ed t og ether s h o u ld b e tr ie d to g e th e r . I d. A l tho ug h the ph ot og raph s, agency paperw ork, and records t o w hi ch V al des o b je c te d m a y n o t h a v e b e e n r e le v a n t to th e c h a r g e s b r o u g h t a g a in s t h im , th is e v id e n c e w a s c le a r ly r e le v a n t to th e c h a r g e s b r o u g h t a g a in s t h is c o - d e f e n d a n ts . F ur the r , the di s tr i c tc our te xpl i c i t l y i ns truc t e d the j ury tha te a c h c ha r ge a nd the e vi de nc e pe r t a i ni ng t o tha tc ha r ge ha d t o be c ons i de r e d s e pa r a t e l y . T he a c qui tt a l ofAt trial, Julio Artires moved the c ourt for a mistrial or, in the alternative, a severanc e, 10 and Ga rcia , Merc ado, Alber

to Artires, a

nd Suarez joined in the motion. 21 Jul i o A rt i re s on al l char ges a nd of G ar ci a a nd M er ca do on ce rt ai n charges i nd i ca t es thatthe j ury f

ol l ow ed the court ’ s i nstruct i on s a nd m ade i nd i vi du al i ze d d et erm i n at i o n s o f g u i l t . A cco rd i n g l y, w e h o l d th atth e d i stri ctco u rtd i d n o tab u se its d is c r e tio n in a d m ittin g th is e v id e n c e o v e rV a ld e s ’s o b je c tio n . C . M i stri al or, i n the A l t ernat i ve, S ever ance G a r c i a a r gue s tha tthe di s tr i c tc our te rr e d i n de ny i ng the appe l l a nt s ’ m ot i on for m i stri al or, al t ernat i vel y, se vera nce due t o p re j ud i ci al re m arks m ade by c ou nsel f orV a l de s dur i ng hi s c l os i ng a r gum e nt . W e r e vi e w m ot i ons f orm i s tr i a l a nd 10 m o tio n s f

o rs e v e r a n c e f

o rab u s e o f

d is c r e tio n . S ta r r e tt , 5 5 F .3 d a t 1 5 5 3 . G a r c ia c ont e nds tha the a nd hi s c o- de f e nda nt s w e r e pr e

j udi c e d by a r e m a r k m a de by c ouns e l f orV a l de s i n hi s c l os i ng a r gum e nt . I n hi s c l os i ng a r gum e nt , c ouns e l f or V a l de s s t a t e d: “ T he gove rnm e ntw a s r i ght . T hi s [ t e l e phone ] c ha r tt e l l s y ou a l l y ou need t o k no w . . . Itt el l s y ou everythi ng you n ee d t o k no w abou tthi s c on spi ra cy . ” T r i a l T r . a tp. 1431. N ot abl y , the di s tr i c tc our ti ns truc t e d the j ury be f or e c l os i ng ar gu m ent s began thatthe ar gu m ent s of c ou nsel w er e notevi dence, and l at er r e m in d e d th e ju ry th a t s u c h c o m m e n ts w e r e n o t e v id e n c e . F ora n a l l e ge d i m pr ope rc l os i ng a r gum e ntt o j us t i f y a ne w tr i a l , the a r gum e nt

“ m ustbe bo th i m prop erand p re j ud i ci al t o a subst ant i al ri gh tof the defendant . ”22

R odri gu ez , 76 5 F . 2d at15 59 . W hen a curat i ve i nstruct i on i s gi ven, thi s c ou rt re vers es on l y i f the evi dence “ i s s o h i gh l y pre j ud i ci al as t o b e i ncurabl e by the tri al court ’ s a dm on i t i on . ” U ni ted Stat es v. P er ez , 3 0 F .3 d 1 4 0 7 , 1 4 1 0 ( 1 1 th C ir . 1 9 9 4 ) .

