Source: http://openjurist.org/949/f2d/751
Timestamp: 2017-07-25 03:01:25
Document Index: 670116600

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 841', '§ 2', '§ 841', '§ 841', '§ 2', '§ 841', '§ 2']

949 F2d 751 United States v. Pena | OpenJurist
949 F. 2d 751 - United States v. Pena HomeFederal Reporter, Second Series 949 F.2d.
949 F2d 751 United States v. Pena 949 F.2d 751
34 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 790
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,v.Jairo Hernan PENA, Defendant-Appellant.
No. 90-2430.
Jairo Hernan Pena appeals his conviction on one count of aiding and abetting Miguel Munevar and others in possession with intent to distribute in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. Finding no error in the jury's verdict or district court procedures, we affirm.
Pena's indictment contained two counts. Count one charged Pena with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 846. Count two charged Pena with aiding and abetting Miguel Munevar and others in possession with intent to distribute in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and 18 U.S.C. § 2.
The jury found Pena guilty of aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) and 18 U.S.C. § 2. The crime of aiding and abetting occurs when a defendant associates with a criminal venture, purposefully participates in it, and seeks by his actions to make it succeed. United States v. Vaden, 912 F.2d 780, 783 (5th Cir.1990). The government does not need to prove each element of the crime, only that Pena aided and abetted that crime. United States v. Stanley, 765 F.2d 1224, 1242 (5th Cir.1985).
When reviewing a verdict for sufficiency of evidence, this court must determine "whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt." Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); United States v. Santisteban, 833 F.2d 513, 516 (5th Cir.1987).
First, we note that the crimes of conspiracy and aiding and abetting are separate and distinct. A person may aid and abet the commission of a crime without being a conspirator. See United States v. Bright, 630 F.2d 804, 813 (5th Cir.1980); United States v. Krogstad, 576 F.2d 22, 29 (3rd Cir.1978). "The essence of a conspiracy offense is proof of knowledge of and voluntary participation in an agreement to violate the law, whereas aiding and abetting requires that there be a 'community of unlawful intent' between the aider and abettor and the principal." United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d 971, 1010 (5th Cir.1981) (cites omitted), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1136, 102 S.Ct. 2965, 73 L.Ed.2d 1354 (1982). Second, even if the counts were overlapping, the law does not require consistency of verdict between the separate counts. United States v. Powell, 469 U.S. 57, 65, 105 S.Ct. 471, 476, 83 L.Ed.2d 461 (1984); United States v. Montalvo, 820 F.2d 686, 690 (5th Cir.1987). Inconsistent verdicts may simply be a reflection of the jury's leniency. Montalvo, 820 F.2d at 690.
Viewed in the light most favorable to upholding the verdict, we find the evidence to be sufficient. Such evidence must support a finding that Pena's intent to aid and abet Munevar existed prior to Fattig's transfer of the Suburban to the storage lot. After this point, Pena could no longer aid or abet Munevar in the illegal possession of the cocaine because Fattig had deviated from his agency and was no longer the agent for Pena and the HPD hold on the Suburban had ended any prior possession by Munevar or Pena. Pena's guilty knowledge, however, did not have to coincide with his own constructive possession of the cocaine. A conviction for aiding and abetting the possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute does not require that Pena have actual or constructive possession of the drug. It only requires that Pena associate himself with the venture, and participate in a way calculated to bring about that venture's success. See United States v. Raper, 676 F.2d 841, 850 (D.C.Cir.1982).
Even if the jury found Pena had no actual knowledge of the contents, it could have found that Pena deliberately remained ignorant of Munevar's criminal activity. United States v. Lara-Velasquez, 919 F.2d 946 (5th Cir.1990). Pena was not present when the Suburban arrived and he gave inconsistent stories to account for his absence. He testified that on the afternoon of June 8 he left to pick up his daughter, but he told Fattig that he was ill then. Pena testified that Munevar always paid cash for work done on his expensive cars, a BMW, Nissan Turbo, Porsche and Mazda RX7, regardless of the amount due. Pena's absence from Keeper Classics after requesting Fattig to bring the Suburban there, coupled with his knowledge of Munevar's unusual cash dealings and the alleged offer of $20,000 for a simple automobile towing job all would support a finding of deliberate ignorance.
