Opinion ID: 2995593
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Johnson’s Money Laundering Conviction

Text: Stephanie Johnson argues that the Government did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she knew that the proceeds involved in the money laundering transactions--which she admits she completed--were from drug sales./13 Johnson is correct in asserting that her convictions are invalid without sufficient evidence that she knew the proceeds derived from an illegal activity, see United States v. Gracia, 272 F.3d 866, 873 (7th Cir. 2001) (conspiracy to commit money laundering); United States v. Rodriguez, 53 F.3d 1439, 1447 (7th Cir. 1995) (substantive money laundering), but her argument that the government’s evidence is insufficient is frivolous. The jury was presented with ample evidence to support the knowledge element of Johnson’s substantive money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering charges. A 1997 Ford Expedition was purchased in Johnson’s name with coconspirator Spradley’s funds in May of 1997, a period of time for which she does not dispute that Spradley had no other source of legitimate income. Drug ledgers and paraphernalia, small amounts of cocaine, close to $2,000 in cash, and several loaded firearms were found in Johnson’s bedroom along with Johnson’s identification and pager bill during a police search of the home she shared with coconspirator Boddie on February 24, 1994. Two witnesses testified that she observed drug transactions and even engaged in drug trafficking herself, and photographs of her with various conspiracy members were introduced at trial. Johnson argues that we should not consider the evidence stated in the previous sentence because she was acquitted of her drug conspiracy charge. But we do not know the basis for the jury’s acquittal, see United States v. Reyes, 270 F.3d 1158, 1168 (7th Cir. 2000) (listing possible reasons for inconsistent verdicts), and the fact that it convicted her of the money laundering charges suggests that the acquittal was not based on a belief that she was unaware of the conspirators’ drug activities. Accordingly, we conclude that there is more than sufficient basis for the jury’s verdict. See United States v. Rodriguez, 53 F.3d 1439, 1447-48 (7th Cir. 1995) (holding that it was reasonable for a jury to conclude that the defendant was aware of the illegal source of the funds based on his knowledge of and minimal participation in drug transactions). Accord, United States v. Atterson, 926 F.2d 649, 656 (7th Cir. 1991).