Opinion ID: 658352
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: John Bonnenfant

Text: 186 Count 6 charged Rupley, Sr., and Bonnenfant with distribution of approximately four pounds of methamphetamine on or about September 15, 1982. The referenced transaction is apparently the same as predicate act (k) of the CCE count, which alleges that on September 15, 1982, Rupley, Sr., distributed approximately four pounds of methamphetamine to Bonnenfant, and that Bonnenfant was arrested the following day in possession of the four pounds of methamphetamine. There is no evidence that Bonnenfant further distributed the methamphetamine after receiving it. Bonnenfant correctly argues that the recipient of a drug delivery cannot be convicted of distribution. The term 'distribute' means to deliver (other than by administering or dispensing) a controlled substance or a listed chemical. 21 U.S.C. Sec. 802(11) (1988); see United States v. Harold, 531 F.2d 704, 705 (5th Cir.1976) (per curiam) (To distribute means to deliver.... [I]t does not mean to receive.). 187 Citing Bonnenfant's and Rupley, Sr.'s convictions in the methamphetamine conspiracy, the government contends that Bonnenfant's count 6 conviction should be upheld based on Pinkerton liability. This argument fails because the government made no showing that the distribution from Rupley, Sr., to Bonnenfant, apparently for personal use, was in furtherance of the methamphetamine conspiracy. Nor did the government charge this incident in the indictment as an overt act of the conspiracy. We therefore reverse Bonnenfant's conviction on count 6.