Opinion ID: 660058
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Mr. Mendoza's Argument

Text: 2 Mr. Mendoza contends that the district court erred in its calculation of the total quantity of drugs attributable to him under United States Sentencing Guidelines (U.S.S.G.) 2D1.1 because the court included the amounts involved in two non-negotiated and unconsummated cocaine transactions. We review the district court's factual finding concerning the quantity of drugs for which a defendant may be held accountable under a clearly erroneous standard. United States v. Bernaugh, 969 F.2d 858, 864 (10th Cir.1992). We will not disturb this finding unless it has no support in the record or, after reviewing all the evidence, we are firmly convinced that an error has been made. Id. 3 In United States v. Reyes, 979 F.2d 1406, 1410 (10th Cir.1992), we held that before a defendant may be held accountable for drug quantities that are not the subject of a completed transaction, the evidence must establish a negotiation, which at a minimum requires proof that [the d]efendant intended to participate in an additional illegal drug transaction. The record not only supports the district court's finding that Mr. Mendoza negotiated in one instance for the sale of an additional ounce and in another instance for the sale of an additional one-half kilo of cocaine, but also reveals that Mr. Mendoza intended to carry out the transactions and that he had the capability to produce the illicit drugs. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Albert Laurita testified that after he purchased several grams of cocaine from Mr. Mendoza on July 14, 1992, he asked Mr. Mendoza when it would be possible to purchase an additional ounce of cocaine. Mr. Mendoza told him that this would be possible later that evening. Special Agent Laurita stated that, although the exchange did not occur due to funding problems, he believed that Mr. Mendoza could have provided him with the ounce of cocaine. Special Agent Laurita also testified that Greg Tims, a government informant, asked Mr. Mendoza about purchasing one-half kilo of cocaine. Mr. Mendoza told Tims that he would sell Tims one-half kilo for $5,500, giving Tims specific instructions regarding how the transaction would take place. This evidence and the record as a whole convince us that the district court did not err in attributing to Mr. Mendoza the quantity of drugs involved in the two negotiated cocaine transactions.