UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FIFTH CIRCUIT

____________

No. 93-8730

____________

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

DIANA GONZALES BUCHANAN, FEDELL ANDERSON, VERNON

BONNER, and JOHN BUCHANAN,

Defendants-Appellants.

__________________________________________________

Appeal from the United States District Court

For the Western District of Texas

__________________________________________________

November 29, 1995

Before REYNALDO G. GARZA, BARKSDALE, and EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit

Judges.

EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judge:

Diana Gonzales Buchanan, John Buchanan, Vernon Bonner, and

Fedell Anderson appeal their convictions for various crimes arising

out of their involvement in a crack cocaine conspiracy. We affirm

the convictions of all the co-defendants. We affirm the sentences

of Diana Gonzales Buchanan, Vernon Bonner, and Fedell Anderson. We

vacate John Buchanan's sentence on counts three and four, and

remand for resentencing on whichever charge the government chooses

to proceed with. We affirm John Buchanan's sentence in all other

respects.Lawrence Crane, a juvenile, was not a party to this proceeding.

-2- I

Diana and John Buchanan distributed crack cocaine out of their

home in Houston. An informant, Ernest "Easy" McDay, began working

with the Austin Police Department ("APD") to build a case against

the Buchanans. McDay had served as a middleman on some of the

Buchanans' Austin drug sales, and was facing drug charges of his

own when he agreed to help APD. John Buchanan contacted McDay to

broker a drug transaction with another party in Austin. Pursuant

to this transaction, John Buchanan, Fedell A n derson, Lawrence

Crane, 1 and Vernon Bonner drove to Austin in Anderson's 1985

Cadillac. The group drove to McDay's apartment, and Bonner and

Crane conducted an armed sweep of the premises to make sure that no

one else was present. John Buchanan and Anderson then entered, and

McDay proceeded to set up the sale.

After making the sale, the group went to a night club. John

Buchanan, Anderson, and McDay went inside, where McDay phoned his

APD contact and reported what had transpired. McDay also informed

his APD contact that the group was armed, possibly with automatic

weapons, and that the car contained a large amount of crack

cocaine. APD officers proceeded to the night club and began

surveillance on Anderson's car. The officers testified that Crane

never strayed more than a few feet from the car, standing next to

or sitting inside the car at all times. Bonner apparently never

exited the vehicle, but remained seated in the backseat of the car.This arrest warrant was unrelated to John Buchanan's arrest in

Austin. The warrant arose instead from allegations that Diana Buchanan had shot

another woman at a taco stand.

-3- The officers believed that the two men were guarding the car.

About forty-five minutes after the survei llance began, John

Buchanan and Anderson exit ed the club, got back in the car, and

proceeded up the street. Not far from the night club, a marked

police car stopped the Cadillac. The police removed the men from

the car and frisked each one, finding a loaded .380 caliber pistol

in Cra ne's belt. In securing the car, the police also found a

loaded, fully automatic 9 mm. weapon and a loaded, semi-automatic

9 mm. pistol with an extra magazine. The police arrested the four

men and took the vehicle to the station, where the officers

obtaine d a warrant to search the vehicle. The police found two

baggies containing approximately 280 g rams of crack cocaine

"cookies" inside the left-rear fender well, under a plastic vent

where the door closes.

About a week later, the Houston Police Department ("HPD") went

to the Buchanans' home to execute an arrest warrant for Diana

Buchanan on a state charge of "Combative Aggravated Assault." 2 The

officers were not oblivious to the Buchanans' drug activities. The

officers present were all me mbers of a joint HPD and Bureau of

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms ("ATF") anti-gang task force, which

had been investigating the Buchanans for several months. An

informant had indicated that the Buchanans were supplying Houston

gangs with large quantities of crack cocaine, and officers hadSee Maryland v. Buie

, 494 U.S. 325, 327, 110 S. Ct. 1093, 1094, 108

L. Ed. 2d 276 (1990) (defin ing a "protective sweep" as "a quick and limited

search of the premises, incident to an arrest and conducted to protect the safety

of police officers or others").

-4- attempted to negotiate an agreement to purchase six ounces of crack

cocaine from the Buchanans. In addition, APD had contacted HPD

concerning John Buchanan's arrest in Austin, and had indicated to

HPD that drugs might be found at the Buchanan home.

Upon arriving at the Buchanan residence, the police knocked,

identified themselves, and announced to Diana Buchanan t hat they

were there to arrest her. While still outside the house, the

officers heard commotion from within and, fearing the destruction

of evidence, forcibly entered the residence. The officers secured

Diana Buchanan, and immediately conducted a "protective sweep" 3 of

the premises to make sure no other persons w ere present. During

this sweep, the officers discovered, in plain view, two loaded

assault-style rifles. Further, upon entering the kitchen, one of

the officers observed several large baggies containing white powder

residue on the kitchen counter. The officer also observed white

powder and small "rock" chunks on the kitchen counter, floor, and

in the sink. The officers believed these substances to be cocaine.

A "field test" confirmed that the substance in the baggies was

cocaine. After securing the residence, the officers obtained a

search warra nt. In the ensuing search, officers discovered

paraphernalia used to manufacture crack cocaine and approximately

200 grams of crack and powder cocaine jammed into the toilet. The-5-

officers also seized a 1988 Jaguar and a 1985 Mercedes-Benz.

T he district court charged the four defendants as foll ows:

John Buchanan, Bonner, and Anderson with possession with intent to

distribute cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and

18 U.S.C. § 2 (count one); John Buchanan, Bonner, Anderson, and

Diana Buchanan with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute

cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846 (count

two), and with aiding and abetting each other in using or carrying

a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense, in violation of 18

U.S.C. § 924(c) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (count three); and John Buchanan

with us ing and carrying a machine gun during a drug-trafficking

offense, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924( c) (count four),

possessing a machine gun, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o) (count

five), and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, in

violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (count six). All four defendants

were tried before a jury. The jury convicted John Buchanan on all

six counts. Anderson and Bonner were found guilty on counts one,

two, and three. Diana Buchanan was found guilty on count two.

