Opinion ID: 739313
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Ruben Gallegos

Text: 20 Appellant Gallegos was a part owner of the Truck Center of El Paso along with his brother, Art Gallegos, and Eduardo Gonzalez. According to the government's theory of the case, Gallegos's role in the organization consisted primarily of providing vehicles for the shipment of marijuana and cocaine, as well as constructing false fuel tanks that were used to store contraband during its transportation. Gallegos had the distinction of being the only appellant who was the subject of testimony by both of the government's star witnesses, Felipe Madrid, Jr. and Randall Bowers. 21 Bowers testified that he transported some false fuel tanks that were constructed in California to El Paso and gave them to Gallegos. When Bowers delivered the tanks, Gallegos told him that some of the other tanks used by the organization for smuggling had leaks in them. Gallegos knew this to be the case because he had tested the tanks with water and the tanks leaked. Gallegos expressed concern both that diesel fuel was leaking from the tanks onto the pavement and that fuel was entering into the compartment that stored contraband. Despite this quality control concern, Gallegos accepted the tanks from Bowers. 22 On another occasion, Bowers picked up a load of cocaine from Avelino Gil's house. Bowers met with Avelino and Norma Gil while waiting for his truck to be loaded. During the ensuing discussion, Gallegos entered the room and announced that it was ready. Bowers testified that he understood this statement to mean that the altered fuel tanks were ready. Bowers also testified that when Gallegos entered, he was covered with bondo dust. Other testimony in the record established that bondo was used to seal the false fuel tanks used by the organization after the tanks were filled with contraband. 23 Madrid testified that on one or two occasions, when Gonzalez was not available, Gallegos coordinated the pick up of a load of marijuana. Moreover, Gallegos was present when Madrid (on Lied's behalf) transferred $700,000 in drug money to Gonzalez, and Gallegos saw the suitcase that contained the money. Finally, on the day that Madrid was arrested, he had a number of calling cards in his possession. The names and numbers on these cards were in code, presumably to protect the subjects' identities. Madrid testified that one of these cards contained the coded names and phone numbers corresponding to Gallegos, Gil, and Gonzalez. 24 Again, this evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Gallegos knowingly and voluntarily participated in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute narcotics.