Opinion ID: 599269
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Julio Rodriquez

Text: 84 Julio Rodriquez argues that the evidence demonstrates that he was attempting to swindle the conspirators, not to join them. However, Mr. Rodriquez fails to point to any probative evidence which supports his theory. Instead, we find that the record provides sufficient evidence for the jury's determination that Mr. Rodriquez knowingly and intentionally joined the conspiracy. 85 The evidence shows that in September 1988, Mr. Rodriquez was directly involved in facilitating a half kilogram cocaine deal between Julio Velasco and Mr. Olave. On September 27, 1988, Mr. Velasco agreed to sell 500 grams of cocaine to Mr. Olave but when the deal culminated he was only able to deliver 307 grams. Nevertheless, Mr. Velasco promised to provide the remaining grams to Mr. Olave the following morning. 86 In an effort to complete the half kilogram deal with Mr. Olave, Mr. Velasco contacted Julio Rodriquez. Mr. Velasco, his brother Diego Argaez, and Mr. Rodriquez had participated in an earlier transaction which involved the sale of one kilogram of cocaine to the Ecuadorian, a customer of Mr. Rodriquez. Mr. Olave testified that Mr. Velasco and Mr. Argaez did not know the Ecuadorian, but they agreed to go through with the transaction because of their familiarity with Mr. Rodriquez. In fact, the evidence shows that Mr. Velasco and Mr. Argaez actually fronted the cocaine to Mr. Rodriquez so that he could sell it to the Ecuadorian. Such evidence indicates the existence of a level of trust between these appellants. In addition, Mr. Rodriquez's involvement in a transaction with Mr. Velasco, a committed member of the conspiracy, is evidence of an agreement on Mr. Rodriquez's part to provide customers to the single conspiracy and thus facilitate its overall purpose. 87 Although Mr. Velasco and his brother Diego Argaez satisfied their end of the bargain by providing the kilogram of cocaine to Mr. Rodriquez, the Ecuadorian still owed Mr. Velasco and Mr. Argaez money for the cocaine at the time of the deal between Mr. Velasco and Mr. Olave. Hence, Mr. Velasco hoped to obtain the grams of cocaine that he owed to Mr. Olave by reclaiming the cocaine that he had delivered to the Ecuadorian. 88 Contrary to Mr. Rodriquez's assertion that he and the Ecuadorian were attempting to cheat the conspirators, the evidence firmly supports an inference that he took steps to help Mr. Velasco reclaim the cocaine from the Ecuadorian. His cooperation in this regard is illustrated by the fact that he gave the Ecuadorian's address and place of work to Mr. Velasco when Mr. Velasco expressed his intention to reclaim the cocaine. Mr. Rodriquez contends that he cooperated only because he was threatened with bodily force. However, Mr. Rodriquez did not testify at trial, and the record does not otherwise substantiate such a claim. To the extent that he mounts a challenge to the weight given to the evidence by the jury, such a challenge exceeds the scope of our review. See Paiz, 905 F.2d at 1021. 89 We believe that Mr. Rodriquez's assistance supports a reasonable inference that he had a stake in the successful operation of the conspiracy. Moreover, his assistance reasonably supports an inference that Mr. Rodriquez believed that the benefits that he derived from the operation were dependent upon the success of the entire venture. See United States v. Cerro, 775 F.2d 908, 911 (7th Cir.1985). At the same time, this evidence negates Mr. Rodriquez's claim that he attempted to cheat the conspiracy. 90 Circumstantial evidence also supports the jury's finding that Mr. Rodriquez knowingly and intentionally participated in the conspiracy. Mr. Rodriquez's involvement with other members of the conspiracy may be inferred from Mr. Velasco's statement to Mr. Rodriquez that he was going to inform the rest of the guys of the problems that Mr. Velasco was having with Mr. Rodriquez's customer. At trial, Mr. Olave testified that the rest of the guys referred to the other people with whom Mr. Rodriquez dealt. To the extent that Mr. Velasco is a core conspirator, it is a fair inference that these people included other members of the conspiracy. 91 Accordingly we believe that Mr. Rodriquez's association with notorious members of the conspiracy, his deal with Mr. Velasco and his willingness to assist Mr. Velasco in his efforts to reclaim cocaine from one of his own customers, the Ecuadorian, reasonably support an inference that Mr. Rodriquez actively participated in the conspiracy.