Opinion ID: 25905
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Faulk's Enhancement as an Organizer or Leader.

Text: 59 Faulk argues that the district court erred by finding that he was the organizer or leader of a criminal enterprise and by enhancing his sentence four levels. He argues that rather than being a leader or organizer of criminal activity he was merely a co-supplier of heroin along with Cooper. According to Faulk, he merely distributed the drugs to the codefendants, who could then resell it to anyone they wished. He contends that there was no evidence that he controlled any of the other defendants or claimed a greater percentage of the profit from the drug sales. 60 If the defendant was an organizer or leader of a criminal activity that involved five or more participants or was otherwise extensive a four-level increase is warranted. See § 3B1.1(a). In determining whether a defendant is a leader, a court should consider the following factors: the exercise of decision making authority, the nature of participation in the commission of the offense, the recruitment of accomplices, the claimed right to a larger share of the fruits of the crime, the degree of participation in planning or organizing the offense, the nature and scope of the illegal activity, and the degree of control and authority exercised over others. § 3B1.1, comment. (n.4). We review such a factual finding for clear error. United States v. Thomas, 120 F.3d 564, 574 (5th Cir. 1997). 61 Contrary to Faulk's arguments, the evidence showed that both Faulk and Cooper were the leaders and organizers of the heroin distribution. At least five participants in the criminal activity are found by looking at the codefendants: Cooper, Faulk, Green, Alexander, and Thompson. See United States v. Wilder, 15 F.3d 1292, 1299 (5th Cir. 1994) (defendant may be included among the five participants). Eberhardt testified that Claude Robinson told him the heroin bundles he received had been arranged for, purchased by, and belonged to Faulk and Cooper. Faulk and Cooper further traveled to New York to obtain heroin from Victor Castro, one of their New York suppliers. Faulk and Cooper in turn supplied Green, Alexander, and Thompson. Eberhardt testified that Thompson told him that she sold heroin on behalf of Faulk and Cooper. Thompson also signed an affidavit stating that Faulk had asked her if she wanted to sell heroin herself since she had been referring customers to him. This affidavit provides that Faulk recruited Thompson to sell for him. Moreover, Thompson's affidavit states that she received 5 packs of heroin at a time from Faulk and Green, which she then sold for approximately $1,250. Faulk allowed her to keep $150 of the sale. This arrangement shows that Faulk received a greater share of the profits. 62 Proof that the defendant supervised only one other culpable participant is sufficient to make the defendant eligible for the enhancement. See United States v. Washington, 44 F.3d 1271, 1281 (5th Cir. 1995); United States v. Okoli, 20 F.3d 615, 616 (5th Cir. 1994). There can also be more than one person who qualifies as a leader or organizer of a criminal association or conspiracy. See § 3B1.1, comment. (n.4). Given Faulk and Cooper's arrangement for the heroin deliveries, their supplying of the other defendants, Faulk's recruitment and control of Thompson, and his claim to a greater portion of profit from Thompson's sales, the district court did not err in finding that Faulk was a leader or organizer. See § 3B1.1, comment. (n.4); United States v. Ocana, 204 F.3d 585, 592 (5th Cir. 2000). 9