Opinion ID: 512599
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Distribution Count.

Text: 30 Because Graham did not personally deliver the cocaine to Pena, the government's theory is that Graham aided and abetted the delivery of cocaine. To sustain a charge of aiding and abetting, the government must demonstrate that Graham  'wilfully associate himself in some way with the criminal venture and wilfully participated in it as he would in something he wished to bring about.'  United States v. Natel, 812 F.2d 937, 941 (5th Cir.1987) (quoting United States v. Tolliver, 780 F.2d 1177, 1184 (5th Cir.1986), vacated on other grounds, 479 U.S. 1074, 107 S.Ct. 1267, 94 L.Ed.2d 128 (1987)). 31 There is ample evidence from which a reasonable jury could conclude that Graham aided and abetted Williams's distribution of cocaine. Graham was present at both meetings between Williams and Pena, and, government witnesses testified, was listening intently to their negotiations for the purchase of cocaine. Williams identified Graham as one of his runners and stated that Graham would assist in the second transaction by driving the cocaine to San Antonio; Graham himself later told Pena that Graham would do so. Graham also physically acknowledged the meeting at the motel room to complete the first transaction, and accompanied Williams there at the time when Williams said they would deliver the cocaine. 7 32 At the motel, Graham watched while Pena extracted a sample of the cocaine from the bundle and weighed the remainder. Graham heard Pena and Williams discuss the quality of the cocaine, and Graham answered Pena's question as to the origins of the cocaine. Finally, after being arrested, Graham evidenced his knowledge of the contents of the package by his exclamation to Pena that he never touched the dope. 8 33 Contrary to Graham's contention that the evidence merely establishes that he was an informed spectator, the evidence is sufficient for a reasonable factfinder to conclude that Graham, by virtue of his knowledge of every facet of the transaction and his presence at every meeting related thereto, knowingly and intentionally aided and abetted Williams's distribution of cocaine. Hence, we affirm the verdict on the distribution count. 34