II

A

Diana Buchanan contends that the district court erred in

denying her motion to suppress evidence seized from her residence

following her arrest. She argues that field testing the white

powder residue contained in several clear plastic baggies, found on

the kitchen counter of her home, constituted an impermissible-6-

"search" in violation of her Fourth Amendment ri ghts. Diana

Buchanan maintains that all subsequently seized evidence of drug

trafficking should have been excluded as the fruits of this

unconstitutional search.

In reviewing a district court's denial of a motion to suppress

evidence, we review factual find ings for clear error and

conclu sions of law d e novo

. U nited States v. Cardenas

, 9 F.3d

1139, 1147 (5th Cir. 1993), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 114 S. Ct.

2150, 128 L. Ed. 2d 876 (1994). We must view the evidence in the

light most favorable to the party who prevailed below. I d . at

1147; United States v. Ramirez

, 963 F.2d 693, 705 (5th Cir.), cert.

denied , ___ U.S. ___, 113 S. Ct. 388, 121 L. Ed. 2d 296 (1992).

The exclusionary rule mandates that, "evidence obtai ned in

violation of the Fourth Amendment cannot be used in a criminal

proceeding against the victim of [an] illegal search and seizure."

United States v. Calandra , 414 U.S. 343, 347, 94 S. Ct. 613, 619,

38 L. Ed. 2d 561 (1974). Under the Fourth Amendment, "searches

conducted outside the judicial process, without prior approval by

judge or magistrate are per se unreasonable . . . subject only to

a few specifically established and well-delineated exceptions."

Katz v. United States

, 389 U.S. 347, 357, 88 S. Ct. 507, 514, 19 L.

Ed. 2d 576 (1967) (footnotes omitted). The "plain view" doctrine

is one of the "sp ecifically established and well-delineated

exceptions" that may justify a warrantless seiz ure. A rizona v.

Hicks , 480 U.S. 321, 326, 107 S. Ct. 1149, 1153, 94 L. Ed. 2d 347-7-

(198 7) ("It is well established that under certain circumstances

the police may seize evidence in plain view without a warrant.")

(citation and internal quotation marks omitted). The "plain view"

doctrine may also validate a warrantless search of an item, so long

as the item could lawfully have been seized. See Hicks

, 480 U.S. at

326, 107 S. Ct. at 1153 ("It would be absurd to say that an object

could lawfully be seized and taken from the premises, but could not

be moved for closer examination.") Thus, to determine if the field

test was a permissible warrantless search, we must determine if the

officers could have lawfully seized the white po wder residue

contained in the plastic baggies.

The "plain view" doctrine will justify a warrantless seizure

if: (1) the officers lawfully entered the area where the items

were located; (2) the items were in plain view; (3) the

incriminating nature of the items was "immediately apparent"; and

(4) the officers had a lawful right of access to the items. H orton

v. California

, 496 U.S. 128, 136-37, 110 S. Ct. 2301, 2308, 110 L.

Ed. 2d 112 (1990). Diana Buchanan does not challenge the validity

of the arres t warrant, the officers' entry into her home, or the

protective sweep of her house. Therefore, the applicability of the

plain vi ew exception in this case turns on whether the

incriminating nature of the white powder residue was "immediately

apparent" to the officers. H orton

, 496 U.S. at 136-37, 110 S. Ct.

at 2308.

The incriminating nature of an item is "immediately apparent"-8-

if the officers have "probable cause" to believe that the item is

either evidence of a crime or contraband. H icks

, 480 U.S. at 326-

27, 107 S. Ct. at 1153. Probable cause does not require certainty.

See Texas v. Brown

, 460 U.S. 730, 742, 103 S. Ct. 1535, 1543, 75 L.

Ed. 2d 502 (1983) (holding that probable cause "does not demand any

showing that such a belief be correct or more likely true than

false"). In reviewing probable cause determinations, we must

consider the totality of the circumstances )) including the officers'

training and experience as well as their knowledge of the situation

at hand. S ee United States v. Buchner

, 7 F.3d 1149, 1154 (5th Cir.

1993) (holding that a probable cause determination "must be viewed

in light of the observations, knowledge, and training of the law

enforcement officers involved in the warrantless sea rch"), c ert.

denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 11 4 S. Ct. 1331, 127 L. Ed. 2d 378 (1994);

United States v. Fooladi

, 703 F.2d 180, 183 (5th Cir. 1983)

(holding that a probable cause determination should consider "the

facts and circumstances known to the officer, and of which he has

reasonably trustworthy information").

The officers who execute d the arrest warrant for Diana

Buch anan were experienced members of an HPD-ATF anti-gang task

force. They were aware of purported drug activity at the Buchanan

residence, and had been investigatin g the Buchanans for several

months. The officers were also aware that Diana Buchanan's husband

had just been arrested in Austin on drug and gun charges. When the

police officers knocked on the door and announced their presence,According to the record, the officer who first entered the kitchen

during the protective sweep stated that it was "obvious" that cocaine residue and

small chunks of rock cocaine were "all over the kitchen."

We emphasize that the fact that the officers chose to field test the

substance does not indicate that t h ey lacked probable cause to believe the

re s idue was contraband. Testing for certainty's sake will not, by itself,

undermine an otherwise valid probable cause determination. C f

. United States v. Prandy-Binett

, 995 F.2d 1069, 1073 (D.C. Cir. 1993) ("If [the defendant's]

perfume bag held clear ziplock bags containing white powder, the detectives also

would not have been sure w hether he possessed cocaine or heroin (or some

innocuous substance). Yet that cannot be a reason for finding no probable

cause."), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 114 S. Ct. 1196, 127 L. Ed. 2d 545 (1994).

