Opinion ID: 3038558
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: the defendant was a member of the same con-

Text: spiracy at the time of the offense charged in Count 1 was committed; and 5. the offense fell within the scope of the unlawful agreement and could reasonably have been fore- seen to be a necessary or natural consequence of the unlawful agreement. Noriega and Ruiz were convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute meth and possession of firearms in furUNITED STATES v. RUIZ 10489 therance of drug crimes. The jury found that the quantity of meth involved was “500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and/or 50 grams of methamphetamine.” Noriega and Ruiz each requested role adjustment decreases, which were denied by the district court. The Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) recommended a base offense level of 38 for each defendant, predicated upon possession of 8.4 kilograms of actual meth. The report also recommended an obstruction of justice enhancement for Ruiz, based on his escape prior to entering the jail. The district court adopted the recommendations of the PSR and sentenced Noriega and Ruiz to 295 months’ imprisonment and 352 months’ imprisonment, respectively. These appeals followed.