Opinion ID: 16301
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alberto Gonzalez

Text: Alberto Gonzalez argues that the mere presence of the two-way radio in his Suburban does not suffice to establish conspiracy; he also claims he was busy that night driving for his limousine service. The government's theory of the case was that Alberto Gonzalez was the smuggler conducting surveillance of the Hebbronville checkpoint. Because the two-way radio did not have the range to reach Hebbronville from Laredo, the government theorized that Alberto Gonzalez called in his reports on the cellular phone that was in his car. He spoke with René, who then relayed these communications on to Hipolito and Gerardo. In addition to the presence of the radio, Alberto's initial attempt to flee from the police supports a finding of guilt. And the fact that he was driving in the wee hours in the vicinity of the Hebbronville checkpointSSwhen we know that someone was updating his brother René on the status of the checkpoint at that timeSSis further support 9 for the jury verdict. This evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the government, was sufficient to support Alberto's convictions.