Th is opinion should not be read to hold that the mere presence of

white powder residue in a plastic bag, by itself, will always give rise to

probable cause. We hold only that under the circumstances of the present case,

the incriminating nature of t he evidence found in plain view was "immediately

-9- they heard commotion within the house. Upon entry, the officers

conducted a protective sweep during which they observed two

assault-style rifles, whit e powder and small rock crumbs on the

kitchen counter, floor, and sink, and several cl ear plastic bags

containing a white powder residue. 4 Based upon the totality of

these circumstances, we hold that the officers had probable cause

to believe that the white powder residue contained in the plastic

baggies was contraband or evidence of a cri me. 5 Accordingly, the

officers could have lawfully seized the items. S ee Brown

, 460 U.S.

at 740-43, 103 S. Ct. at 1542-43 (upholding plain view seizure of

"opaque , green party balloon" where presence of additional drug

paraphernalia along with officer's knowledge that balloons were

commonly used to transport narcotics amounted to probable cause).

Since the plain view doctrine would have supported a

warrantless seizure of the evidence, a warrantless search of the

items was also permissible. 6 H icks

, 480 U.S. at 326, 107 S. Ct. atapparent." This factor distinguishes this case from the situation in H icks

. In

Hicks , the officer's search of the stereo was improper because, based upon his

knowledge and experience, he lacked probable cause to suspect that the equipment

was stolen or evidence of a crime. S ee Hicks

, 480 U.S. at 328, 107 S. Ct. at

1154 (holding that "probable cau s e to believe the equipment was stolen was required" to justify officer's search of stereo found in plain view).

John Buchanan also asserts that the district court erred in admitting

the evidence discovered subsequent to the field test at the Buchanan residence.

Having held that the evidence was lawfully admitted, we need not address this

argument.

-10- 1153. Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not err in

admitting the evidence seized from the Buchanan residence

subsequent to the field test. 7

B

Diana Buchanan next argues that the district court erred when

it admitted into evidence two taped conversations between her and

an HPD officer. Diana Buchanan maintains that the recording was

never properly authenticated. A district court has broad

discretion in determining whether or not a sound recording should

be admitted. United States v. Biggins

, 551 F.2d 64, 66 (5th Cir.

1977). We will find error only where the district court abuses

this discretion. U nited States v. Eakes

, 783 F.2d 499, 506-07 (5th

Cir.), cert. denied

, 477 U.S. 906, 106 S. Ct. 3277, 91 L. Ed. 2d

567 (1986).

The government has the burden of demonstrating that the

recording, as played, "is an accurate reproduction of relevant

sounds previously audited by a witness." B iggins

, 551 F.2d at 66.

Generally, this burden requires the government to demonstrate (1)

the operator's competency, (2) the fidelity of t he recording-11-

equipment, (3) the absence of material alterations, and (4) the

identification of relevant sounds or voices. I d .; United States v.

Stone

, 960 F.2d 426, 436 (5th Cir. 1992). Although compliance with

the Biggins requirements is the "preferred method" of proceeding,

strict compliance is not required. See Biggins , 551 F.2d at 67

("[The district court's] discretion is not to be sacrificed to a

formalisti c adherence to the standard we establish."). The

district court may admit the recording in the absence of these

requirements if, upon independent examination, the district court

is convinced that "the recording accurately reproduces the auditory

experience." Stone , 960 F.2d at 436 (citation omitted).

The recording in question includes two conversations in which

an undercover off i cer discusses purchasing cocaine with Diana

Buchanan. At the conclusion of each conversation, another voice

indicate s the date and time of the conversations. Testimony

est ablished that both officers present during the recording (an

undercover officer who attempted to negotiate the drug purchase and

the officer who indicated the time and date of the conversations)

could hear the conversations as they occurred. The officer who

gave the time and date of the conversations testified that he had

reviewed the tape being offered and could confirm that the tape was

indeed the one that he and the under cover officer had made, and

that the recording accurately represented the conversations as they

occurred. Further, this officer testified that after speaking with

Diana Buchanan during her arrest, he was "convinced" that the voice-12-

on the tape was Diana Buchanan's. Although the district court did

not elicit testimony as to all the Biggins elements, the officer

sponsoring the recording g ave adequate testimony to support the

recording's reliability. All the voices were identified, and there

was no intimation that the tape had b een altered. Further, the

testifyi ng officer explained how the recording was made, and

testified as to its accuracy. Accordingly, we cannot say that the

district court abused its discretion in admitting the tape as an

accurate reproduction of relevant conversations. S ee United States

v. Lance

, 85 3 F.2d 1177, 1181-82 (5th Cir. 1988) (holding

recordings properly authenticated where "law enforcement agents who

participated in the taped conversations testified that, according

to their memories, the audio and video tapes contained accurate

recordings of the conversations that occurred").

C

Diana Buchanan next argue s that the district court erred in

incr easing her offense level for "possession of a firearm" where

the jury acquitted her on the charge of aiding and a betting in

using or carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense

(count three). S ee U.S.S.G., § 2D1.1(b)(1) ("If a dangerous weapon

(including a firearm) was possessed, increase by 2 levels."). The

district court's decision to apply § 2D1.1(b)(1) "is essentially a

factual determination reviewable under the clearly erroneous

standard." U

nited States v. Rodriguez

, 62 F.3d 723, 724 (5th Cir.

1995).We distinguish this case from United States v. Pofahl

, 990 F.2d 1456

(5th Cir.), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 114 S. Ct. 266, 126 L. Ed. 2d 218 (1993).

In Pofahl

, we held that where there is a factual dispute as to whether a

defendant "possessed" a gun within the meaning of § 2D1.1(b)(1), F ED

. R. C RIM

. P.

32(c)(3)(D) requires the district court to either make a specific finding or

indicate that the firearm will not be used to enhance the defendant's sentence.