Pena contends that the evidence does not support a verdict of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This might be true if the jury believed Pena's story and rejected the other evidence, however, "determining the weight and credibility of evidence is the special province" of the jury. United States v. Johnston, 685 F.2d 934, 937 (5th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 460 U.S. 1053, 103 S.Ct. 1501, 75 L.Ed.2d 932 (1983). The evidence presented at trial is sufficient to support a verdict of guilty in aiding and abetting in the possession with intent to distribute in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine.
B. Government Exhibit 32
Government Exhibit 32 is DEA Special Agent McDaniel's handwritten notes of Pena's interview subsequent to his arrest on June 10th. The district court admitted the notes over the objection of defense counsel. The district court has wide discretion in determining relevancy and we will not overrule it absent an abuse of discretion. United States v. Brown, 692 F.2d 345, 349 (5th Cir.1982). Pena argues that the district court abused its discretion because the notes are inadmissible under all Federal Rules of Evidence. We disagree.
Federal Rule of Evidence 801(d)(1)(B) excepts from the definition of hearsay a declarant's prior consistent statement "offered to rebut an express or implied charge against the declarant of recent fabrication or improper influence or motive." FED.R.EVID. 801(d)(1)(B). "If the opposite party wishes to open the door for its admission in evidence, no sound reason is apparent why it should not be received generally." FED.R.EVID. 801 advisory committee's notes. Pena opened the door regarding McDaniel's final report and testimony by insinuating that McDaniel may have inserted facts he learned after his interview with Pena. Defense counsel questioned McDaniel on his familiarity with interview techniques and why certain techniques, such as tape recordings or witness statements, were not employed. Counsel also continually reiterated that the final police report is dated 17 days after Pena's arrest on June 10th. Defense counsel clearly intimated that McDaniel may have attributed his own knowledge of the drug operation to Pena. Pena opened the door as to the validity and authenticity of the final report. The court did not abuse its discretion in admitting into evidence McDaniel's notes to demonstrate that his testimony correctly reflected Pena's statements at the interview.
C. Jury Instruction on Deliberate Ignorance
In assessing Pena's instruction challenge, this court must review the instructions in their totality and view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government. Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 469, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942); United States v. Chen, 913 F.2d 183, 186 (5th Cir.1990). We must determine whether the deliberate ignorance instruction "clearly instructs jurors as to the principles of law applicable to the factual issues confronting them." United States v. Lara-Velasquez, 919 F.2d 946, 950 (5th Cir.1990) (cites omitted).
Pena challenges the district court's denial of his motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. Motions for new trials based on newly discovered evidence "are disfavored by the courts and therefore are viewed with great caution." United States v. Fowler, 735 F.2d 823, 830 (5th Cir.1984). We will reverse a denial of a motion for new trial only when there is a clear abuse of discretion. Id.; United States v. Lopez-Escobar, 920 F.2d 1241, 1246 (5th Cir.1991). We find no abuse of discretion here.
See Lopez-Escobar, 920 F.2d at 1246; cf. Fed.R.Crim.P. 33. Failure to satisfy one part of this test requires denial of the motion for new trial. Fowler, 735 F.2d at 831.
Third, the evidence is not material and goes merely to impeach Fattig. Pena argues that the evidence would have cast a reasonable doubt on the conversations between Fattig and Pena. Pena contends that the evidence would undercut Fattig's credibility. If Fattig had testified, this evidence may have impeached him. Evidence which merely discredits or impeaches a witness' testimony does not justify a new trial. See United States v. Johnson, 596 F.2d 147, 149 (5th Cir.1979). A fortiori potential impeachment of a non-witness is insufficient. The evidence has no other materiality, it does not rebut any of the physical evidence.
Last, this evidence would not lead to an acquittal. The evidence would not raise a reasonable doubt as to guilt. See United States v. Snoddy, 862 F.2d 1154, 1156 (5th Cir.1989). Fattig's alleged actions in stealing the cocaine occurred after Fattig and Edwards had terminated Pena's involvement. Whether Fattig is also engaged in illegal activity does not detract from the evidence that Pena aided and abetted Munevar in the possession with intent to distribute in excess of five (5) kilograms of cocaine. Even if the jury were to totally discredit Fattig's behavior, it could still find Pena guilty, based on Pena's own actions and statements and the remaining unaffected testimony.