Opinion ID: 25905
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Amount of Heroin Attributable to the Appellants

Text: 19 All four appellants argue that the district court erred in finding that one kilogram of heroin was involved in the conspiracy. Under the sentencing guidelines, the base offense level for a defendant convicted of a drug offense is determined based on the amount of drugs involved. See U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(a)(3). The quantity includes the drugs for which the defendant is directly responsible and the drugs that can be attributed to him in a conspiracy as relevant conduct. See § 1B1.3(a)(1). A district court's factual determination of a defendant's relevant conduct for sentencing purposes is reviewed for clear error. See United States v. Schorovsky, 202 F.3d 727, 729 (5th Cir. 2000); United States v. Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d 929, 942 (5th Cir. 1994). A factual finding is clearly erroneous 'when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.' United States v. Hill, 42 F.3d 914, 918 (5th Cir. 1995)(citation omitted). A factual finding is not clearly erroneous if it is plausible in light of the record read as a whole. Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d at 943.
20 Cooper's only argument on appeal is that the district court was clearly erroneous in its finding that one kilogram of heroin was involved in the conspiracy. Cooper concedes that Eberhardt's testimony was well-founded as to 745.5 grams of heroin. He asserts that the testimony was dubious and/or speculative as to the remaining amounts up to one kilogram. Cooper contests the 32.5 grams that were seized from the package addressed to Lionel Greer, arguing that although Greer said the heroin was intended for the St. Thomas housing project, he could not provide any names. Cooper further argues that the 100 grams seized from Warren Woody in New York was unreasonably linked to the conspiracy based only on the fact that Woody possessed a bus ticket to New Orleans when he was arrested. He further challenges the remaining 192 grams of heroin on the basis that Eberhardt's testimony was unverifiable conjecture. Finally, Cooper argues that nothing in the record supports Eberhardt's testimony concerning the packaging of the heroin that shows such packaging was unique to this conspiracy. 21 Ordinarily, a PSR bears sufficient indicia of reliability to be considered as evidence by the sentencing judge when making factual determinations. See United States v. Narviz-Guerra, 148 F.3d 530, 537 (5th Cir. 1998). The district court may adopt the facts contained in the PSR without further inquiry if the facts have an adequate evidentiary basis and the defendant does not present rebuttal evidence. See United States v. Alford, 142 F.3d 825, 832 (5th Cir. 1998). Although he cross-examined Eberhardt, Cooper presented no rebuttal evidence to the PSR's calculation based on one kilogram of heroin. In addition to the PSR, however, the district court had the benefit of an affidavit and live testimony from Eberhardt concerning the investigation into the Faulk and Cooper organization. 22 The evidence was sufficient to link the 32.5 grams of heroin addressed to Lionel Greer to this conspiracy. First, Greer admitted to Eberhardt that the heroin was meant to be distributed in St. Thomas. Despite Cooper's assertion that Greer could not provide any names, Eberhardt's testimony was that Greer did not specifically name anyone. Eberhardt testified, however, that the package was sent from a New York address that had been targeted as part of the investigation into the present conspiracy. He also testified that he knew Greer to be involved in the conspiracy to an extent. Finally, the heroin was packaged in wax paper with the telltale 911 and Amazing stamped on it, which Eberhardt testified was unique to this conspiracy. Eberhardt testified that heroin sold in other parts of the city was packaged in foil, rather than wax paper, and that the packaging helps identify the group to which it belongs. 23 As for the 100 grams of heroin seized from Woody, Eberhardt testified that he had identified Woody as Cooper and Faulk's main New York supplier. Woody was on his way to New Orleans to meet friends when he was arrested with the heroin, as evidenced by his possession of the bus ticket. The heroin also was in the same unique wax paper packaging as the heroin sold by Cooper and Faulk. 24 It is true, as intimated by Cooper, that heroin packaged in wax paper conceivably could have been destined for others in New Orleans. Cooper's argument would be stronger if the packaging was the only link between the heroin and this conspiracy. However, when the heroin also originates from people who are identified as Cooper and Faulk's main supplier (Woody) and as being involved in the conspiracy (Greer), it is not implausible that the heroin was meant for Cooper and Faulk. Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d at 942. There is no clear error in the district court's finding. 25 As for the remaining amounts of heroin, Eberhardt testified that he spent numerous hours of surveillance observing the members of the conspiracy engaged in heroin transactions. He received daily reports from confidential informants concerning the drug activity of the defendants. He arranged for a confidential informant to make purchases directly from each of the defendants, which totaled approximately 13.6 grams. He further participated in numerous traffic stops of individuals who had just purchased between two and three bundles of heroin from the defendants. Eberhardt testified that the traffic stops would easily bring the total amount of heroin to near 1,000 [grams], if not over. Finally, Eberhardt testified that his calculation of the amounts seized from the various sources used a very, very conservative estimate of .5 grams per bundle and that one kilogram was a conservative estimate of the total amount for the conspiracy from November 1996 to May 1999. 26 A district court may consider 'estimates of the quantity of drugs for sentencing purposes.' Alford, 142 F.3d at 832 (quoting United States v. Sherrod, 964 F.2d 1501, 1508 (5th Cir. 1992)). Eberhardt made clear that his numbers were estimates and that they were on the conservative side. The district judge stated that she believe[d] the agent's estimate. See also Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d at 943 (upholding drug quantity finding where district court explicitly stated that it relied not only on the PSR but also the testimony from the witness stand). As such, Cooper has not shown clear error in the district court's finding that one kilogram of heroin was attributable to the conspiracy.