Pofahl

, 990 F.2d at 1486. Here, however, Diana Buchanan's only objection to the

findings in the presentence report was based on her acquittal of the charge of

using or carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense, in violation of

18 U.S.C. § 924(c). The fact that the jury acquitted Diana Buchanan on this

charge does not, without more, amount to a factual dispute with the presentence

report that Diana Buchanan possessed a firearm within the meaning of

§ 2D1.1(b)(1). The district court adopted the findings in the presentence

report. Without a specific factual controversy, further factual findings under

F ED

. R. C RIM

. P. 32(c)(3)(D) are not required. C ompare United States v. Mir

, 919

F.2d 940, 943 (5th Cir . 1990) (holding that where defendant did not offer any

rebuttal evidence to refute presentence report, "district court . . . was free

to adopt facts in PSI without further inquiry") w ith Pofahl

, 990 F.2d at 1486

-13- The fact that the jury found Diana Buchanan not guilty of

using or carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense, does

not bar the district court from increasing Diana Buchanan's offense

level under § 2D1.1(b)(1). While a conviction requires proof

beyond a reasonable doubt, a district court may sentence a

defendant within the Sentencing Guidelines on any relevant evidence

that "has sufficient indicia of reliability to support its probable

accuracy." U.S.S.G. § 6A1.3; U nited States v. Edwards

, 65 F.3d

430, 432 (5th Cir. 1995). The police found two assault-style

weapons at Diana Buchanan's house. The police testified that Diana

Buchanan made statements indicating that she knew how to use these

weapons, and that she had contemplated firing them at police.

Police testimony also indicated that Diana Bucha nan had used

firearms in the past, and reasonably knew that her co-conspirators

were carrying weapons in Austin. Judging from the record, the

district court's § 2D1.1(b)(1) two-level enhancement for possession

of a fi rearm was not clearly erroneous. 8 In sentencing, "a(remanding for specific findings under F ED

. R. C RIM

. P. 32(c)(3)(D) where

defendant objected to § 2D1.1(b)(1) enhancement for possession of a firearm that

he claimed "belonged to his roommate," and district court failed to make any

findings on this point).

Diana Buchanan also argues that the district court abused its

discretion in sentencing her to the ma ximum possible sentence under the

guidelines "in light of the unusual and tragic circumstances of Mrs. Buchanan's

background," or, in the alternative, that the district court should have departed

from the guidelines in sentencing her. There is no evidence that the district

court failed to take into account Diana Buchanan's "tragic circumstances." The

presentence report develops these factors, and the district court recognized that

Diana Buchanan had travelled a "rocky road." Nevertheless, the district court

felt that the maximum sentence was the appropriate punishment. Judging from the

record, we canno t say the district court abused its discretion by giving the

maximum sentence. So long as the district court acts within the guidelines, a

harsh sentence, in and of itself, does not constitute error. S ee United States

v. Ponce

, 917 F.2d 84 1, 842 (5th Cir. 1990) ("[W]e will uphold the district

court's sent ence so long as it results from a correct application of the

guidelines to factual findings which are not clearly erroneous.") (citation and

internal quotations omitted), cert. denied , 499 U.S. 940, 111 S. Ct. 1398, 113

L. Ed. 2d 453 (1991). To the extent that Diana Buchanan is attempting to contest

the district court's implicit decision not to depart from the guidelines, we have

previously held that the district court's decision not to depart is unreviewable

on appeal. U

nited States v. Leonard

, 61 F.3d 1181, 1185 (5th Cir. 1995). Diana

Buchanan, along with John Buchanan, also urges that the vast disparity between

the sentencing ranges for crack and powder cocaine, mandated by the guidelines,

violates equal protection principles contained in the Fifth Amendment. We have

repeatedly rejected this argument and do so again. S ee United States v. Cooks

, 52 F.3d 101, 105 (5th Cir. 1995) (holding that the guidelines' stiffer penalties

for cocaine base do not violate equal protection); United States v. Cherry , 50

F.3d 338, 344 (5th Cir. 1995) ("The 100 to one ratio is extreme, but it is not

the province of this Court to second-guess Congress's chosen penalty. That is

a discretionary legislative judgment for Congress and the Sentencing Commission

to make."); United States v. Watson

, 953 F.2d 895, 897-98 (5th Cir.) (holding

that " no unconstitutional infirmity exists in the Sentencing Guidelines'

treatment of crack vis-a-vis powder cocaine"), cert. denied , 504 U.S. 928, 112

S. Ct. 1989, 118 L. Ed. 2d 586 (1992).

-14- district court has wide discretion in determining which evidence to

consider and which testimony to credit." E dwards

, 65 F.3d at 432.

Accordingly, we hold that the record in this case provides ample

evidence to support a § 2D1.1(b)(1) enhancement of Diana Buchanan's

offense level. S ee, e.g.

, Rodriguez

, 62 F.3d at 724-25 (holding

t hat so long as weapon was accessible to defendant, fact that it

was never brandished and was unloaded does not negate a finding of

possession under § 2D1.1(b)(1)). 9-15- III

A

John Buchanan argues that th e district court improperly

enhanced his sentence for being the "organizer or leader" of the

drug-trafficking organization. S ee U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 ("If the

defendant was an organizer or leader of a criminal activity that

involv ed five or more participants or was otherwise extensive,

increase by 4 levels."). John Buchanan argues that no organization

existed, and that if one did exist, it did not include five or more

participants. Normally, we review a district court's finding

concerning a defendant's role in the offense for clear error.

United States v. Bethley

, 973 F.2d 396, 401 (5th Cir. 1992), cert.

denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 113 S. Ct. 1323, 122 L. Ed. 2d 709 (1993).

In this case, however, John Buchanan failed to object to the

district court's findings, and thus we review for plain error.

United States v. Lopez , 923 F.2d 47, 49 (5th Cir.), cert. denied

,

500 U.S. 924, 111 S. Ct. 2032, 114 L. Ed . 2d 117 (1991). Plain

errors are errors which are both obvious and which affect the

defendant's substantial rights. U nited States v. Calverley

, 37

F.3d 160, 163-64 (5th Cir. 1994) ( en banc ), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 115 S. Ct. 1266, 131 L. Ed. 2d 145 (1995). Upon a showing of

plain error, an appellate court is empowered, but is not required,

to correct the error. I d

. a t 164. We will only correct a plain

error if it seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public

reputation of the judicial proceeding. Id

.-16-

The district court found that the drug distri bution

organization in this case consisted of Jo hn Buchanan, Diana

Buchanan, Bonner, Anderson, and McDay. The presentence report also

included several other regular purchasers from the Buchanans, and

"other confidential informants in Houston, Texas." Judging from

the record, we cannot say that these findings amounted to plain

error. There was ample evidence to support the district court's

finding that a drug-traffick ing organization of five or more

persons existed. Further, there was ample evidence that John

Buchanan was the leader of this group. Testimony indicated that

Crane and Anderson worked as "bodyguards" fo r John Buchanan, and

that John Buchanan directed their actions. McDay's testimony

confirmed that on the night of the arrest in Austin, John Buchanan

gave the others instructions, and they followed those instructions.

