Opinion ID: 673830
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Sustain Butler's Conviction

Text: 56 Butler, who was sentenced to a term of life imprisonment for violating 21 U.S.C. Sec. 848, challenges the sufficiency of the evidence sustaining that conviction. When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we examine the evidence in the light most favorable to the government. United States v. Patterson, 886 F.2d 217, 218 (8th Cir.1989). [T]he government is given the benefit of any reasonable inferences drawn from the evidence. Id. 57 To establish a violation of Sec. 848, the government must prove a felony violation of the narcotics laws that is part of a continuing series of violations in concert with at least five other individuals over which the defendant has a management or supervisory position and the receipt of substantial income from the enterprise. United States v. Roley, 893 F.2d 992, 993 n. 3 (8th Cir.1990). Butler contends that the government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was a supervisor, manager, or organizer of at least five individuals. We disagree. 58 The management element of Sec. 848 is liberally construed. United States v. Montanye, 962 F.2d 1332, 1344 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 418, 121 L.Ed.2d 341 (1992). The government's burden is to prove that Butler's influence over another individual caused that individual to obey his instructions, directions, or terms. Id. Among other evidence, the government offered proof that Butler recruited Mitchell; supplied drugs to Mitchell, Skeete, Williams, Cleveland Johnson, and Harris; leased the crack house; and collected the cash from the drug sales. In light of this evidence, we hold that a reasonable jury could have found that Butler was an organizer, supervisor, or manager of this group of individuals.