“ [T ] o com pel se vera nce, the defens es of co-defe nd ant s m ustbe m ore than m e r e ly a n ta g o n is tic , th e y ‘m u s t b e a n ta g o n is tic to th e p o in t o f b e in g m u tu a lly excl usi ve. ’ ” U

ni ted Stat es v. Kno w l es , 6 6 F .3 d 1 1 4 6 , 1 1 5 9 ( 1 1 th C ir , 1 9 9 5 ) . A di s tr i c tc our ts houl d gr a nta m ot i on f ors e ve r a nc e onl y i f

( 1) the r e e xi s t s a “ s e r i ous r i s k tha ta j oi nttr i a l w oul d c om pr om i s e a s pe c i f i c tr i a l r i ghtof

one of the d e f e n d a n ts ,” o r( 2 ) a jo in t tr ia l w o u ld “p r e v e n t th e ju ry f r o m m a k in g a r e liab le j ud gm entabou tgu i l tor i nn ocence. ” Zaf i ro v. U ni ted Stat es , 506 U . S . 534, 539 (199 3). N ot abl y, a di stri ctcourt ’ s l i m i t i ng i nstruct i on s “ oft en w i l l suff i ce t o cure any r i sk of prej ud i ce . ” I d. A ti ss ue i s w hether the com m ent s m ade by V al des’ s a tt orney w er e p r e ju d ic ia l to th e p o in t o f

c o m p r o m is in g th e r ig h ts o f V a ld e s ’s c o - d e f

e n d a n ts . H a v in g r e v ie w e d th e r e c o r d , w e d o n o t f in d th a t th e c o m m e n ts w e r e s o h ig h ly pr e j udi c i a l tha tthe di s tr i c tc our t ’ s i ns truc t i ons t o the j ury r e ga r di ng c l os i ng a r gum e nt s di d notc ur e a ny pr e j udi c e . F ur the r , A l be r t o A r t i r e s , G a r c i a , a nd M e r c a do ha ve notde m ons tr a t e d tha tthe de f e ns e of V a l de s w a s a nt a goni s t i c t o the po i ntof bei ng m utual l y e xcl usi ve of thei r def ense s. C on si deri ng the subst ant i al23

e v id e n c e o f

a ll o f th e ap p e lla n ts ’ in v o lv e m e n t in th e c o n s p ir a c y , th e c o m m e n ts d id no tpreventthe j ury f

rom m aki ng a r el i abl e j ud gm entre gardi ng gu i l tor i nn ocence, a n d A lb e r to A r tir e s , G a r c ia , a n d M e r c a d o d id n o t s u f f e rc o m p e llin g p r e

ju d ic e . T h u s , w e a f

f irm th e d is tr ic t c o u r t’s d e n ia l o f th e m o tio n f

o rm is tr ia l o rs e v e r a n c e . D . J u ry I n s tru c tio n f o rA c c e s s o ry A f

te rth e F a c t G ar ci a propo se d thatthe j ury be i nstruct ed on ac ce ss ory a ft erthe fa ct because s uch an i nstruct i on w as al l egedl y s up po rt ed by the evi dence adduced at tr i a l . S pe c i f

i c a l l y , G a r c i a r e que s t e d the f ol l ow i ng j ury i ns truc t i on: A c c e s s o ry a f

te rth e F a c t W ho ever , kn ow i ng thatan offe nse a gai nstthe U ni t ed S t at es has b e e n c o m m itte d , r e c e iv e s , r e lie v e s , c o m f o r ts o ra s s is ts th e o f

f e n d e rin order t o h i nd eror preventhi s app re hensi on , tri al , or pu ni shm ent , i s a n a c c e s s o ry a f

te rth e f a c t. If you fi rs tfi nd thatthere i s are as on abl e dou btas t o w hether J o s e R o la n d o G a r c ia c o m m itte d th e s u b s ta n tiv e o f f e n s e s c h a r g e d in C ou nt s 10 and 11 bu tyou fi nd beyond a r ea sonabl e dou btthatM r. G a r c i a i s a n a c c e s s ory a f t e rthe f a c t , y ou m us tf

i nd hi m notgui l ty of C ount s 10 a nd 11. G a r c i a a r gue d tha tthe t e l e phone r e c or ds of f e r e d i nt o e vi de nc e by the gove rnm e nt s h o w e d th a t G a r c ia w a s f o llo w in g th e in s tru c tio n s o f R e y n a ld o A r tir e s to d is m a n tle the grow ho use. T here fore , G ar ci a a ss ert ed hi s i nv ol vem enti n the conspi ra cy c om m e nc e d a f

t e rthe c om pl e t i on of

the c ha r ge d c r i m e s . T he gove rnm e nt r e s p o n d e d th a tGa r c i a , i n f a c t , d i s m a n t l e d th e g r o w h o u s e t o c o n c e a l h i s o wn c r im e .24

