Source: https://case-law.vlex.com/vid/408-f-3d-672-603507294
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 16:21:56+00:00

Document:
Party Name: UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Pete MAGALLANEZ, Defendant-Appellant.
Daniel G. Blythe, Cheyenne, WY, for Defendant-Appellant.
Kelly H. Rankin, Assistant United States Attorney, (Matthew H. Mead, United States Attorney, with her on the brief) Casper, WY, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
this case involves constitutional (Sixth Amendment) error, which lowers the hurdle for demonstrating plain error. But unlike our recent panel decision in United States v. Dazey, 403 F.3d 1147 (10th Cir.2005), the district judge in this case expressed the view that the evidence in support of the sentencing enhancements was sufficiently powerful--he said it was proven "beyond any doubt"--that we conclude any remand for resentencing would be futile.
Before we reach the sentencing issues in this case, however, we must first address the defendant's challenges to his conviction, which are predicated on certain alleged evidentiary errors and the insufficiency of the evidence.
Law enforcement agents began investigating the "Moreno" drug ring in early 1999. The investigation included more than 100 interviews and the collection of numerous documents. These interviews and documents led the agents to believe that Mr. Magallanez was involved in the conspiracy. Mr. Magallanez was charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(a)(1). He received a jury trial.
During trial, the government called Kurt Dobbs, the Director of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations, to testify about the general nature and scope of the investigation and about the developments that led to the arrest of Mr. Magallanez. The government also called DEA Special Agent Steve Woodson, who testified about his involvement in the investigation. Agent Woodson also testified as an expert with specialized knowledge on drug quantities and their prices in Wyoming. Several participants in the drug ring testified on behalf of the government and offered evidence that incriminated Mr. Magallanez. These latter witnesses had agreed to testify as part of plea agreements. The jury convicted Mr. Magallanez.
Mr. Magallanez raises four issues on appeal of his conviction.
First, Mr. Magallanez challenges admission of certain testimony by Agents Dobbs and Woodson. Agent Dobbs testified that information obtained from members of the Moreno drug ring, corroborated by documentation such as phone records and money transfers, led to the indictment of Mr. Magallanez. Agent Dobbs characterized the investigation as a typical conspiracy investigation. He explained that the investigation entailed obtaining evidence in "several different ways. One of the main ways is interviewing people ... and try[ing] to corroborate what they say through ... other people's ... interviews [or] paper[s]...." Id.
Agent Woodson testified as to the street prices of methamphetamine, and explained the meaning of slang phrases that are commonly used by participants in a drug ring, but might not be familiar to those not participating. Agent Woodson also explained the value of phone records, motel records, and wire transfers in corroborating information obtained from witnesses.
relate to the defendant is the documentation that corroborates or adds to the credibility of some of the people that gave us information about the defendant and the defendant's involvement in the trafficking of methamphetamine." R. Vol. 4 at 567. Although Mr. Magallanez does not cite any single statement of Agent Woodson as especially egregious, he argues that Agent Woodson testified in summary that the witnesses in this case were telling the truth.
Mr. Mallaganez did not challenge this testimony before the district court. We therefore review the admission of the evidence for plain error. United States v. Walser, 275 F.3d 981, 985 (10th Cir.2001). To establish plain error, Mr. Magallanez must demonstrate that the district court (1) committed error, (2) that the error was plain, and (3) that the plain error affected his substantial rights. United States v. Cotton, 535 U.S. 625, 631, 122 S.Ct. 1781, 152 L.Ed.2d 860 (2002). If all these conditions are met, a court reviewing the error may exercise discretion to correct it if the error seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings. Id. at 631-32, 122 S.Ct. 1781.
Mr. Magallanez contends that the drug agents' testimony regarding the historical background of the investigation that ultimately led to him was irrelevant to the charges against him. However, "a defendant cannot complain of error which he has invited upon himself." United States v. Cutler, 948 F.2d 691, 697 (10th Cir.1991) (internal quotations omitted). During his opening statement, Mr. Magallanez's attorney asserted that nothing in the documents produced by the investigation would implicate his client. Referring to a large stack of discovery documents, he said, "None of that stuff is going to say that Pete Magallanez is involved in this drug conspiracy...." R. Vol. 2 at 160 (trial transcript). Additionally, the defendant's attorney referred to the documents during his cross-examination of one of the drug enforcement agents and said, "I didn't find anything that seems to relate to Pete." R. Vol. 3 at 554. These assertions invited the government to address the relevance of the discovery documents. "It is widely recognized that a party who raises a subject in an opening statement 'opens the door' to admission of evidence on that same subject by the opposing party." United States v. Chavez, 229 F.3d 946, 952 (10th Cir.2000). Mr. Magallanez cannot seek to exclude as irrelevant the agents' testimony regarding the background of the investigation after opening the door for the government to explain why "that stuff" related to him.
say that the district court made an "obvious" or "substantial" error in determining that the evidence regarding preparation and development of the drug investigation was relevant and not unfairly prejudicial.

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