Opinion ID: 460125
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Thomas Reese's Convictions for Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility

Text: 47 A conviction under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 843(b) (1982) 7 requires the (1) knowing or intentional (2) use of a communications facility (3) to aid or facilitate the felonious distribution of narcotics. United States v. Whitten, 706 F.2d 1000, 1006 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 465 U.S. 1100, 104 S.Ct. 1593, 80 L.Ed.2d 125 (1984). To facilitate within the meaning of the statute is merely to make easier or less difficult. United States v. Phillips, 664 F.2d 971, 1032 (5th Cir.1981), cert. denied, 457 U.S. 1136, 102 S.Ct. 2965, 73 L.Ed.2d 1354 (1982). 48 Thomas Reese contends that because certain telephone calls were placed by Agent Greene, and not by Reese, Reese's conduct did not constitute use of a communications facility within the meaning of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 843(b) (1982). This contention is without merit. In order for Reese's convictions to stand, the evidence need only establish his willing participation in the telephone conversations at issue. United States v. Rodriguez, 546 F.2d 302, 307 (9th Cir.1976). 49 Reese's convictions are clearly supported by sufficient evidence. Each of the charged telephone calls involved prospective narcotics transactions, and Reese willingly participated in each of them for the purpose of furthering his unlawful narcotics trade. Accordingly, we affirm Reese's five convictions for unlawful use of a communications facility. 50