Opinion ID: 663117
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 81 Morgan's first argument is that the government failed to present sufficient evidence to convict him of conspiracy. For a general discussion of conspiracy and the evidence necessary to convict a defendant of it see section II.B.1. of this opinion. The government presented evidence in the form of Avery's testimony and two taped telephone conversations between Avery and Morgan. Morgan presented a defense based upon his own testimony and other evidence. The district court weighed the evidence and the credibility and found that the government's evidence was credible and Morgan's evidence was not. We will not upset that determination here. See United States v. DeCorte, 851 F.2d 948, 953 (7th Cir.1988). 82 The evidence that the government presented clearly shows that Morgan and Avery were involved in an ongoing relationship whereby Morgan received cocaine from Avery, often on credit, for the purpose of distributing it or selling it to his customers. In one telephone conversation, Morgan indicated to Avery that the two would have to do some wheelin and dealin this week ... sorta like major big time. Morgan further indicated that the reason he needed to effectuate such a major deal was that his guys [were] leaving for San Diego and before they leave they want to do some biz (i.e. some help to our bizness.). 12 Finally Morgan complained to Avery that his customers were upset with the last delivery of cocaine because it was all filler. He told Avery that his guys go over the stuff with a fine tooth comb. Avery agreed to resolve the problem. Avery testified that he understood Morgan to be referring to his customers. Both Avery and Musillami also testified that Morgan purchased ounce quantities of cocaine. Musillami also testified that he made two deliveries to Morgan of two to three ounces of cocaine. Avery testified further that he often fronted cocaine to Morgan and he dealt with him on more than two occasions. The district court inferred from the totality of Morgan's contacts with Avery and the nature of their relationship that an agreement existed and found Morgan guilty of conspiracy. 83 We hold that based upon the evidence a rational trier of fact could indeed find that Morgan knowingly participated in a conspiracy with Avery by agreeing to distribute cocaine. First, Morgan and Avery had an ongoing business relationship (Morgan referred to their bizness in telephone conversations and in fact transacted with Avery on numerous occasions). Second, Morgan and Avery benefitted from one another in a cooperative relationship. Avery benefitted from Morgan's resale in at least two ways: (1) he was often paid only after Morgan resold the cocaine; and (2) he was able to sell more cocaine after Morgan depleted his stock. Morgan benefitted from Avery's acts also in at least two ways: (1) upon Morgan's request Avery agreed to resolve quality control problems that interfered with the smooth functioning of Morgan's resale operations; and (2) Morgan was able to take the cocaine on credit. This cooperation between the two suggested that they were working together to achieve a common goal--the distribution of cocaine to end users. Finally, Morgan was purchasing ounce quantities of cocaine, an amount that is consistent with resale. For these reasons we affirm Morgan's conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.