Opinion ID: 506212
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Barrington

Text: 126 Appellant Barrington argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction under several counts. 38 127 Count 9 charged Barrington with conspiracy to import marihuana in connection with the Tye episode. We do not lightly infer a defendant's knowledge of and acquiescence in a conspiracy. United States v. Jackson, 700 F.2d 181, 185 (5th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom. Hicks v. United States, 104 S.Ct. 139, 78 L.Ed.2d 132 (1983). However, the agreement between conspirators may be silent and need not be spoken or explicit. United States v. Williams-Hendricks, 805 F.2d 496, 502 (5th Cir.1986). We have found ample record evidence showing that Barrington participated in the count 9 conspiracy by working with Goff. 128 Count 21 charges Barrington with aiding and abetting others in the possession of marihuana with intent to distribute in the course of the Granbury episode. The evidence establishes beyond any doubt Barrington's relation to certain defendants who were engaged in distribution. The evidence also links Barrington with Schoenhoff, who was also engaged in distribution. 39 129 Barrington asserts that in order to be guilty of the offense of aiding and abetting, the aiders and abetters must have assisted the principals directly, and that the guilt of the principals must be established at trial as part of the proof of the charge of aiding and abetting. This is not a correct statement of the law of aiding and abetting. It is sufficient to sustain a conviction for aiding and abetting another to commit a crime if the evidence shows that the defendant associated himself with the venture, participated in it, and acted to make it succeed. Nye & Nissen v. United States, 336 U.S. 613, 69 S.Ct. 766, 769-70, 93 L.Ed. 919 (1949); Manotas-Mejia, 824 F.2d at 367; United States v. Palacios, 556 F.2d 1359, 1364 (5th Cir.1977); 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2. Spratlen testified that he and Barrington had flown together looking for the drop site used in the Granbury venture, and that after the drop, Barrington flew over the site looking for the missing seven bags. Barrington clearly associated himself with the venture which culminated in possession by the principals here charged. 130 Barrington's brief also asserts that the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions under counts 14, 15, 16, and 20. The record does not clearly establish that Barrington traveled in interstate commerce with intent to distribute the proceeds of an unlawful activity on or about December 16, 1984, as charged in count 16. His conviction under this count must therefore be reversed. We find no doubts raised by the record as to Barrington's guilt with respect to counts 14, 15, and 20, and uphold his convictions on these counts as well as counts 9, 21, and 25.