I n de ny i ng G a r c i a ’ s r e que s tf ora n a c c e s s ory a f

t e rthe f a c ti ns truc t i on, the d is tr ic t c o u r t s ta te d th a t th e r e q u e s te d in s tru c tio n w o u ld c o n f u s e th e ju ry . A ddi t i ona l l y , the di s tr i c tc our tnot e d tha tthe i ns truc t i ons f orthe s ubs t a nt i ve of f e ns e s c orr e c t l y de s c r i be d the e l e m e nt s f orthos e c r i m e s , a nd G a r c i a c oul d a r gue tha te vi de nc e tha the di s m a nt l e d a gr ow hous e di d notne c e s s a r i l y pr ove tha the m a n u f a c tu r e d o rm a in ta in e d a p la c e f o rm a n u f a c tu r in g m a r iju a n a . W e r evi ew a di stri ctcourt ’ s r ej ec t i on of a propo se d j ury i nstruct i on for a n ab u s e o f d is c r e tio n . S ta r r e tt , 55 F . 3d at15 51 . T he di stri ctcourthas broad di sc re t i on i n form ul at i ng j ury i nstruct i on s a s l on g as tho se i nstruct i on s a re a c orre ct s ta te m e n t o f

th e la w . U

ni ted Stat es v. Schl ei , 1 2 2 F .3 d 9 4 4 , 9 6 8 ( 1 1 th C ir . 1 9 9 7 ) .

“ T he di s tr i c tc our t ’ s r e f us a l t o i nc orpor a t e a r e que s t e d j ury i ns truc t i on w i l l be re vers ed on l y i f the proffer ed i nstruct i on w as subst ant i al l y c orre ct , the re qu es t ed i ns truc t i on w a s nota ddr e s s e d i n c ha r ge s a c tua l l y gi ve n, a nd f a i l ur e t o gi ve the i ns truc t i on s e r i ous l y i m pa i r e d the de f e nda nt ’ s abi l i ty t o pr e s e nta n e f f e c t i ve defe nse. ” S ta r r e tt , 5 5 F .3 d a t 1 5 5 1 ( c ita tio n a n d in te rn a l q u o ta tio n s o m itte d ) . T h e g o v ern m en td o es n o td i sp u t e th atth e p ro ffered j u ry i n stru ct i o n w as a s ubs t a nt i a l l y c orr e c ts t a t e m e ntof the l a w . A l though the i ns truc t i ons gi ve n t o the j ury di d n oti ncl ud e the re qu es t ed i nstruct i on on ac ce ss ory a ft erthe fa ct , G ar ci a has notde m ons tr a t e d tha tthe di s tr i c tc our t ’ s f a i l ur e t o gi ve the r e que s t e d i ns truc t i on25

se ri ou sl y i m pai re d G ar ci a’ s abi l i ty t o p re se ntan ef fe ct i ve defense . A s the di stri ct c our tnot e d, the om i s s i on of the r e que s t e d i ns truc t i on di d notpr e ve ntG a r c i a f r om a r gui ng tha te vi de nc e tha the ha d di s m a nt l e d a gr ow hous e di d notpr ove tha the ha d m a nuf

a c tur e d m a r i

j ua na orm a i nt a i ne d a gr ow hous e . T he r e f or e , w e do not fi nd thatthe di stri ctcourt ’ s om i ss i on of thi s propo se d j ury i nstruct i on const i tut es a n ab u s e o f

its d is c r e tio n , a n d a f

f irm th e d is tr ic t c o u r t’s d e n ia l o f G a r c ia ’s r e q u e s t. E . V a ld e s ’s S a f

e ty - V a lv e R e q u e s t V a l de s appe a l s the di s tr i c tc our t ’ s de ni a l of hi s s a f e ty - va l ve r e que s tpur s ua nt t o U . S . S . G . § 5 C 1. 2. W e r evi ew the di stri ctcourt ’ s app l i ca t i on of the fe dera l sen t en ci n g g u i d el i n es t o u n co n tro v ert ed fact s de no vo . U n ite d S ta te s v . C la v ijo , 1 6 5 F .3 d 1 3 4 1 , 1 3 4 3 ( 1 1 th C ir . 1 9 9 9 ) . T he s a f e ty - va l ve pr ovi s i on out l i ne s f i ve c r i t e r i a tha t , i f

