Opinion ID: 2975855
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Clark argues that “there is insufficient evidence that [he] entered into an agreement with -4- No. 06-3747 United States v. Clark Maldonado to violate the drug laws and participate in the conspiracy.” Specifically, he contends that Maldonado’s testimony cannot establish the conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt. The Court reviews Clark’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to determine “whether after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Wang, 222 F.3d 234, 237 (6th Cir. 2000). In applying this standard, the Court makes a de novo assessment when, like here, defendant properly moves for acquittal under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29 at trial. United States v. Kelley, 461 F.3d 817, 825 (6th Cir. 2006) (citations omitted); see also United States v. Paige, 470 F.3d 603, 608 (6th Cir. 2006). Initially, Clark notes that Maldonado received a substantial reduction in his potential sentence in exchange for cooperating with the Government, to include but not limited to testifying in Clark’s trial. As an attack on Maldonado’s credibility, however, Clark’s argument is a non sequitur: “[a]ttacks on witness credibility are simple challenges to the quality of the government’s evidence and not the sufficiency of the evidence.” United States v. Sanchez, 928 F.2d 1450, 1457 (6th Cir. 1991). In assessing the sufficiency of the evidence, “we do not weigh the evidence, assess the credibility of the witnesses, or substitute our judgment for that of the jury.” United States v. Wright, 16 F.3d 1429, 1440 (6th Cir. 1994). “[W]e draw all available inferences and resolve all issues of credibility in favor of the jury’s verdict.” United States v. Salgado, 250 F.3d 438, 446 (6th Cir. 2001). United States v. Paige, 470 F.3d 603, 608 (6th Cir. 2006). Next, Clark argues that the substance of Maldonado’s testimony, even if taken as true, cannot establish Clark as a coconspirator. He asserts that Maldonado’s testimony merely establishes association between the two and cites, for example, United States v. Hernandez, 896 F.2d 518, 519 -5- No. 06-3747 United States v. Clark (11th Cir. 1990). In Hernandez, the case against a co-defendant, Hector Giral, consisted of “Giral’s presence in Aquino’s car and at the trunk when Aquino delivered the package to Garcia, Giral’s walking away after catching Garcia’s eye, Giral’s talking to a dead phone, and Giral’s prior conviction of cocaine possession.” Id. In Hernandez, the evidence against Giral stemmed solely from surveillance. Here, Maldonado provided direct testimony implicating Clark in the conspiracy. Specifically, he stated that Clark knew the reason for traveling to Elkhart and agreed to drive in exchange for relief from drug debt. Furthermore, Maldonado’s testimony was consistent with the observations of officers who witnessed the two on March 13. For instance, Mark Apple testified to observing what he believed was a second drug transaction in the Applebee’s parking lot after the controlled sale to Agent Denomy. Maldonado confirmed this observation with his testimony. He also explained that Clark had brought his own personal supply of cocaine to use on the trip, thereby accounting for the residue found in Clark’s vehicle when the two were stopped in Fremont. Thus, unlike the facts in Hernandez, the evidence against Clark did not stem solely from surveillance. Instead, Maldonado’s direct testimony implicated Clark in the conspiracy. This Court has held that “‘the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice may support a conviction under federal law.’” United States v. Frost, 914 F.2d 756, 762 (6th Cir. 1990) (quoting United States v. Gallo, 763 F.2d 1504, 1518 (6th Cir. 1985), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1017 (1986)). Accordingly, the evidence in this case, reviewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, is such that “any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable -6- No. 06-3747 United States v. Clark doubt.” Wang, 222 F.3d at 237.