Opinion ID: 77212
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: (1) Conspiracy 86 Both Ndiaye and Sumbodo argue that the evidence was insufficient to support their convictions on the conspiracy count. Ndiaye contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction on Count One for conspiracy to commit identification document fraud and Social Security fraud. Ndiaye moved both prior to the defense case and at the close of evidence for a judgment of acquittal pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29. In both instances, his motion was denied. Sumbodo's motions under Rule 29 were also denied. Sumbodo contends that the evidence did not support a conviction on Count One, which alleged that he conspired with the co-defendants to encourage and induce aliens to enter and reside in the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv). 87 In order to obtain a conviction for conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 371, the Government must prove (1) that an agreement existed between two or more persons to commit a crime; (2) that the defendant knowingly and voluntarily joined or participated in the conspiracy; and (3) a conspirator performed an overt act in furtherance of the agreement. See United States v. Ellington, 348 F.3d 984, 989 (11th Cir.2003). The knowledge requirement is satisfied when the Government shows a defendant's awareness of the essential nature of the conspiracy. See United States v. Lluesma, 45 F.3d 408, 410 (11th Cir.1995). A conviction for conspiracy may be obtained via circumstantial evidence. See United States v. Chandler, 388 F.3d 796, 806 (11th Cir.2004). While viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, we must determine whether a reasonable finder of fact could conclude that the Appellants were guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. See United States v. Williamson, 339 F.3d 1295, 1299 (11th Cir.2003). Because the jury is free to choose among reasonable constructions of the evidence, the evidence may be sufficient even if it is not entirely inconsistent with conclusions other than guilt. See United States v. Rudisill, 187 F.3d 1260, 1267 (11th Cir.1999). 88 Ndiaye contends the Government never proved that he joined the conspiracy. He alleges that the Government's evidence was contradictory and unreliable. Other than Matar Fall, no witness related that he had given any money to Ndiaye. Moreover, there was no evidence that Ndiaye participated in any phone calls with the alleged recipients of the documents at the time the documents were being transferred. He had never filled out any forms or delivered any relevant documentation. The only evidence connecting Ndiaye to the conspiracy was provided by Fall, and Ndiaye alleges that he would have been impeached if not for the court's erroneous evidentiary rulings. Consequently, Ndiaye contends there was insufficient evidence to convict him of conspiracy. 89 As for his conspiracy conviction, Sumbodo contends that the Government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he acted with knowledge and criminal intent in performing the acts used to support his convictions. Sumbodo asserts that the only witness to present evidence that he acted with knowledge and/or criminal intent was Sasikin. Sumbodo alleges that Sasikin was thoroughly impeached by the self-serving nature of his testimony, his conviction for a lesser offense, his contradictions with other witnesses (including Fall), his hostility toward Sumbodo, and his failure to remember important details. Specifically, Sasikin could not remember any details about the false visa Sumbodo allegedly showed him that was to be submitted with an application for a Social Security card. Sasikin could not recall, for example, the name of the applicant, the source of the false visa, or any other details about the false visa. 90 Sumbodo claims that if Fall and other Government witnesses such as Alexis Anin were telling the truth, then Sasikin's testimony had to be false. Fall and Anin testified that Fall put false visas in sealed envelopes with the Social Security applications on the same day that the applications were submitted. The applicants were told to keep the documents sealed until they were submitted to Celestine Huger at the Social Security office. The documents were then returned immediately to Fall, who removed the false visas, to ensure that the applicants and others such as Sumbodo would not know about the false documents. Sumbodo alleges that other Government witnesses, including individuals such as Robert Soeryanto who referred applicants in the same manner as Sasikin, were unaware of any false documents. Sumbodo contends, therefore, that his conspiracy conviction must be reversed because it cannot be based on contradictory and uncorroborated testimony which was impeached by other Government witnesses. 91 Regarding the Appellants' conspiracy convictions, the Government alleges that their arguments are mainly with the jury's decision to believe particular witnesses. Ndiaye argues that Matar Fall should not be believed; Sumbodo contends that Sasikin should not be believed. The Government contends this is a credibility determination that the jury is entitled to make. Moreover, the jury was presented with documentary evidence pertaining to knowledge and criminal intent. 92 In his reply brief, Sumbodo alleges that the Government relies exclusively on the thoroughly impeached testimony of Sasikin that Sumbodo eventually learned about the forged documents. He asserts that Sasikin's testimony was vague, incredible and largely contradicted by other Government witnesses. Sumbodo further claims that Sasikin could not give any details as to when Sumbodo became aware about the forged documents. Sumbodo asserts that even if Sasikin's testimony was credible, it was so vague that no jury could determine that Sumbodo acquired guilty knowledge during the conspiracy. Because he never kept any false documents during the conspiracy, moreover, it is more likely that Sumbodo discovered the false documents abandoned by Matar Fall after the conspiracy ended. 