m e t , e nabl e the di s tr i c tc our tt o s e nt e nc e a de f e nda ntw i thoutr e ga r d t o the m a nda t ory m i ni m um s e n te n c e s in c e r ta in c a s e s . U .S .S .G . § 5 C 1 .2 ; U ni ted Stat es v. B row nl ee , 204 F . 3d 1302, 1304 ( 11th C i r . 2000) . I ti s undi s put e d tha tV a l de s m e e t s the f i r s tf our cr i t er i a of the sa fe ty- val ve prov i si on and thatthe i nform at i on he prov i ded w as truthful . T here fore , ati ss ue, i s w hether V al des has sa t i sf i ed the t em po ra l r e q u ir e m e n t o u tlin e d in U .S .S .G . § 5 C 1 .2 ( a ) ( 5 ) . S u b - s e c tio n ( a ) ( 5 ) p r o v id e s , in p a r t: “ not

late rthan the t i m e of

the s e nte nc i ng he ar i ng , th e d e f e n d a n t h a s tru th f

u lly26

prov i ded t o the G ov ernm ental l i nform at i on and evi dence the defendanthas c onc e rni ng the of

f e ns e orof

f e ns e s tha tw e r e pa r tof

the s a m e c our s e of

c onduc tor o f a c o m m o n s c h e m e o rp l a n . ” U. S . S . G. § 5 C 1 . 2 ( a ) ( 5 ) ( e m p h a s i s a d d e d ) . At s e n te n c in g , w h e n it b e c a m e ap p a r e n t to V a ld e s th a t h e h a d n o t c o m p le te ly de br i e f e d t o the s a t i s f

a c t i on of the gove rnm e nt , he m ove d f ora c ont i nua nc e of

the sen t en ci n g . T h e co u rtd ecl i n ed h i s req u estfo r a co n t i n u an ce, an d , u l t i m at el y, decl i ned t o g i ve hi m sa fe ty- val ve re l i ef du e t o h i s f

ai l ure t o com pl et el y debri ef p r io rto th e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f s e n te n c in g . T he gove rnm e nta r gue s tha tourl a ngua ge i n B row nl ee c r e a te d a r ig id j uri sdi ct i on al rul e thatprec l ud es a f i nd i ng thatV al des s at i sf i ed the t em po ra l r e qui r e m e nti n U . S . S . G . § 5C 1. 2( a ) ( 5) . I n B row nl ee , w e hel d thateven i f a defe nd antprevi ou sl y l i ed or w i thh el d i nform at i on fr om the go vernm ent , the di stri ct c o u r t is n o t la te rp r e c lu d e d f r o m g r a n tin g s a f

e ty - v a lv e r e lie f

. B row nl ee , 204 F . 3d at1 3 0 4 . W e st at ed th at“ l i es an d o m i ssi o n s d o n o t , as a m att er o f l aw , d i sq u al i fy a de f e nda ntf r om s a f e ty - va l ve r e l i e f

s o l ong a s the de f

e nda ntm a ke s a c om pl e t e a nd truthful proffe rnot

late rthan the c om m e nc e m e nt of the s e nte nc i ng he ar i ng . ” B row nl ee , 204 F . 3d a t1305 ( e m pha s i s a dde d) . T he gove rnm e ntr e a ds the e nd of thi s s t a t e m e nti n B row nl ee as u n eq u i v o cal l y req u i ri n g th atth e d efen d an t ’ s safetyv a lv e p r o f

f e rb e c o m p le te d p r io rto th e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f th e s e n te n c in g h e a r in g .27

W e d is a g r e e . S in c e B r o w n le e m a d e h is p r o f f e rp r io rto th e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f h is s e nt e nc i ng, the t e m por a l i s s ue w a s notbe f or e us i n tha tc a s e . T he r e f or e , the t e m por a l l a ngua ge i n the l a tt e rpa r tof tha ts t a t e m e ntw a s notpa r tof the hol di ng, a n d , a s d ic ta , d o e s n o t h a v e th e f o r c e o f la w . Se e McD onald’s C or p. v . R obe r t

s on , 147 F . 3d 1301, 1315 ( 11th C i r . 1998) ( C a rne s , J . , c onc urr i ng) ( “ [ D ] i c t a i n our o p in io n s is n o t b in d in g o n a n y o n e f o ra n y p u rp o s e .” ) . U nl i ke the f

a c tua l c i r c um s t a nc e s i n B row nl ee , i n th e in stan t cas e, V ald es ’s op po rtun i ty f

or sa fe ty- val ve re l i ef

hi ng es up on ou r i nt erpret at i on of the t em po ra l re qu i re m enti n U . S . S . G . § 5 C 1. 2(a) (5). S ub -s ec t i on (a )( 5) spec i fi ca l l y r equi re s that the profferbe m ade “ no tl at erthan the t i m e of s e nt e nc i ng. ” U . S . S . G . § 5C 1. 2( a ) ( 5) ( e m pha s i s a dde d) . N ot abl y , thi s t e m por a l r e qui r e m e ntdoe s notpr e c l ude the d is tr ic t c o u r t f

