Opinion ID: 815103
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Intrinsic or Extrinsic Evidence

Text: Big Eagle argues the district court erred in determining evidence relating to uncharged bribery activity was “intrinsic” to the charged conspiracy and therefore admissible notwithstanding the government’s failure to give Big Eagle pretrial notice of its intent to use this evidence. Under Rule 404(b), the government may, in certain circumstances, introduce evidence of “crimes, wrongs, or other acts” committed by the defendant. Rule 404(b) requires the government to provide the defendant with pretrial notice of the “general nature” of such evidence the government intends to use at trial. See United States v. Clarke, 564 F.3d 949, 957 (8th Cir. 2009). However, “‘where evidence of another crime is so intertwined with the offense of conviction that proof of one incidentally -9- involves the other or explains the circumstances of the other, it is . . . not governed by Rule 404(b).’” Shores, 700 F.3d at 371 (quoting United States v. Molina, 172 F.3d 1048, 1055 (8th Cir. 1999)). This evidence is admissible because it “completes the story or provides a total picture of the charged crime.” United States v. Johnson, 463 F.3d 803, 808 (8th Cir. 2006) (quoting United States v. Forcelle, 86 F.3d 838, 842 (8th Cir. 1996)) (internal quotation marks omitted). We considered “intrinsic” evidence of a kickback operation in Johnson, 463 F.3d at 805, 808. Johnson, a state social services worker, fraudulently issued public assistance checks to unqualified individuals in exchange for kickbacks. See id. at 805-06. The government charged Johnson with mail fraud relating to three fraudulent transactions, but the government produced evidence of numerous other fraudulent transactions. See id. at 806-07. Johnson argued the evidence was not admissible under Rule 404(b). See id. at 807. We rejected Johnson’s argument, finding the evidence intrinsic to the conspiracy because it was necessary to establish Johnson’s motive to issue fraudulent checks and therefore was an “inextricable part of the government’s case.” Id. at 808. The instant case is similar to Johnson. The government alleged Big Eagle conspired to receive kickbacks from Bauman and Kutz, and the testimony of Raue and McClatchey regarding other kickbacks was necessary to explain the relationship, motives, and scheme among Big Eagle, Raue, the other council members, and the contractors making kickback payments. It is neither “clear” nor “obvious” the district court erred in admitting this evidence in light of Johnson. Cf. Troyer, 677 F.3d at 358. Big Eagle fails to establish plain error.