Opinion ID: 152433
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Stephen Smith's Testimony

Text: According to Dilley, during the course of her drug operation she had two main accomplicesSmith and Daviswho each received a quarter pound or more of methamphetamine a day from her. Smith acknowledged that at the time of his testimony he was serving a federal sentence for methamphetamine charges and hoped to receive a sentence reduction in exchange for testifying. Smith further testified that he had four recent felony convictions and a conviction for making a false report. Smith agreed that for the past eight years, other than when he was in prison, he was a methamphetamine user. Smith testified that he was introduced to a person named Sabino through Dilley. According to Smith, he first obtained two ounces of drugs and then later a quarter pound of methamphetamine on three separate occasions from Sabino. Smith testified that after Sabino was arrested in 2006, Smith began receiving drugs from Dilley, who received them from Sabino's nephews, including Frausto. Smith stated that he saw Dilley and her associates at the 3010 U Street house and described it as the nephews' house. According to Smith, the drugs came from the trailer at 19 New Boulevard in Council Bluffs. Smith stole property to trade for drugs and brought the stolen property to 3010 U Street. According to Smith, he received an ounce of methamphetamine for a Honda dirt bike, and Dilley received two ounces for a Raptor four-wheeler. During this time period Smith obtained a pound-and-a-half to two pounds of methamphetamine a week from Dilley. Smith merely accompanied Dilley to obtain her drugs at the trailer at 19 New Boulevard. Smith would remain outside the trailer while Dilley would enter for 15 to 30 minutes and exit with methamphetamine. Smith recognized Frausto and believed that he had first seen Frausto at the 3010 U Street house. Smith never witnessed Dilley pay Frausto any money. Smith testified that Frausto was present at every drug deal. Smith did not speak Spanish and Frausto did not speak English, so Smith never conducted any narcotics transactions with Frausto. Based on this evidence, a jury convicted Frausto of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture. At sentencing the district court determined Frausto's total offense level to be 38 and assigned a criminal history category II, establishing a Guideline range of 262 to 327 months' imprisonment. The district court sentenced him to 240 months' imprisonment.