27 Faulk asserts that the district court erroneously used one kilogram as the amount of drugs involved rather than the 13.6 grams of heroin admitted in the factual basis. Faulk argues that Eberhardt's testimony that Faulk and Cooper were the main suppliers was based on uncorroborated hearsay by informants. He contends that Eberhardt's testimony concerning the quantity of heroin is therefore speculative. 28 A district court has wide discretion in determining which evidence to consider and to credit for sentencing purposes. See United States v. Davis, 76 F.3d 82, 84 (5th Cir. 1996). The defendant bears the burden of showing that the information relied upon by the district court is materially untrue. Id. As outlined above with respect to Cooper, the district court did not err in determining the amount heroin to be one kilogram.
29 Green also argues that the district court erred in determining that one kilogram of heroin was attributable to the defendants. Green asserts that Eberhardt failed to testify directly that the amount of heroin was one kilogram and merely agreed with a leading question from the prosecutor. Green's argument is unavailing. As noted in detail above with respect to Cooper, Eberhardt's testimony was extensive concerning the amounts of heroin involved. The district court also had the benefit of Eberhardt's affidavit, which likewise stated that the amount involved was at least one kilogram.
30 Alexander argues that the district court erred in attributing one kilogram of heroin to him because: (1) the evidence was insufficient to prove the amount was one kilogram, as the PSR's calculation was founded on a factual basis agreed to by the other defendants who were more culpable and more involved in the conspiracy; 1 (2) his role in the conspiracy was limited in that he was incarcerated on unrelated charges prior to October 30, 1996 and reincarcerated in1998, and thus could not be held responsible for amounts of heroin involved while he was in prison; (3) the government's evidence showed he was involved in only one transaction involving 4.2 grams of heroin; and (4) he presented evidence showing that he had withdrawn from the conspiracy. In the district court, Alexander challenged the amount of drugs involved in the conspiracy and presented evidence at an evidentiary hearing in an attempt to rebut the PSR's findings with respect to the amount of drugs attributable specifically to him. 31 It is well established that relevant conduct under the sentencing guidelines includes all reasonably foreseeable acts of coconspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy. See § 1B1.3(a)(1)(B). Nonetheless, the reasonable foreseeability of all drug sales does not automatically follow from membership in the conspiracy. United States v. Wilson,116 F.3d 1066, 1077 (5th Cir. 1997), vacated in part sub. nom. United States v. Brown, 123 F.3d 213 (5th Cir.1997) (en banc). 2 To determine a defendant's sentence for participation in a drug conspiracy, the district court must make the following findings: (1) when the defendant joined the conspiracy; (2) the quantities of drugs that were within the scope of the agreement; and (3) the quantities the defendant could reasonably foresee being distributed by the conspiracy. Id. at 1076. 32 The conspiracy count (to which Alexander pleaded guilty) alleged that the conspiracy began at a time unknown, but prior to in or about November 1996, and continuing through the filing of this indictment, which occurred on May 21, 1999. It is undisputed that Alexander was released from prison in October of 1996. He was reincarcerated sometime in 1998. 3 At the evidentiary hearing, Eberhardt testified that the first time he was able to corroborate Alexander's involvement in the conspiracy through his confidential informant was on April 24, 1997. On cross examination, Agent Eberhardt admitted that he could only prove that [Alexander] distributed heroin on one occasion. Eberhardt was referring to the 4.2 grams of heroin he witnessed Alexander sell on May 7, 1997. That conduct formed the basis of the distribution count in the indictment to which Alexander pleaded guilty. Eberhardt further testified that, as compared to codefendant Ernest Green, Alexander was not a regular selling drugs on the corner. 