r o m e x e r c is in g its d is c r e tio n to c o n tin u e a s e n te n c e . See U ni ted State s v . M

adr i gal , 327 F . 3d 738, 739 ( 8th C i r . 2003) . I f the di s tr i c tc our tf

i nds tha tthe f a c tua l c i r c um s t a nc e s w a rr a nta c ont i nua nc e , the n i tm a y c ont i nue the se nt enci ng hear i ng t o g i ve the defendantm ore t i m e t o ful l y debri ef and g i ve a f o r m a l s a f

e ty - v a lv e s ta te m e n t. H e r e , th e d is tr ic t c o u r t in te rp r e te d o u rla n g u a g e in B row nl ee a s trum pi ng i t s di s c r e t i on t o c ont i nue the s e nt e nc i ng he a r i ng t o a l l ow V a ld e s to m o r e f

u lly d e b r ie f

.

“ O f c our s e , i n the m os tty pi c a l c a s e s the qua l i f i c a t i on f orthe s a f e ty va l ve28

s h o u ld c o m e b e f

o r e th e c o m m e n c e m e n t o f th e s e n te n c in g h e a r in g in o r d e rto pr e ve ntthe de f

e nda ntf r om m i s l e a di ng the gove rnm e ntorm a ni pul a t i ng the se nt ence . ” M

adr i gal , 3 2 7 F .3 d at 7 4 5 . N ev er th eles s, w e b eliev e th at V ald es ’s ci rc um st ance s w arra nt ed a c on t i nu ance . F i rs t , V al des, a f i rs tt i m e drug o ff

ender, do es no tspea k E ng l i sh, and al l tra nsl at i on atthe i ni t i al debri ef i ng w as perf

orm ed b y a n a g e n t r a th e rth a n a n in d e p e n d e n t tr a n s la to r . S e c o n d , h is c o u n s e l e rr o n e o u s ly be l i e ve d tha tV a l de s ha d a l r e a dy m a de a s uf f i c i e nts t a t e m e ntt o qua l i f y f orthe sa fe ty- val ve and thathe had b ee n ass ured by the go vernm entagent s thatthey w o u l d fo l l o w -u p w i th ad d i t i o n al d eb ri efi n g s. T h i rd , an d p erh ap s m o sti m p o rt an t l y, the r e i s no e vi de nc e tha tV a l de s ’ s f a i l ur e t o f

ul l y de br i e f

pr i ort o the com m ence m entof the se nt enci ng hear i ng w as an att em ptt o m i sl ea d, m ani pu l at e, s t a l l orde l a y . L i ke M a dr i ga l , V a l de s ’ s f a i l ur e t o f

ul l y di s c l os e pr i ort o the c om m e nc e m e ntof

the s e nt e nc i ng he a r i ng w a s due t o a m i s unde r s t a ndi ng a nd not i n b l at antdi sr egar d for the re qu i re m ent s of U . S . S . G . § 5 C 1. 2. T here fore , c ons i de r i ng the f

a c t s of thi s c a s e , the di s tr i c tc our tha d good c a us e t o c ont i nue V a ld e s ’s s e n te n c in g . W e hol d thata di stri ctcourtm aycont i nu e ase nt enci ng hear i ng t o g i ve a de f e nda nta n oppor tuni ty t o de br i e f f orthe purpos e of

c ons i de r i ng s a f

e ty - va l ve r e lie f , if th e d is tr ic t c o u r t d e te r m in e s th a t th e f a c tu a l c ir c u m s ta n c e s w a rr a n t a29

c ont i nua nc e . I n l i ghtof thi s c onc l us i on, w e r e m a nd t o the di s tr i c tc our tf or c o n s id e r a tio n o f