Testimony also indicated that John Buchanan had control over the

sale of drugs by his wife, Diana Buchanan. We hold that the

district court did not commit plain error in finding John Buchanan

to be the organizer or leader of this drug-trafficking group. S ee

U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 comment. (n.4) ("Factors the court should consider

include the exercise of d ecision making authority . . . and the

degree of control and authority exercised over others."); see also

United States v. Fierro

, 38 F.3d 761, 774 (5th Cir. 1994) (refusing

to consider whether district court erred in its factual findings at

sentencing because the defendant failed to object to the district

court's factual findings and "ques tions of fact capable ofJohn Buchanan argues that the punishment disparity between crack and

powder cocaine constitutes racial discrimination in violation of his Fif t h

Amendment right to equal protection, and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment

in violation of the Eighth Amendment. John Buchanan also argues that the

guideline appli cable to crack cocaine is unconstitutionally vague. We have

consistently rejected these arguments and do so again. S ee supr a note 9; see

also United States v. Cherry

, 50 F.3d 338, 342-44 (5th Cir. 1995) (holding that

the sentencing guidelines’ disparate treatment of crack cocaine is not racially

discriminatory under the Fifth Amendment's equal protection guarantees); United

States v. Fisher

, 22 F.3d 574, 579-80 (5th Cir.) (holding that stiffer penalties

for cocaine base transactions "are not grossly disproportionate to the severity

of the offense" and, therefore, do not violate Eighth Amendment), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 115 S. Ct. 529, 130 L. Ed. 2d 433 (1994); United States v. Thomas

, 932 F.2d 1085, 1090 (5th Cir. 1991) (holding that the statute and sentencing

guidelines applicable to crack cocaine "have a reasonable basis and are not vague

under commonly understood usages"), cert. denied

, 502 U.S. 1038, 112 S. Ct. 887,

116 L. Ed. 2d 791 (1992); Fisher

, 22 F.3d at 579 (rejecting vagueness challenge

to the guideline applicable to crack cocaine).

-17- resolution at sentencing can never constitute plain error"), cert.

denied , ___ U.S.

___, 115 S. Ct. 1431, 131 L. Ed. 2d 312 (1995). 10

B

John Buchanan next argues that his conviction on counts three

and four, both for using or carrying a firearm during a drugtrafficking offense, violated the Double Jeopardy Clause . Count

three charged John Buchanan with violating 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) for

aiding and abetting in using or carrying two semi-automatic pistols

during the crime of possession with intent to distribute cocaine

base in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Count four charged

John Buchanan with violating 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) for using or

carrying a machine gun during the same predicate crime (possession

with intent to distribute cocaine base) relied on in count three.

As we have previously held, use of more than one gun during a

single drug-trafficking offense will not support multiple co unts

under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). U nited Stat es v. Privette , 947 F.2d

1259, 1262 (5th Cir. 1991), cert. denied

, 503 U.S. 912, 112 S. Ct.11 In its brief the government concedes that sentencing John Buchanan

on both counts three and four violated double jeopardy principles.

John Buchanan also argues that his sentences under counts five and

six were duplicitous of the firearm charge contained in counts three and four.

This argument lacks merit. Counts three and four, applying 18 U.S.C. § 924(c),

required only that the defendant use or carry a firearm during a drug-trafficking

offense. Count five, alleging violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), required the

possession of an automatic weapon; and count six, applying 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1),

required that t he defendant not only possess a firearm, but that he also be a

convicted felon. Thus counts five and six involve distinct elements not required

by counts three and four. Under the test set forth in Blockburger v. United

States , 284 U.S. 299, 304, 52 S. Ct. 180, 182, 76 L. Ed. 2d 306 (1932) ("[T]he

test to be applied to determi ne whether there are two offenses or only one is

whether each provision requires proof of an additional fact which the other does

not."), John Buchanan's sentences under counts five and six do not violate double

jeopardy principles. We also reject John Buchanan's contention that the

imposition of a civil forfeiture penalty, the loss of a 1985 Mercedes and a 1988

Jaguar, constituted double jeopardy and violated the Eighth Amendment prohibition

agains t excessive fines. As we have previously held, the forfeiture of drug

proceeds does not constitute punishment, and thus neither the Eighth Amendment

prohibition against excessive fines nor double jeopardy analysis is applicable.

United States v. Tilley

, 18 F.3d 295, 300 (5th Cir.), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 115 S. Ct. 574, 130 L. Ed. 2d 490 (1994). Even if these automobiles were not

drug proceeds, so long as the amount forfeited was rationally re lated to the

governmental and societal losses associated with John Buchanan's criminal

activity, double jeopardy will not bar subsequent punishment. D epartment of

Revenue of Montana v. Kurth Ranch

,

___ U.S.

___, ___, 114 S. Ct. 1937, 1945,

___ L. Ed. 2d

___ (1994); United States v. Halper

, 490 U.S. 435, 448-49, 109 S. Ct.

1892, 1902, 104 L. Ed. 2d 487 (1989); Tilley

, 18 F.3d at 299-300. In addition,

the Eighth Amendment only bars excessive fines. United States v. Austin

, ___ U.S.

