Opinion ID: 550346
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Conspiracy and Cocaine Case

Text: 2 In case number 89-2439, the indictment charged Parkin with two counts. Count One alleged that Parkin, Narcisco Rosalez, and Richard Wooten conspired to possess cocaine with intent to distribute it and distribution of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 846. This count charged that the conspiracy began no later than the fall of 1986 and continued at least until the spring of 1988. The overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy included the break-in of a home by Wooten and Rosalez and the sale of cocaine by Parkin and Rosalez. Count Two charged Parkin and Rosalez with distributing cocaine, and causing it to be distributed, on or about September 11, 1987, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1). Parkin filed a motion in limine requesting the court to suppress any evidence concerning how Parkin had obtained the cocaine. The court denied the motion. The parties then proceeded to trial. 3 A confidential informant, Rocky Ghidina, assisted the government with its investigation of Parkin. Ghidina was equipped by police specialists with hidden electronic equipment--a recorder and a transmitter. On September 10, 1987, Ghidina went to the Ragon Motel in Creve Coeur, Illinois. At this meeting, which lasted about ten minutes, Ghidina asked Parkin to get some cocaine for him. Ghidina asked Parkin if one-quarter ounce of cocaine would cost $500 and Parkin responded that that was always the price. They agreed to meet at the Hole in the Wall Tavern between 11:00 and 12:00 the next morning. At 10:50 a.m. the next day Parkin came to Ghidina's apartment. Parkin said that he needed the money before he could go pick up the cocaine. Shortly after 11:00 that morning, Ghidina and Parkin drove a van to Bill and Mary's Tavern. Ghidina gave Parkin $500 and went into the tavern. Parkin left the van and went up the road. Parkin returned without any drugs. Parkin and Ghidina then waited in the parking lot in Ghidina's van. Narcisco Rosalez pulled up next to the van. Rosalez got into the van and handed Parkin one-quarter ounce of cocaine. Parkin then handed the cocaine to Ghidina. Ghidina and Parkin made arrangements for Parkin to get one-half gram of cocaine because Parkin made no money on the deal. The cocaine purchased in the transaction was introduced into evidence at trial. 4 Ghidina testified that he had previously bought drugs from Parkin sometime in 1987 prior to the transaction on September 11, and that prior to 1987 he went to Springfield with Parkin to cut twelve to fifteen ounces of cocaine into smaller quantities. Ghidina also testified about the subsequent marijuana transaction that was the subject of the other prosecution at issue in this appeal. 5 The government elicited testimony concerning the home invasion by Rosalez and Wooten. Craig Anderson was a courier who shuttled drugs between Wooten and Rosalez. Anderson testified that Rosalez gave him a large quantity of cocaine and money to bring to Wooten's house. Anderson never arrived at Wooten's house. A day or two later Wooten and Rosalez broke into Anderson's house to retrieve the cocaine and money. The three fought, but Anderson eventually got away. 6 Parkin argues that the testimony from the government informant Ghidina concerning other drug transactions within the time period of the alleged conspiracy was unduly prejudicial under Federal Rule of Evidence 403. Parkin also claims that the testimony of Ghidina was not credible. Finally, he argues that the admission of evidence of the home invasion was not proper because this crime was not in furtherance of the conspiracy.