8 Sumbodo contends, therefore, that because there was no evidence he knew of the conspiracy or that he acted with criminal intent during the conspiracy, it can only be presumed that Sumbodo discovered the false documents evidencing Fall's scheme after the conspiracy ended. 93 From our review of the record, we conclude that the evidence is sufficient to show that Ndiaye had knowledge of and participated in a conspiracy to commit identification fraud and Social Security fraud. Fall testified that Ndiaye referred up to thirteen customers to him. He testified that the number of customers referred by Ndiaye was at least ten. The testimony is somewhat confusing on this point but it appears that based on these referrals, Fall stated that six of the Social Security cards were mailed to Ndiaye's business address at 185 Mitchell Street, and at least four cards were sent to other addresses in Atlanta. Fall also testified that he sometimes picked up customers that Ndiaye referred from the hair braiding shop at 185 Mitchell. Ndiaye would also sometimes hand Fall the customer's money and passport while at the shop. 94 One customer, Kaire Ndao, also testified that she stayed with Ndiaye and his wife, Assane, on two occasions and was also twice picked up by Fall from Ndiaye's place of business and taken to the Social Security office. Another customer, Aida Leye, testified that the Ndiayes picked her up from the airport and that she stayed with them. Leye testified that Assane Ndiaye introduced her to Fall at the hair braiding shop at 185 Mitchell Street. Amadou Ndiaye was also present at that time. Leye testified that Fall then took her to the Social Security office. 95 We conclude that while the evidence against Ndiaye was not overwhelming, there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find that Ndiaye was guilty of conspiracy. The jury obviously found Matar Fall to be credible, and credibility determinations are for a jury to make. See United States v. Andrews, 953 F.2d 1312, 1318 (11th Cir.1992). 96 We also find that a reasonable jury could have found Sumbodo guilty of conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt. It is true, as Sumbodo contends, that the strongest evidence he acted with knowledge of the conspiracy and with criminal intent is the testimony of Sasikin. Sumbodo has pointed to several problems with Sasikin's testimony. Sasikin testified that Sumbodo told him that Fall, the Boss, made fake visas that the customers submitted with their Social Security applications, and which were later removed from the customers' passports. Sasikin also testified that Sumbodo showed him one of the fake visas inside a customer's passport along with the genuine visa. 97 The Government claims that Sasikin's testimony was corroborated by other customers of Sumbodo, who testified that they knew their immigration status had expired, or that they did not obtain permission from immigration authorities to live and work in the United States. This testimony is evidence that Sumbodo was aware that the Social Security numbers were obtained with fraudulent immigration documents. Sumbodo's former roommate, Nugraha Wibisana, also testified that Sumbodo helped him illegally obtain a Social Security card. Wibisana also testified that Sumbodo told him to use the fraudulent I-94 card when he went to obtain a Georgia State Identification card. This is further evidence that Sumbodo acted with knowledge and intent during the conspiracy. 98 The evidence that Sumbodo knowingly and voluntarily joined the conspiracy may not be overwhelming, but it is sufficient to support the jury's guilty verdict on the conspiracy charge. The jury obviously chose to believe Sasikin and other witnesses. This testimony may have been inconsistent with some of the other evidence, but we have no reason to question the jury's credibility determinations. (2) Count Twenty 99 Sumbodo next contends there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction on Count Twenty, which specifically alleges that he encouraged and induced one specific alien, I.N.S.A.J., to reside in the United States by helping him fraudulently obtain a Social Security number. Sumbodo claims that I.N.S.A.J. was not identified by name in the indictment, he did not testify at trial, and there was no testimony about him. 100 Sumbodo also contends the evidence failed to prove that he encouraged or induced aliens to reside in the United States, as alleged in both Counts One and Twenty. He asserts that the Government failed to show any actual, potential or perceived relationship between immigration status and receipt of a Social Security number. While many aliens used Social Security numbers to secure employment while residing in the United States, those aliens had already entered the country. A Social Security card did not change anyone's status, and there was no evidence that anyone was induced to live here by obtaining such a card. Sumbodo contends that the use of Social Security numbers to secure employment does not constitute an encouragement or inducement to enter and reside in the United States, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv). Otherwise, any effort to assist an alien in living a better life during the alien's residence in this country would constitute a violation. Sumbodo alleges that the criminal statute must be strictly construed. 