___, ___, 113 S. Ct. 2801, 2812, 125 L. Ed. 2d 488 (1993). We hold that the

forfeiture of these two automobiles, even when combined with the other

punishments in this case, did not constitute excessive punishment. Nor did the

forfeiture put John Buchanan in double jeopardy. The value of these automobiles

was rationally related to the governmental and societal losses associated with

-18- 1279, 117 L. Ed. 2d 505 (1992). Counts three and four linked the

§ 924(c) gun charge to the same underlying drug offense )) possession

with intent to distribute cocaine base. Accordingly, we hold that

sentencing John Buchanan on both count three and count four

violated double jeopardy principles. 1 1 The proper remedy is to

vacate John Buchanan's sentence on counts three and four and remand

for resentencing on whichever count the government chooses to

proceed with. I d

. at 1263. We affirm John Buchanan's sentence in

all other respects. 12the Buchanans' crack cocaine operation. After careful review of the record, we

find the remainder of John Buchanan's claims to be without merit.

-19- IV

A

Bonner argues that the district court erred in overruling his

F ED . R. E VID . 404(b) objection and admitting evidence of his prior

cocaine delivery conviction. The district court admitted the

evidence as relevant to Bonner's "motive," "state of mind," or

"intent" because Bonner's d efense was that he was an innocent

bysta nder. We review the district court's admission of prior

convictions over objection under a heightened abuse of discretion

standard. U

nited States v. Wisenbaker

, 14 F.3d 1022, 1028 (5th

Cir. 1994); United States v. Carrillo

, 981 F.2d 772, 774 (5th Cir.

1993), cert. den ied , ___ U.S. ___, 115 S. Ct. 261, 130 L. Ed. 2d

181 (1994). Extrinsic offense evidence is properly admitted under

Rule 404(b) only if: (1) it is relevant to an issue other than the

defendant's character, and (2) its probative value is not

substantially outweighed by its undue prejudice. U nited States v.

Ponce , 8 F.3d 989, 993 (5th Cir. 1993); United States v. Beechum

,

582 F.2d 898, 911 (5th Cir. 1978) (en banc), cert. denied

, 440 U.S.

920, 99 S. Ct. 1244, 59 L. Ed. 2d 472 (1979).

Evidence is relevant "if it makes the existence of any fact at

issue more or less probable than it would be without the evidence."

United States v. Williams , 900 F.2d 823, 826 (5th Cir. 1990). As

we stated in Beechum , "[i]t is derogative of the search for truthBonner argues that we should ev aluate the relevance of the prior

conviction as to each distinct count of the indictment. We decline to do so.

Bonner offered the same defense to all counts of the indictment: that he was an

innocent bystander. The prior conviction is relevant to show that Bonner did not

innocently accompany his co-defendants, and this extends to all counts for which

Bonner was charged as a member of the conspiracy (possess i on of crack cocaine

with intent to distribute, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and

aiding and abetting in using or carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking

offense).

-20- to allow a defendant to tell his story of innocence without facing

him with evidence impeaching that story." 582 F.2d at 909.

Evidence that Bonner was previously convicted of a cocaine delivery

offense tends to refute his story that he was merely "in the wrong

place at the wrong t ime," and makes it more probable that he had

the requisite "state of mind" or "intent" to participate in the

present cocaine-related offenses. 13 S ee United States v. Cheramie

,

51 F.3d 538, 541-42 (5th Cir. 1995) (holding evidence of prior drug

sales admissible und er 404(b) to show "knowledge" and "intent"

where de fendant claimed he did not know that the gym bag he took

possession of contained two kilograms of cocaine). Accordingly, we

hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in

finding Bonner's prior drug offense relevant to the case at hand.

After finding Bonner's prior conviction relevant, the district

court weighed the conviction's probative value against its possible

prejudicial effects. The probative value of extrinsic offense

evidence "must be determined with regard to the extent to which the

defendant's unlawful intent i s established by other evidence,

stipulation, or inference." B eechum

, 582 F.2d at 914; Williams

,

900 F.2d at 827; see also United States v. Henthorn

, 815 F.2d 304,Without the admission of the prior drug conviction, the government's

evidence as to Bonner's st ate of mind would have been limited to McDay's

testimony concerning Bonner's use of a gun in sweeping his apartment, the

officers' observations at the night club, Bonner's presence in the car, and

Bonner's thumbprint on one of the gun magazines.

We have previously held that in conspiracy cases "the mere entry of

a not guilty plea sufficiently raises the issue of intent to justify the

admissibility of extrinsic offense evidence." U nited States v. Prati

, 861 F.2d

82, 86 (5th Cir. 1988).

-21- 308 (5th Cir. 1987) (indicating that the probity analysis "hinges

upon the government's need f or the testimony"). Because the

prosecution's other admitted evidence shed little light on Bonner's

"state of mind" or "intent," 14 the probative value of the extrinsic

offense evidence was greater. S ee Williams

, 900 F.2d at 827

(noting that "limited evidence the government could

. . . adduce on

the issues of knowledge and intent increases the incremental

probity of the extrinsic evidence"); see also Beechum

, 582 F.2d at

9 14-15 (discussing incremental probity of extrinsic evidenc e in

relation to other admissible evidence). Bonner's entry of a not

guilty plea and his attack on McDay's credibility also enhances the

probity of the prior offense evidence by placing his intent and

state of mind at issue. 15 S ee Henthorn

, 815 F.2d at 308 (finding

probative value of extrinsic offense evidence outweighed possible

prejudice where defendant pleaded not guilty and attacked the

credibility of witnesses). Although the danger of prejudice

associated with prior conviction evidence is often great, the

district court in this case substantially reduced the possibility

of prejudice to Bonner by carefully instructing the jury on how

they could consider the e vidence. S ee id

. at 304 (finding thatWhen asked about the significance of observing Bonner and Crane in

the car outside the nightclub, one officer testified that "[i]t appeared that

those two people were protecting something in that car." The second officer

stated his opinion that it would be unreasonable for persons trafficking crack

cocaine worth $30,000 to have an uninvolved "outsider" in the car. Bonner timely

objected to these answers as improper opinion testimony, but in both instances

the district court overruled the objections.

