Opinion ID: 516174
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Distribution and Possession Counts

Text: 23 Aiello asserts that none of the counts raised in this appeal show that he participated in those particular transactions, either as a principal or as an aider and abettor. Rather, Aiello urges that the evidence, at most, suggests that he withdrew from the enterprise, leaving Giusto on his own with Gambina as the supplier. This argument is unpersuasive. 24 To convict a defendant under a theory of aiding and abetting the commission of a crime (Counts 2-5, 7, 9 and 12), 2 the government must prove: (1) [the] commission of the underlying crime, (2) by a person other than the defendant, (3) a voluntary act or omission by the person charged as an aider and abettor, with (4) the specific intent that his act or omission bring about the underlying crime, United States v. Wiley, 846 F.2d 150, 154 (2d Cir.1988) (quoting United States v. Zambrano, 776 F.2d 1091, 1097 (2d Cir.1985)). To prove the third and fourth elements, however, the evidence need only demonstrate that the person charged joined the venture, shared in it, and that his efforts contributed towards its success, id.; see also United States v. Perry, 643 F.2d 38, 46 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 835, 102 S.Ct. 138, 70 L.Ed.2d 115 (1981). Whereas the evidence here may not have shown that Aiello participated in every phase of the criminal venture, United States v. Ciambrone, 787 F.2d 799, 809 (2d Cir.) (quoting United States v. Diecidue, 603 F.2d 535, 557 (5th Cir.1979), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 946, 100 S.Ct. 1345, 63 L.Ed.2d 781 (1980)), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1017, 107 S.Ct. 668, 93 L.Ed.2d 720 (1986), or that he was the supplier on each and every one of the occasions charged, Aiello Br. at 30, it certainly was sufficient, when viewed in the light most favorable to the government, United States v. Martino, 759 F.2d 998, 1002 (2d Cir.1985); see Wiley, 846 F.2d at 153, to support his convictions based on aiding and abetting. 25 Indeed, there is extensive evidence of Aiello's participation in the operation. Aiello owned the locations out of which the drug contacts and sales were made. In earlier years he handled the drug dealings himself and would help settle disputes concerning the transactions. Giusto, who was involved directly in all the charged sales (save possibly for the sale charged in Count 3), admitted to Ford that Aiello was his boss and that the drugs were and would be Tony's. Giusto and Gambina often conferred with Aiello, and immediately after the drug sales on March 6, 1984 and October 30, 1984, drove directly to Caffe Aiello, where on the latter date they met with Aiello. Further, there is no indication in the record that Palmer denied Aiello's involvement when told by Ford on October 30, 1984 and November 5, 1984 that he would contact Aiello directly. In fact, Palmer called the cafe on October 30th, presumably to warn Aiello. Thus, while the evidence may not suggest that Aiello participated directly in each possession and distribution violation subject of his appeal, certainly any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, Wiley, 846 F.2d at 153 (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) (emphasis in original)). 26 Under a theory of constructive possession, Aiello's conviction on Count 8, the unconsummated sale, also is supported by substantial evidence, id. (quoting Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 469, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942)). Aiello owned the pizzeria, was in charge of the workers, and instituted and controlled the drug activity. Because [c]onstructive possession exists when a person ... knowingly has the power and the intention at a given time to exercise dominion and control over an object, which may be proved by direct or circumstantial evidence, United States v. Tribunella, 749 F.2d 104, 111-12 (2d Cir.1984) (quoting United States v. Craven, 478 F.2d 1329, 1333 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 414 U.S. 866, 94 S.Ct. 54, 38 L.Ed.2d 85 (1973)), the jury properly found Aiello guilty on this count.