Opinion ID: 805819
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Garcia-Duarte

Text: Garcia-Duarte argues that the Government failed to prove that he made an agreement or had the intent to join the conspiracy. However, the Government does not need to prove an express agreement, as “[t]he conspiracy’s existence can be inferred from the facts and circumstances of a particular case.” United States v. Robertson, 659 F.2d 652, 656 (5th Cir. 1981) (citing Norfolk Monument Co. v. Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, 394 U.S. 700, 704 (1969)). Evidence of concerted action “can indicate agreement and voluntary participation” in the conspiracy. United States v. Quiroz-Hernandez, 48 F.3d 858, 866 (5th Cir. 1995), modified on other grounds by No. 94-60023, 1995 U.S. App. LEXIS 10311 (5th Cir. May 8, 1995). Resolving all credibility determinations in favor of the Government, the evidence shows that Garcia-Duarte hired Aviles for alien-smuggling missions, gave Aviles money to purchase a truck, gave him the contact numbers of scouts, and was waiting at the stash house when Aviles arrived with the aliens. Additionally, Torres—another co-conspirator—observed Garcia-Duarte and Leodegardo talking about obtaining vehicles, recruiting drivers, and determining which stash houses to use. Further, Martinez—with whom Garcia-Duarte was allegedly having a romantic relationship—testified that Garcia-Duarte was the only one who had access to her house, which was later found by ICE agents to contain five illegal aliens, two firearms, and a ledger that showed names, phone numbers, and currency numbers. The house’s exits had been boarded up and were padlocked so that no one could escape from the inside. Although GarciaDuarte heavily questioned Martinez’s credibility, we must resolve all credibility determinations and inferences in favor of the verdict. Resio-Trejo, 45 F.3d at 7 Case: 10-50970 Document: 00511942697 Page: 8 Date Filed: 08/02/2012 No. 10-50970 910-11. We conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support a finding that Garcia-Duarte was aware of and intentionally joined the conspiracy.