Bonner contends that the government did not qualify or proffer the

police officers as expert witnesses, and that their testimony must, therefore,

be reviewed as opinion testimony of lay witnesses. We disagree. "If scientific,

technical, or ot h er specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to

understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as

an expert by knowledge, skill, experience

, training or ed ucation, may testify

thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise." F ED . R. E VID . 702 (emphasis

added). The record reflects that the prosecution qualified the officers as

experts during direct examination by questioning them and eliciting responses as

-22- careful jury instructions minimized possibility of prejudice); see

also United States v. Gordon , 780 F.2d 1165, 1174 (5th Cir. 1986)

(holding improper admission of extrinsic evidence may be cured by

adequate limiting instruction). Based upon the foregoing

considerations, we hold that the district court did not abuse its

discretion in finding that the probative value of Bonner 's prior

drug conviction outweighed the danger of undue prejudi ce.

Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not err in

admitting the evidence of Bonner's prior drug conviction.

B

Bonner next argues that the district court erred in admitting

the opinion testimony of two APD officers. 16 We review the district

court's evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. U nited States

v. Speer

, 30 F.3d 605, 609 (5th Cir. 1994), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 115 S. Ct. 768, 130 L. Ed. 2d 664 (1995). The admission of

the officers' opinion testimony is appropriately examined under the

standar d governing testimony of expert witnesses. 1 7 Expertto their experience and qualifications.

The first officer, a 15-year veteran of the APD, was assigned to the

repeat offender prog ram and testified as to his "experience and training" in

investigating drug-trafficking crimes. The second officer, a 12-year veteran,

had served as a narcotics investigator for six and one-half years prior to his

testimony.

-23- witnesses are permitted to express opinions or inferences that

"will assist the trier of fact to understand the evi dence or to

determine a fact in issue." F E D

. R. E VID

. 702. In situations such

as the present case, " The rule is well-established that an

experienced narcotics agent may testify about the significance of

certain conduct or methods of operation unique t o the drug

distribution business, as such testimony is ofte n helpful in

assis ting the trier of fact understand the evidence." U nited

States v. Washington

, 44 F.3d 1271, 1283 (5th Cir.), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 115 S. C t. 2011, 131 L. Ed. 2d 1010 (1995); s ee

United States v. Fleishman , 684 F.2d 1329, 1335-36 (9th Cir.)

(finding no error in admission of agent's testimony that defendant

acted as a "lookout" for drug transaction), cert. denied

, 459 U.S.

1044, 103 S. Ct. 464, 74 L. Ed. 2d 614 (1982).

Th e record reflects that both testifying officers were

experienced in investigating narcotics trafficking and drug-related

crimes. 18 Because of their experiences, the officers were familiar

with certain conduct and methods of operation unique to the drug

distribution business, including the methods used by drug dealers

to protect their illegal investments. The first officer testified

that, in his opinion, Bonner's and Crane's actions indicated thatWe also reject Bonner's argument that this testimony was

impermissible "profile evidence." In this case, the government did not seek to

prove guilt by showing how a defendant fit a list of characteristics making up

the "profile" of a drug courier. S ee United States v. Williams

, 957 F.2d 1238,

1241 (5th Cir. 1992) (holding testimony impermissible where officer "described

the profile itself and then proceeded to list the characteristics of the profile

that [the defendant] displayed"). Rather, in this case the government offered

the officer's testimony to indicate that Bonner's actions were inconsistent with

his claim that he was an innocent bystander. S ee Washington

, 44 F.3d at 1283 &

n.44 (holding "five 'expert' opinions by two government agents and the

[confidential informant] regarding the operations and methods of drug

trafficking" not impermissible profile evidence "because it was not offered for

that purpose").

Bonner also contends that the officers' opinions amounted to

testimony as to his guilt. Since the determination of guilt is solely within the

province of the trier of fact, an expert witness cannot give an opinion as to a

criminal defendant's mental state or condition. F E D

. R. E VID

. 704(b). However,

opinion testimony is permitted in regard to other ultimate issues. F E D

. R. E VID

. 704(a). Rule 704(a) provides that "[t]estimony in the form of an opinion or

infere n ce otherwise admissible is not objectionable because it embraces an

ultimate issue to be decided by the trier of f act." I d

. We have previously

recognized the difference between an impermissible opinion on an ultimate legal

issue and "a mere explanation of the expert's analysis of facts which would tend

to support a jury finding on the ultimate issue." U nited States v. Speer , 30

F.3d 605, 610 (5th Cir. 1994). We hold that the opinion testimony in question

falls into the latter category, and was merely an analysis of th e evidence in

light of the officers' specialized knowledge of drug trafficking.

-24- they were guarding the car. This type of testimony is permissible

because it is based on specialized knowledge, and is admitted to

aid the jury in understand ing a fact in issue ) ) whether Bonner's

presence with the drugs was innocent or not. The second officer

testified that, based on his experience, a person tran sporting

$30,000 worth of crack cocaine and multiple firearms would not

allow a complete outsider to ride in the car. This testimony was

also permissible opinion testimony, based on the officer's

specialized knowledge. 19 It aids the jury in understanding the

significance of Bonner's presence in a car laden with narcotics and

weapons. 20 F E D

. R. E VID

. 702; Washington , 44 F.3d at 1283.

Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not abuse itsBonner further argues that the cumulative effect of the district

court's evidentiary errors amounted to reversible error. Finding no evidentiary

errors, we reject this contention.

In response to Anderson's objection to having the Houston drugs

included in his sentence, the probation officer stated that Ande rson's

involvement in the conspiracy was extensive enough that the substances seized in

Houston were attributable to him. The district court agreed, stating that:

T here's no question in my mind that the jury was correct in

convicting Mr. A nderson of the conspiracy. The presentence

investigation shows Mr. Anderson's relation to the Buchanans going

back to 1987. There's no question that any of the narcotics found

in that room or house in Houston were part of the conspiracy that

had been going on for a long period of time and Mr. Anderson was

part of it.

