Opinion ID: 371266
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 24 Defendant next claims that the evidence was not sufficient to convict him of the conspiracy charges. Specifically, defendant contends that there is no direct evidence that he knew that any of the individuals in the house were illegal aliens or that he was otherwise aware of any criminal activity. 25 It is not necessary to prove directly that a defendant knows of the existence of criminal acts in order to convict him of conspiracy. Such knowledge can be inferred from the defendant's actions and other circumstantial evidence in the case as a whole, United States v. Young, 573 F.2d 1137 (9th Cir. 1978), and a conspiracy conviction will be sustained even if the defendant's connection to the conspiracy is slight. United States v. Dunn,564 F.2d 348, 357 (9th Cir. 1977). 26 In the present case, the defendant was observed bringing food into the garage and driving persons away from the drop house in his van. These acts could reasonably be construed by a jury as acts in furtherance of the conspiracy. Furthermore, the jury could justly conclude that defendant had knowledge that illegal aliens were being transported, particularly in light of codefendant Irene Perez' arrest for transporting illegal aliens in defendant's car.