Opinion ID: 150486
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficiency of the evidenceConspiracy

Text: The Sweeneys also challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting their convictions on the conspiracy count. To prove conspiracy under [18 U.S.C.] § 371, the Government must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the [defendants] knowingly `entered into an agreement or reached an understanding to commit a crime,' and that at least one of the [defendants] `overtly acted in furtherance of the agreement.' United States v. Farrell, 563 F.3d 364, 376 (8th Cir.2009) (quoting United States v. Bertling, 510 F.3d 804, 808 (8th Cir.2007)). Using a special verdict form, the jury found that Mr. Sweeney conspired with Quade, Paquette, Kramer, and Mrs. Sweeney and that Mrs. Sweeney conspired with Mr. Sweeney. As before, we examine this issue de novo, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, and we will not reverse if any reasonable jury could have found the defendants guilty. Pliego, 578 F.3d at 941. The Sweeneys argue that there was no conspiratorial agreement, so there was no conspiracy, or at least no conspiracy they agreed to join. See United States v. Lopez-Arce, 267 F.3d 775, 781 (8th Cir. 2001) (The essence of the crime of conspiracy is the `agreement to commit an unlawful act.' (quoting Iannelli v. United States, 420 U.S. 770, 777, 95 S.Ct. 1284, 43 L.Ed.2d 616 (1975))). Mr. Sweeney contends that his relationship with Kramer, Quade, and Paquette was merely a buyer-seller relationship, not a conspiracy. See United States v. Pizano, 421 F.3d 707, 719 (8th Cir.2005) (Mere proof of a buyer-seller agreement without any prior or contemporaneous understanding does not support a conspiracy conviction because there is no common illegal purpose: `In such circumstances, the buyer's purpose is to buy; the seller's purpose is to sell.' (quoting United States v. Prieskorn, 658 F.2d 631, 634 (8th Cir.1981))). However, Mr. Sweeney offers little argument about whether the evidence showed an agreement with Mrs. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney contends that her involvement in Micro-Star's operations was simply too limited to show a conspiratorial agreement with Mr. Sweeney. There is ample evidence to support the jury's finding that the Sweeneys formed an agreement with each other and therefore to support their convictions. A formal agreement is not required to create a conspiracy, and the existence of a conspiracy can be proved by direct or circumstantial evidence. United States v. Williams, 534 F.3d 980, 985 (8th Cir.2008). Jon and Michelle Sweeney jointly operated Micro-Star; indeed the company was originally named J & M Fulfillment. Mr. Sweeney's deep involvement in Micro-Star is undisputed. While Mrs. Sweeney points to evidence, such as her family commitments, suggesting that she had very limited opportunity to participate in Micro-Star's operations, the testimony of Mertes and others undermines her claims. In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, `we must not weigh the evidence or assess the credibility of witnesses.' United States v. Littlewind, 595 F.3d 876, 882 (8th Cir.2010) (quoting United States v. Raplinger, 555 F.3d 687, 693 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 557 U.S. ___, 129 S.Ct. 2814, 174 L.Ed.2d 308 (2009)). Mertes testified that Mrs. Sweeney recruited her to work at Micro-Star. Several witnesses testified that Mrs. Sweeney spent time assembling descramblers, preparing them for shipping, and preparing billing. At times, Mrs. Sweeney paid Micro-Star employees. Thus, while Mrs. Sweeney can point to other testimony that could support a finding that she played a somewhat limited role in the manufacturing and distributing of descramblers, there is sufficient evidence for a jury to conclude that she and Mr. Sweeney entered a conspiratorial agreement with the illegal purpose of assisting in the unauthorized interception of cable signals. We therefore affirm the Sweeneys' conspiracy convictions. [4]