-25- discretion in admitting the officers' opinion te stimony into

evidence. 21

V

Anderson argues that the district co urt misapplied the

Sentencing Guidelines in cal culating his base offense level.

Anderson maintains that the district court erred in attributing to

him the drugs seized from the Buchanan residence in Houston. 2 2 A

district court's findings about the quantity of drugs upon which a

sentence should be based are factual findings, which we review for

clear error. U

nited S tates v. Palamo , 998 F.2d 253, 258 (5th

Cir.), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 114 S. Ct . 358, 126 L. Ed. 2d

322 (1993); United States v. Ponce

, 917 F.2d 841, 842 (5th Cir.

1990), cert. denied , 499 U.S. 940, 111 S. Ct. 1398, 113 L. Ed. 2d

453 (1991). The Sentencing Guidelines allow a district court "to

hold a defendant accountable for all relevant conduct." U nited

States v. Maseratti

, 1 F.3d 330, 340 (5th Cir. 1993), cert. denied

,

___ U.S.

___, 114 S. Ct. 1096, 127 L. Ed. 2d 409 (1994). Under the-26-

Sentencing Guidelines, a co-conspirator is liable for "all

reasonably foreseeable acts and omissions of others in furtherance

of the jointly undertaken cr iminal activity." U.S.S.G.

§ 1B1.3(a)(1)(B). A conviction for conspiracy, however, "does not

automatically mean t hat every conspirator has foreseen the total

quantity of drugs involved in the entire conspira cy." U nited

States v. Smith

, 13 F.3d 860, 867 (5th Cir.), ce rt. denied

, ___

U.S. ___, 114 S. Ct. 2151, 128 L. Ed. 2d 877 (1994). We have

previously held that attributing the acts of others to a coconspirator in sentencing requires (1) that the acts be reasonably

foreseeable, and (2) that they be within the scope of the jointly

undertaken criminal activity. S ee Smith

, 13 F.3d at 866 (reversing

defendant's sentence because district court erred in attributing

drugs to defendant where defendant had not jointly undertaken the

criminal activity involving those particular drugs); Maseratti , 1

F.3d at 340 (remanding for determination of each defendant's role

in the conspiracy in order to determine the amount of drugs

attributable to each).

In this case, there was evidence that Anderson had been

involved with the Buchanans since 1987. Testimony indicated that

Anderson always accompanied John Buchanan on his trips to deliver

drugs in Austin, serving as John Buchanan's bodyguard and "righthand man." Officers testified that they had observed Anderson's

maroon Cadillac parked in the Buchanans' driveway in Houston, and

it was Anderson's car, driven by Anderson from Houston, that wasAnderson argues that further evidence of his lack of involvement with

the drugs seized in Houston is the significant difference in chemical purity of

those drugs as compared to the crack seized in Austin (80-85% pure in Austin, 62-

70% pure in Houston). The divergence in purity between different quantities of

drugs, however, will not negate a finding that the drugs are attributable to a

co-conspirator if th e test set forth in the guidelines is met. S ee Smith

, 13

F.3d at 864-65 (upholding district court's decision to attribute quantity of

drugs to a co-conspirator despite differences in the drugs' "color and purity"

because the drugs were reasonably foreseeable and within the scope of the

conspirators' agreement).

We also reject Anderson's contention that the district court erred

in admitting his prior drug possession convictions as evidence of intent or state

of mind. S ee supra Part IV(A). Anderson put his state of mind and intent into

issue by pleading not guilty and claiming that he had not intended to possess the

-27- used to transport the 280 grams of crack cocaine recovered in

Austin. Judging from the record, we cannot say the district court

erred in attributing the drugs seized from the Buchanan residence

in Houston to Anderson. 23 Anderson's involvement in this conspiracy

seems to have been co-extensive with the Buchanans. Having often

transported drugs from the Buchanan residence to Austin, it was not

only foreseeable that the Buchanans would have a significant amount

of drugs in their Hous ton home, but the presence of those drugs

fits squarely within the pattern of drug distribution evinced by

the actions of the conspirators in this case. S ee U.S.S.G.

§ 1B1.3, comment. (n.2(ii)) ("In determining the scope of the

criminal activity that the particular defendant agreed to jointly

undertake

. . . the court may consider any explicit agreement or

implicit agreement fairly inferred f rom the conduct of the

defendant and others."). Accordingly, we affirm the district

court's decision to attribute the cocaine seized in Houston to

Anderson in calculating his base offense level, and uphold his

sentence. 24crack cocaine or participate in the conspiracy. The prior drug possession

convictions, however, make it more likel y that Anderson had knowledge of and

intended to participate in the crimes committed by this group. S ee United States

v. Willis

, 6 F.3d 257, 262 (5th Cir. 199 3) (holding prior drug convictions

relevant to show that defendant had knowledge and intent necessary to possess

drugs at issue in case); United States v. Gadison

, 8 F.3 d 186, 192 (5th Cir.

1993) ("A prior convic tion for possession of cocaine is probative of a

defendant's intent when the charge is conspiracy to distribute."). We also

reject Anderson's contention that because his prior conviction was six years old,

it was too remote in time to have sufficient probative value to outweigh its

p rejudicial effect. S ee United States v. Rubio-Gonzales

, 674 F.2d 1067, 1075

(5th Cir. 1982) (allowing ten-year-old conviction to be admitted as relevant to

knowledge). The district court carefully considered the possible prejudice of

admitting the prior crimes evidence and determined that it did not substantially

outweigh the evidence's probative value. The district court further mitigated

any undue prejudice by carefully instructing the jury on how it could consider

this evidence. For these reasons we cannot say that admitting these convictions

for the limited purpose of showing Anderson's state of mind or intent constituted

an abuse of discretion.

-28- VI

For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the convictions of all

co-defendants. We AFFIRM the sentences of Diana Buchanan, Vernon

Bonner, and Fedell Anderson. We VACATE John Buchanan's sentence on

counts three and four and REMAND for resentencing on whichever

c ount the United States chooses to proceed with. We AFFIRM John

Buchanan's sentence in all other respects.