Opinion ID: 487837
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Cepeda's Involvement

Text: 9 Cepeda argues that the record shows only isolated contacts between her and members of the conspiracy, during which she was merely present and did not participate in the conspiracy. However, the evidence adduced at trial, when examined in the light most favorable to the government, Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942), supports a finding that Cepeda was not a mere bystander, but was in fact a participant in the conspiracy. 10 There was testimony from which the jury could find that in November 1982 Cepeda attended a conspiratorial planning meeting in Tampa and participated in the discussions at that meeting; that Cepeda and Rivas, her husband, were jointly responsible for furnishing the 22,000 pounds of marijuana that formed the subject matter of the illicit agreement; that in May 1981, Cepeda attended another meeting in Tampa wherein Rivas, Fortna, LaChance and co-conspirator Martinez reviewed the importation plans; and that the next day Cepeda accompanied Rivas and Martinez on a flight to San Antonio. 11 Further testimony indicated that Cepeda was a contact for members of the conspiracy. Fortna called a woman named Sonia for information regarding a flight to Aruba and the crew's abandonment of the plane there. Martinez characterized Cepeda as the contact in Colombia to purchase the marijuana, and co-conspirator Kelly described Cepeda's family in Colombia as the source for the marijuana. 12 Kelly further testified that Cepeda was financing the operation, that she provided $40,000.00 to lease a replacement aircraft, and that, together with Rivas, she was entitled to half the marijuana load. Cepeda attended two meetings in Miami when Kelly was hired to pilot the replacement aircraft to Colombia. 13 Testimony also indicated that Cepeda was the contact for members of the conspiracy for information regarding the seizure of the plane and the arrest of the crew. Martinez telephoned Cepeda upon his arrival in Texas on the eve of the plane's scheduled return from Colombia, and she informed him that the others were already at the designated landing strip. 2 The day after her plane's scheduled return, Cepeda conveyed a message to Martinez from Colombia that the plane had been seized when it landed at the wrong location. Cepeda informed Kelly of the loss of the plane and the arrest of the crew in detail. She indicated that it would cost her $35,000 for each crew member's release. During this conversation, she gave Pearson $5,000.00 to lease an aircraft for a flight to Colombia. 14 It is well settled that participation in a conspiracy need not be proved by direct evidence; it may be inferred from the actions of the accused or by circumstantial evidence of a scheme. United States v. Carter, 760 F.2d 1568, 1582 (11th Cir.1985); United States v. Cole, 755 F.2d 748, 755 (11th Cir.1985). The evidence of Cepeda's conduct recited above, although circumstantial, easily affords a sufficient basis for finding that she deliberately and knowingly joined and participated in the conspiracy. See Cole, 755 F.2d at 754.