Opinion ID: 713052
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence of Intent to Defraud.

Text: 7 Jimenez argues that the government presented insufficient evidence of the specific intent to defraud required by 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1341. To overturn the convictions on a sufficiency of the evidence challenge, we must find that a rational trier of fact could not have found that the government proved the essential elements of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. McCord, 33 F.3d 1434 (5th Cir.1994). We must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, accepting all credibility choices and reasonable inferences made by the jury. Id. 8 Intent to defraud requires an intent to (1) deceive, and (2) cause some harm to result from the deceit. United States v. St. Gelais, 952 F.2d 90 (5th Cir.1992) (wire fraud). 1 Intent to defraud exists if the defendant acts knowingly with the specific intent to deceive for the purpose of causing financial loss to another or bringing about some financial gain to himself. U.S. v. Rico Industries, Inc., 854 F.2d 710 (5th Cir.1988). Conspiracy to commit mail fraud requires proof of intent to commit mail fraud. United States v. Sneed, 63 F.3d 381 (5th Cir.1995). Jimenez admits that he used fictitious business contact names and fictitious business addresses. The evidence also shows that he engaged in the venture to make a profit. This evidence is sufficient for a rational trier of fact to have found that Jimenez had the intent to deceive Sphere for the purpose of bringing about financial gain to himself. 9