Opinion ID: 769576
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Manufacturing Methamphetamine

Text: 51 Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a rational jury could also have convicted Cervantes for manufacturing methamphetamine. To prove a violation of S 841(a)(1), the government must prove that Cervantes (1) knowingly or intentionally (2) manufactured methamphetamine. United States v. Basinger, 60 F.3d 1400, 1406 (9th Cir. 1995). 52 First, there was sufficient evidence from which the jury could find that methamphetamine was manufactured in Apartment 3. The police found 30 pounds of methamphetamine, cutting agents, a hydraulic press, and packaging materials within Apartment 3. Also, the government offered expert testimony that, at the time of Cervantes' arrest, Apartment 3 was being used to manufacture methamphetamine. 53 Second, there was sufficient evidence for a rational jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Cervantes had knowingly or intentionally manufactured the methamphetamine found in Apartment 3. Cervantes was present during the manufacturing process and offered no legitimatereason for being there. Cervantes' presence in that one-room apartment reeking with tell-tale indicia of an ongoing drugdistributing enterprise could rationally have been viewed as a privilege reserved exclusively for participants.  United States v. Staten, 581 F.2d 878, 885 (D.C. Cir. 1978) (footnotes omitted). Furthermore, the evidence showed that Cervantes was the renter of the apartment, which could reasonably suggest that he controlled the activities occurring there, including the methamphetamine manufacturing. Lastly, he fled Apartment 3 upon the officers' arrival, which the jury could reasonably take as a sign that he was engaged in the illegal manufacturing occurring therein. Cf. Chambers, 918 F.2d at 1458 (The nature of an attempt to flee from law enforcement officials is probative of possession as well as knowledge.). The above facts are sufficient for a rational jury to convict Cervantes of manufacturing methamphetamine.