Opinion ID: 1035557
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Challenge to Count 14

Text: On January 17, 2008, Galaviz wired $33,000 from Wells Fargo Account No. 1432 to BBVA Compass Account No. 1782. On or about January 23, 2008, Galaviz used those funds to purchase a $30,000 cashier’s check from Laredo National Bank. Galaviz used the cashier’s check to make the down payment on a house she purchased from Salas in Laredo’s Patron Loop neighborhood. As part of the transaction, Galaviz financed $120,000, and falsely referred to Salas 10 Case: 11-41376 Document: 00512323905 Page: 11 Date Filed: 07/29/2013 Nos. 11-41376 c/w 11-41392 as “Daniel Obregon” in the attendant documentation. Through December 2009, Galaviz made payments on the house approximating $29,000 from two BBVA Compass accounts. At that time, after less than two years had passed, Galaviz sold the house for a $140,071 profit. For the reasons stated above, Galaviz knew that the $30,000 cashier’s check was funded with drug trafficking proceeds. Accordingly, with respect to Count 13, it was reasonable for the jury to conclude that Galaviz laundered Salas’s trafficking proceeds in violation, inter alia, of 18 U.S.C. § 1957(a). On April 16, 2008, Galaviz drew a check for $48,304.31 on BBVA Compass Account No. 1782. The following day, Galaviz used the funds to purchase a lot with Salas in Laredo’s Deer Ridge neighborhood. The settlement sheet and other closing documents listed Galaviz as the “buyer,” even though Salas contributed more than two-thirds of the purchase funds. For the reasons stated above, Galaviz knew that the $48,304.31 check drew on drug trafficking proceeds. Accordingly, with respect to Count 14, it was reasonable for the jury to conclude that Galaviz laundered Salas’s trafficking proceeds in violation, inter alia, of 18 U.S.C. § 1957(a).