33 Additionally, in an affidavit, Eberhardt provided that during his investigation he interviewed codefendant Thompson, who stated that she had personal knowledge of Alexander selling heroin for Faulk and Cooper. Eberhardt's affidavit further provided that he interviewed Daryl Fisher, a heroin dealer who worked for Green, and Fisher stated that he had personal knowledge that Faulk, Cooper, Green, and Alexander were all involved in the distribution of heroin. 34 In rebuttal, Alexander called as a witness Richard Krumm, who had been the general manager of a New Orleans restaurant called Metro Bistro. Krumm testified that Alexander worked as a dishwasher at the Metro Bistro at least 30 to 40 hours a week from October of 1997 until May of 1998. Business records were also introduced that corroborated this testimony. In contrast, the evidence at the hearing and in the PSR indicates that the other defendants were not gainfully employed. 35 Alexander also called as a witness Reverend Torin Sanders, who was a pastor at the Sixth Baptist Church in New Orleans. Reverend Sanders testified that Alexander became an active member in late 1996 after being released from prison. Alexander was involved in the drug ministry and attended meetings on Monday nights and also attended Reverend Sanders' monthly service at the parish prison. Alexander stopped attending in March or April of 1997 and became active again in the ministry in the summer of 1998. 36 After hearing this evidence, the district court issued a statement of reasons for imposing sentence, which provided in part as follows: 37 Defendant objects to the finding that the readily provable amount attributable to the conspiracy for sentencing purposes is one kilogram. Defendant has objected to the quantity of heroin attributed to him. Defendant asserts that the amount of one kilogram was a negotiated weight for sentencing purposes for other defendants who played greater roles in the conspiracy and were members of the conspiracy for longer periods of time. Defendant states that his role was limited in time and activity, as shown by the fact that he was incarcerated until October 26, 1996, and further, that the government's evidence reveals that he was observed during only a single transaction on May 7, 1997. 38 Pursuant to the evidence adduced at the defendant's evidentiary hearing and the affidavit of Special Agent Eberhardt, the Court finds that defendant Alexander could foresee the sale of at least one kilogram of heroin by the conspiracy. The Court finds sufficient evidence in support of Alexander's participation in the drug conspiracy, to which Alexander plead guilty, for the period between his release from custody in October 1996, and his reincarceration in May, 1998, such that Alexander could reasonably foresee the sale of at least one kilogram of heroin in connection with the joint criminal activities of the Faulk conspiracy. In addition, the Court finds that defendant's involvement in drug ministry and/or full-time employment does not preclude his involvement in the Faulk drug conspiracy. 39 In short, the district court expressly considered Alexander's arguments and evidence but nevertheless concluded that he participated in the conspiracy from October of 1996 through May of 1998 and based on that participation, could have reasonably foreseen the sale of at least one kilogram. 40 Our review of the evidence indicates that Alexander certainly was not as involved in the conspiracy as Faulk, Cooper, or even Green. The evidence indicates that Faulk and Cooper received a greater share of the profits and were in charge of the organization. Also, Alexander's evidence regarding his employment and drug ministry participation tends to limit his role in the conspiracy and the scope of his agreement. The district court, however, considered that evidence and expressly found that Alexander's involvement in the drug ministry and his full time employment did not preclude his involvement in the conspiracy. 41 Additionally, we are mindful that a district court should consider whether a defendant's incarceration limited the foreseeability of any of the transactions that occurred after the defendant is incarcerated. Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d at 945. Again, however, the district court expressly took into consideration the time period in which Alexander was incarcerated. 42 Under the above described circumstances, the district court's finding is plausible in light of the record as a whole. Therefore, we do not believe that the district court's finding is clearly erroneous. 43