Opinion ID: 658352
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Robert Rowen

Text: 188 Count 27 charged Robert Rowen with distributing 1/2-ounce of methamphetamine on or about September 1985. The count was apparently based on grand jury testimony in October 1985 by Wendel Den Hartog, the alleged recipient of the methamphetamine. The only evidence in support of this count at trial, however, was Den Hartog's testimony that he received 1/4-ounce to 2 ounces of methamphetamine from Rowen every week to two weeks from late 1983 to the fall of 1986. Rowen argues that the lack of evidence regarding any specific transaction during September 1985 requires reversal of the count 27 conviction. 189 The jury was instructed that the government was not required to prove the precise dates or quantities charged in the indictment, but only a date reasonably near the date alleged or a substantially similar quantity. See United States v. Auerbach, 913 F.2d 407, 414 (7th Cir.1990) (evidence was sufficient for marijuana possession conviction despite variance between dates alleged in indictment and proved at trial). A rational juror who believed Den Hartog's testimony reasonably could have inferred that the transaction took place as alleged. See United States v. Lai, 944 F.2d 1434, 1440 (9th Cir.1991) (uncorroborated testimony of accomplice is enough to sustain conviction), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 112 S.Ct. 947, 117 L.Ed.2d 116 (1992).
190 Count 30 charged Rowen with possessing with the intent to distribute approximately one pound of methamphetamine on or about March 1, 1986. Rowen argues that there was insufficient evidence to tie him to the methamphetamine seized from the Wells Avenue search and to support his conviction for possession of a pound or substantially similar quantity. Our review of the record reveals sufficient evidence, even without relying on constructive possession or vicarious Pinkerton liability, to support the jury's verdict. Lorna McClary, the owner of the Wells Avenue house, testified that she had 5 to 8 ounces of Bobby [Rowen]'s methamphetamine in her house when it was burglarized in January 1986, and that Rowen replaced the lost amount with 1/2-pound of methamphetamine 10 days to two weeks later. These amounts add up to Rowen's possession of approximately one pound of methamphetamine on a date reasonably near the date alleged in the indictment. Moreover, the $6,136 in cash recovered from Rowen upon his arrest could reasonably suggest a recent sale of several additional ounces. 191