Opinion ID: 393714
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Distribution Count

Text: 18 Wilson next contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction under Count 18 for distribution of heroin. We agree. 19 Count 18 of the indictment alleges that, on or about June 29, 1978, Wilson distributed twenty-five capsules of heroin to Glen Ray Johnson, and that Larry Don Counter aided and abetted Wilson. The indictment also charges Wilson with the offense of aiding and abetting the distribution. 8 20 The evidence shows that, on June 29, 1978, Wilson accompanied Counter when Counter, not Wilson, gave Glen Ray Johnson twenty-five heroin capsules for further distribution. Wilson said and did nothing during the transaction. The evidence further shows that Wilson then assisted Johnson in selling the twenty-five heroin capsules to third parties. Johnson sold about two of the capsules, keeping the money as his share, and Wilson sold the remaining capsules. There is no evidence, however, indicating any transference of any money from Johnson to Wilson or from Wilson to Counter as a result of these sales. 21 In our view, this evidence is insufficient to establish that Wilson committed the offense, narrowly charged in Count 18, that he had distributed twenty-five heroin capsules to Johnson. The term distribute, within the meaning of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), means to deliver ... a controlled substance. 21 U.S.C. § 802(11) (1976). Deliver in this usage means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer of a controlled substance, whether or not there exists an agency relationship. 21 U.S.C. § 802(8) (1976). Since there clearly was no actual or attempted transfer of heroin by Wilson to Johnson, any delivery between these two men would have to have been constructive, with Counter having made the actual transfer to Johnson. 22 Wilson was certain to have known that the substance Counter handed to Johnson was heroin. The assistance Wilson subsequently gave to Johnson in selling the heroin to third parties indicates such knowledge. 9 Lacking in this case, however, is the type of relationship between Counter and Wilson or certain acts on Wilson's part that would support a finding of constructive distribution. Constructive distribution has been found to be established when the defendant had authority or control over the actions of the actual transferor during the transfer. See United States v. Waller, 503 F.2d 1014, 1015-16 (7th Cir. 1974), cert. denied, 420 U.S. 932, 95 S.Ct. 1137, 43 L.Ed.2d 406 (1975) (defendant instructed daughter to get bags of heroin for informant). Constructive distribution also has been found when the defendant arranges the distribution, and there is an equal or partnership relationship between the defendant and the actual transferor in the distribution, see United States v. Oquendo, 505 F.2d 1307, 1310 (5th Cir. 1975), or when there is an understanding between the defendant and the actual transferor and transferee that the transferor will act in defendant's stead if the defendant is unavailable to make the transfer himself. See United States v. Witt, 618 F.2d 283, 285 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 101 S.Ct. 234, 66 L.Ed.2d 107 (1980); United States v. Felts, 497 F.2d 80 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 1051, 95 S.Ct. 628, 42 L.Ed.2d 646 (1974). In addition, (a)ctivities in furtherance of the ultimate sale such as vouching for the quality of the drugs, negotiating for or receiving the price, and supplying or delivering the drug are sufficient to establish distribution. United States v. Wigley, 627 F.2d 224, 226 (10th Cir. 1980) (citations omitted); see also United States v. Chester, 537 F.2d 173 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1099, 97 S.Ct. 1120, 51 L.Ed.2d 548 (1977). 23 None of these arrangements or actions are involved in this case. Wilson had a working relationship with Counter to the extent that he was a street dealer for Counter, but his relationship was such that he did not have any authority or control whatsoever over Counter's actions in distributing the heroin to Johnson on this occasion. In the same vein, there was no understanding between Counter and Wilson on this occasion to the effect that Counter merely was making the delivery in Wilson's stead. Moreover, Wilson engaged in no activity in furtherance of this distribution to Johnson. He merely accompanied Counter and stood mutely by as the transfer took place. 10 His mere presence and association with Counter are insufficient to establish that he distributed the heroin. See United States v. Harold, 531 F.2d 704, 705-06 (5th Cir. 1976); United States v. Horton, 488 F.2d 374, 381-82 (5th Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 416 U.S. 993, 94 S.Ct. 2405, 40 L.Ed.2d 772 (1974); United States v. Duff, 332 F.2d 702, 708 (6th Cir. 1964). The evidence demonstrates that Wilson in effect had neither actual nor constructive possession of the twenty-five heroin capsules Counter distributed to Johnson. As a matter of logic, a conviction for distribution cannot stand unless there is first possession with intent to distribute. United States v. Zule, 581 F.2d 1218, 1221 (5th Cir. 1978) (citing United States v. Littrell, 574 F.2d 828 (5th Cir. 1978)). 24 Neither can Wilson's conviction on Count 18 be sustained upon the theory that he aided and abetted in this particular episode involving the distribution of heroin. Although Wilson was indicted under 18 U.S.C. § 2 for aiding and abetting the offense under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), as well as for commission of the distribution offense, the district court gave no jury instruction on aiding and abetting in connection with Wilson. Wilson's conviction on Count 18 therefore cannot rest upon this theory. United States v. Maspero, 496 F.2d 1354, 1359 (5th Cir. 1974). We also may not uphold Wilson's Count 18 conviction upon the Pinkerton theory, Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640, 66 S.Ct. 1180, 90 L.Ed. 1489 (1946), which holds that the acts of one coconspirator may be attributed as a substantive offense to another coconspirator even without the latter's knowledge. United States v. Michel, 588 F.2d 986, 999 (5th Cir. 1979). The jury was not charged on the Pinkerton theory. United States v. Maspero, 496 F.2d at 1359 n. 4. 25 We accordingly reverse Wilson's conviction on Count 18 for distribution of heroin.