Opinion ID: 2978839
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Facts Related to Counts Nine and Twelve

Text: Counts Nine and Twelve both charged that Slayton knowingly and intentionally used a communication facility, that is, the telephone, to facilitate the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substance Act, that is conspiracy to distribute cocaine hydrochloride (powder) and cocaine base (crack), Schedule II controlled substances, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, all in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b). Count Nine was based on a telephone conversation that took place on June 5, 1998, at approximately 2:55 p.m., involving Slayton and Nathan Benford, one of Slayton’s co-conspirators. Count Twelve 1 After the government presented its case-in-chief, the district court granted Slayton’s motion to dismiss Counts Seven and Eight of the indictment, charging Slayton with possession with intent to distribute on July 28, 1998, and use of a telephone to facilitate the commission of a felony under the Controlled Substance Act on June 4, 1998. -2- No. 08-5428 USA v. Slayton was premised on a telephone conversation recorded on July 10, 1998, at approximately 4:16 p.m., also involving Slayton and Benford. The June 5 conversation, forming the basis for Count Nine, involved the following partial exchange between Slayton and Benford: Slayton: Five and nine. Five for the nine. Fifty five for the nine? Benford: Who, what, when? What the hell? Slayton: Fifty five for nine something[.] Benford: Fifty five for nine? Slayton: Yeah. Benford: Come down at Ronnie’s and holler at me man. Slayton: Man I’m at work. Benford: You at work? Slayton: Yeah. Benford: Well holler at me when you get off. The conversation ended with Slayton agreeing to contact Benford when he got off work. A similar exchange took place on July 10, which formed the basis for Count Twelve: Slayton: Islam? Benford: Yeah man. Slayton: What you say about that? Benford: Man I told you what what’s was up yesterday man. Slayton: Why don’t you double that up man. Put, put me on a mission. Benford: What? Slayton: Double that up and put me on a mission. Benford: Shit man, you too hard man. Slayton: Don’t start that man. Benford: Man you know I’m in bad shape man. Slayton: Don’t start what the hell, I’m gonna, I’m gonna take care of that. This call ended with Slayton agreeing to meet with Benford. -3- No. 08-5428 USA v. Slayton To support its case on Counts Nine and Twelve, the government called Special Agent Wayne Jackson, the agent investigating the case for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to testify about the process used to record telephone conversations and the code words that drug dealers use when they arrange drug transactions over the telephone. Jackson testified that individuals who frequently deal with each other have a close relationship and, thus, say very little over the phone. Jackson also explained the difference between crack cocaine and powder cocaine and the quantities in which the two are frequently sold. Finally, Jackson gave specific testimony on the investigation into the drug organization in Chattanooga and the specific players involved in the distribution of powder cocaine and crack cocaine. Jackson stated that he recorded sixteen conversations between Slayton and Benford and that Jackson listened to the recordings with Benford to verify their correctness. In addition, Nathan Benford testified, with the hope of obtaining a reduction in his sentence on his own conspiracy and money laundering convictions. Benford testified that he sold Slayton drugs on at least four occasions before his arrest, consisting of transactions in both powder cocaine and crack cocaine. He told the jury that Slayton frequently asked for reduced prices or larger quantities of drugs and that Slayton was slow in paying for drugs. According to Benford’s testimony, his last transaction with Slayton occurred a day or two before Benford was arrested on July 30, 1998. Benford estimated that altogether he sold Slayton thirty-one and one-half ounces of powder cocaine and nineteen ounces of crack cocaine. Specifically as to the June 5 telephone conversation, at issue in Count Nine, Benford testified that Slayton asked for nine ounces of drugs for $5,500, which Benford felt was not enough money for the amount of drugs. Benford stated that he asked Slayton to talk with him in person about the price and quantity because he did not like -4- No. 08-5428 USA v. Slayton talking about drugs over the telephone. On cross examination, Benford stated that he never completed a transaction with Slayton for the quantity and price suggested by Slayton in the recording. As to the July 10 conversation occurring at 4:16 p.m., forming the basis of Count Twelve, Benford testified that Slayton asked to receive double the amount of drugs that Benford had sold him in the first transaction. According to Benford, Slayton also promised that he would pay Benford for anything that Benford sold him. Benford then instructed Slayton to see him in person so that Slayton would stop talking about drugs over the telephone. The government played three additional conversations between Benford and Slayton from July 10, in which they continued to discuss a possible drug transaction. On cross examination, Benford testified that he met with Slayton on July 10, but he did not remember what happened at the meeting.