101 As for Sumbodo's conviction under § 1324, the Government contends that its evidence established that immigration status was directly tied to an alien's ability to lawfully obtain a Social Security number. In order to establish a criminal violation of § 1324(a), the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (1) encouraged or induced the alien to reside in the United States (2) knowing or in reckless disregard that the alien's residence in the United States was in violation of the law. The Government contends that a reasonable trier of fact, when choosing among reasonable constructions of the evidence, could have found Sumbodo guilty of encouraging and inducing an alien to remain unlawfully in the United States when he fraudulently obtained a Social Security number for that alien. The Government further alleges that Nathan Holmes, a Social Security Administration official who testified as an expert witness, confirmed that the Social Security Administration would not issue a Social Security number if it knew that information on the immigration documents — such as the I-94 submitted in support of the application — was false. This testimony was corroborated by Agent Cabe. Although the Social Security numbers connected to this scheme were fraudulently obtained, therefore, they were accepted by prospective employers and used by aliens to obtain work. 102 The Government further notes that some alien customers testified they obtained Social Security numbers to facilitate their continuing residence in the United States. These individuals used the fraudulently obtained numbers for employment purposes. Some customers also testified they needed a Social Security number to get an apartment. 103 Regarding Sumbodo's argument there was no testimony at trial about the specific alien, I.N.S.A.J., with whom he was charged in Count Twenty of the indictment with encouraging and inducing to reside in the United States, the Government contends that an alien who obtained a card, Anantarisna, identified I Nyoman Surya Agus Jaya as his roommate. Jaya's application for a Social Security number was identified by Agent Cabe with Sumbodo's home address listed on it. There was also testimony that Jaya's immigration classification status did not entitle him to live and work in the United States or obtain a Social Security card. The Government notes, however, there was evidence that Jaya did work in the United States with the Social Security number he was issued. 104 Based on the foregoing, the Government alleges that a jury could reasonably have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Sumbodo was guilty of encouraging and inducing Jaya to reside in the United States in violation of the law by assisting him in obtaining a Social Security number, to which he was not entitled. There was sufficient evidence to establish that Jaya used the Social Security number so that he could remain and work in the United States. Accordingly, the Government contends that the jury's verdict finding that Sumbodo was guilty on Count Twenty was supported by sufficient evidence. 105 Sumbodo alleges that while there may be some correlation between the issuance of Social Security numbers and aliens employed in the United States, the act of merely helping someone obtain a Social Security number cannot be construed as encouraging or inducing them to reside in this country in violation of the criminal statute. He contends, therefore, that the Government's creative argument should fail. Sumbodo notes that the Social Security cards obtained in this case were marked with the words, VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH INS AUTHORIZATION. Consequently, he claims the Social Security numbers had absolutely no effect on any alien's immigration status. 106 We conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Sumbodo's conviction on Count Twenty. The applicable portion of the statute provides for criminal liability for any person who encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter, or reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law. 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv). Sumbodo may not have encouraged or induced an alien to come to come to or enter the United States, but a jury could have found that he encouraged or induced an alien, namely Jaya, to reside in the United States, knowing it was in violation of the law. This violates the plain language of the statute. 107 Jaya was able to work in the United States because of the Social Security number he was issued. A jury could find that Sumbodo's assistance in helping Jaya obtain a Social Security card, which the evidence established he is not entitled to have, encouraged or induced him to reside in this country in violation of the statute. 108 In United States v. Oloyede, 982 F.2d 133, 135(4th Cir.1992), one of the issues was whether a conviction under § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv) was appropriate for a scheme which involved the falsifying of documents for citizenship applications, when those activities were directed solely to illegal aliens already residing in the United States. The Fourth Circuit observed that the scheme would allow those who received the fraudulent documents to obtain the benefits of citizenship, one of which was that they could work in this country without fear of detection and deportation. See id. at 137. It determined, therefore, that [t]he selling of fraudulent documents and immigration papers under these circumstances constitutes `encourages' as that word is used in the statute. See id. We agree with the Fourth Circuit's analysis, which is consistent with the plain language of the statute. 109 It is also worth noting that there is Eleventh Circuit authority which refers to a conviction for encouraging and inducing aliens to reside in the United States, in violation of § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv), for conduct similar to that which is present in this case. In United States v. Kuku, 129 F.3d 1435, 1437 (11th Cir.1997), as part of conspiracy in which Social Security cards were unlawfully produced and sold to illegal aliens, the defendant had been convicted of encouraging and inducing aliens to reside in the United States, in violation of § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv). The defendant, an employee of the Social Security Administration, would approve Social Security card applications for illegal aliens so that they could obtain employment, attend school or receive government benefits. See id. at 1436-37. Although the propriety of the conviction was not at issue in Kuku, this Court has implicitly recognized that conduct which involved helping an illegal alien obtain a Social Security card to which he was not entitled so that he could work and live in this country was sufficient to support a conviction under § 1324(a)(1)(A)(iv). 110 We conclude that the jury's verdict finding Sumbodo guilty on Count Twenty was supported by substantial evidence.