V a ld e s ’s s a f

e ty - v a lv e r e q u e s t. F . A m ou ntof P l ant s A ttri bu t abl e t o A l bert o A rt i re s A l bert o A rt i re s app ea l s the di stri ctcourt ’ s f ac tual det erm i nat i on at se nt enci ng thathe w as re spon si bl e f or 31 2 m ar i

j uana pl ant s w hen the j ury s pe c i f i c a l l y f ound i n a s pe c i a l i nt e rr oga t oryve r di c ttha the w a s notr e s pons i bl e f or m or e tha n 100 m a r i

j ua na pl a nt s . T he di s tr i c tc our t ’ s f a c tua l f i ndi ng w a s ba s e d on ev i d en ce p resen t ed attri al an d p ro v en t o th e co u rt ’ s sat i sfact i o n b y a pr e ponde r a nc e of

the e vi de nc e a tthe s e nt e nc i ng. A lb e r to A r tir e s h a s a d e q u a te ly p r e s e r v e d th is c la im . H e c le a r ly r a is e d th is Appr e ndi -type c on st i tut i on al cl ai m i n h i s obj ec t i on s t o the P re -s ent ence I n v e s tig a tio n R e p o r t a n d a t s e n te n c in g . H e th e n r a is e d th is c o n s titu tio n a l c la im agai n i n h i s i ni t i al bri ef , and, i n h i s s up pl em ent al bri ef , he spec i fi ca l l y c hal l enged thi s f ac tual fi nd i ng by the di stri ctcourti n l i gh tof B lake l y v . W as hi ngton , ___U . S.

___, 124 S . C t . 2531, 159 L . E d. 2d 403 ( 2004) . A tno poi ntha s the gove rnm e nt a r g u e d th a t e ith e rp la in e rr o ro rh a r m le s s e rr o rr e v ie w s h o u ld ap p ly to th is c la im s . In fa ct, at o ra l arg u m en t, th e g o v er n m en t co n ce d ed th at if th e S u p re m e C o u rt’s de c i s i on i n B o o ker w as co n si st en tw i th i t s B la ke ly d ec isio n , th en A rtires ’s Appr e ndi - ty p e c o n s titu tio n a l a r g u m e n ts a r e v a lid .30

I n U ni ted Stat es v. B oo ke r , ___ U . S . ___, 125 S . C t . 738, ___ L . E d. 2d ___ ( 2005) , the S upr e m e C our the l d tha tthe S i xth A m e ndm e nta s c ons true d i n B la ke ly v . W as hi ngton , ___ U . S . ___, 124 S . C t . 2531, 159 L . E d. 2d 403 ( 2004) , ap p lie s to the fe dera l se nt enci ng gu i del i nes, and, consequent l y, hel d thatthe fe dera l s e nt e nc i ng gui de l i ne s a r e e f f e c t i ve l y a dvi s ory . T hi s c ons t i tut i ona l hol di ng “ m e a ns th ati ti s n o l o n g er p o ssi b l e t o m ai n t ai n th e j u d i ci al fact fi n d i n g th atC o n g ress tho ug htw ou l d u nd erpi n the m andat ory G ui del i nes s ys t em thati tsoug htt o cre at e. ” B oo ke r , 125 S . C t . a t757 ( B r e y e r , J . ) . A s i n B oo ke r , th e d i stri ctco u rti n th i s case

“ appl i e d the G ui de l i ne s a s w r i tt e n a nd i m pos e d a s e nt e nc e hi ghe rtha n the m axi m um autho ri ze d sol el y by the j ury’ s ver di ct . ” B oo ke r , 125 S . C t . a t769 (B re ye r, J. ). T here fore , l i ke B oo ker’ s s ent ence , A l bert o A rt i re s’ se nt ence vi ol at es the S i xth A m e ndm e nt . C ons i s t e ntw i th the S upr e m e C our t ’ s r e m a nd i n B oo ke r , we v a c a te th e ju d g m e n t o f

A lb e r to A r tir e s a n d r e m a n d f o rr e s e n te n c in g . Se e , e .g ., U n i ted S ta tes v. R eese , 397 F . 3d 1337, 1338 ( 11th C i r . 2005) ( r e m a ndi ng a pres erved error i n l i gh tof B oo ke r ) . I V. C ON C L US I ON W e a f f i r m the di s tr i c tc our t ’ s j udgm e nti n a l l r e s pe c t s e xc e ptthe de ni a l of V a ld e s ’s s a f

e ty - v a lv e r e q u e s t a n d th e c a lc u la tio n o f A lb e r to A r tir e s ’s s e n te n c e . T he r e f or e , w e va c a t e the j udgm e nt s of V a l de s a nd A l be r t o A r t i r e s a nd r e m a nd f or31

r e s e nt e nc i ng c ons i s t e ntw i th thi s opi ni on.

A F F I R M E D in p a r t, a n d V A C A T E D a n d R E M A N D E D in p a r t.