Opinion ID: 581538
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 6 In his first point of error, Filemon contends the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions. He claims the government failed to establish that he joined the conspiracy, had knowledge of the conspiracy, and that he voluntarily participated in the conspiracy. The sole basis of this claim is that the testimony of the government's main witness, F.B.I. case agent William J. May (agent May), as to the meaning of certain code words could just as easily have been disbelieved as believed by the jury. Because the testimony of agent May was the sole inculpatory evidence against Filemon, its susceptibility to equally different interpretations requires the reversal of the possession and telephone use convictions as well. 7 The well established standard in this circuit for reviewing a conviction allegedly based on insufficient evidence is whether a reasonable jury could find that the evidence establishes the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Gonzales, 866 F.2d 781, 783 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1093, 109 S.Ct. 2438, 104 L.Ed.2d 994 (1989). The evidence adduced at trial, whether it be direct or circumstantial, together with all inferences reasonably drawn from it, is viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict. United States v. Pigrum, 922 F.2d 249, 253 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 2064, 114 L.Ed.2d 468 (1991). The assessment of the weight of the evidence and the determination of the credibility of the witnesses is solely within the province of the jury. United States v. Martin, 790 F.2d 1215, 1219 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 868, 107 S.Ct. 231, 93 L.Ed.2d 157 (1986). If the evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution gives equal or nearly equal circumstantial support to a theory of guilt and a theory of innocence of the crime charged, this court must reverse the convictions. Clark v. Procunier, 755 F.2d 394, 396 (5th Cir.1985) (quoting Cosby v. Jones, 682 F.2d 1373, 1383 (11th Cir.1982) (as quoted in United States v. Fortenberry, 919 F.2d 923, 926 (5th Cir.1990)). This is so because, as was observed by the late Judge Alvin B. Rubin, where an equal or nearly equal theory of guilt and a theory of innocence is supported by the evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, a reasonable jury must necessarily entertain a reasonable doubt. Id. (quoting Cosby at id.). With the scope of our review thus defined, we proceed to the merits of Filemon's claims on appeal. 8 To establish guilt of a drug conspiracy, it must be proven that an agreement with intent to distribute existed, that the defendant had knowledge of the agreement, and that the defendant voluntarily participated in the conspiracy. United States v. Lewis, 902 F.2d 1176, 1180 (5th Cir.1990). An agreement may be inferred from concert of action, participation from a collocation of circumstances, and knowledge from surrounding circumstances. United States v. Espinoza-Seanez, 862 F.2d 526, 537 (5th Cir.1988). Mere presence at the scene and close association with those involved are insufficient factors alone; nevertheless, they are relevant factors for the jury. United States v. Simmons, 918 F.2d 476, 484 (5th Cir.1990). 9 The United States introduced into evidence several taped phone conversations involving Filemon and other named co-conspirators. The substance of the conversations and the meaning thereof was elaborated upon by agent May. Agent May testified that Filemon's use of certain terminology, in the context of the conversations, demonstrated Filemon's role as a principal in a large marijuana conspiracy. This testimony was predicated on agent May's characterization of specific terminology as coded terminology. These coded terms, testified agent May, represented variously marijuana, methods of transportation, the receipt of large quantities of marijuana and money to be paid for marijuana. For example, the government introduced a phone conversation between Filemon and named co-conspirator Abel Flores, intercepted on September 7, 1989. During the conversation, Filemon informs Abel Flores I've got 340 wooden boards. Two hours later, another phone conversation was intercepted between Filemon and named co-conspirator Victor Manuel Ramirez (Victor). This conversation, in part, was as follows: 10 Filemon: ... pick up [a van] because I am going to need it. It already rained ... it already rained on me. 11 Victor: Already? 12 Filemon: Yes, a lot. 13 Victor: That's good. 14 Filemon: A lot. 15 Victor: Don't leave me out. 16 Filemon: No. 17 Victor: OK. 18 Filemon: Three forty ... 19 Victor: Uyyy. 20 Filemon: ... fell on me. 21 Victor: Yeah? 22 Filemon: Yeah. 23 Victor: That's good. And it is already here? 24 Filemon: Already ... I already have it in my hands. 25 On September 9, 1989, two days after Filemon's conversation with Victor, Ivan Flores phoned Juan to inform Juan that Ivan and his brother, Abel Flores, were in El Paso at the Comfort Inn. Later that same day, Ivan Flores phoned Filemon to inform him of the presence of the Flores brothers at the Comfort Inn. On September 11, 1989, Ivan Flores was arrested at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint driving a semi-truck laden with 330.5 pounds of marijuana. On September 14, 1989, Filemon spoke with Ivan Flores' father who had called Filemon to seek assistance in the selection of an attorney for Ivan. During this conversation, Filemon mentioned that Ivan Flores was with Filemon in El Paso. That same day, a conversation between Filemon and an unidentified woman named Omega 10 revealed Filemon's frustration with the arrest of Ivan Flores at the mountain and his surprise that the Border Patrol agents appeared to have been waiting for him. This conversation, in part, was as follows: 26 Filemon: A really bad incident (percance) that happened to us, PRIMA. 27 Omega: Yeah. Oh, my God. 28 Filemon: Yes, can you believe that? What I sent over there.... 29 Omega: Eh? 30 Filemon: ... what I sent over there. 31 Omega: Uh huh. 32 Filemon: ... to hell.Omega: Oh, my God. 33 . . . . . 34 Filemon: And the worst part of it is that they were already waiting for him. 35 . . . . . 36 Omega: And was it when he was just leaving? 37 Filemon: No, over there in ... in uh ... you know where. 38 Omega: Yeah? 39 Filemon: Over there on the mountain. 40 Filemon appears to argue that because he was involved in the construction business, the reference to 340 wooden boards was just that, a reference to 340 actual wooden boards. Agent May testified that Filemon's use of the phrase 340 wooden boards was a reference to 340 pounds of marijuana. Additionally, he testified that Filemon's use of the phrase it rained on me was a reference to the receipt of marijuana and that the phrase three forty ... fell on me was a further reference to receipt of the specific amount of 340 pounds of marijuana. Further evidence, as noted above, disclosed the seizure of 330.5 pounds of marijuana being transported by Ivan Flores. Government witnesses testified that it is not uncommon for amounts of marijuana to vary by as much as 10-20 pounds, thus explaining the discrepancy of the weight of the marijuana actually seized from that discussed in the Filemon/Victor phone conversation of September 7, 1989. 11 Moreover, the Sanchez Brother's Builders, Inc., F.S. Sanchez, President business card was found in Ivan Flores' wallet. The term mountain was identified as a term commonly used to describe the area where the Sierra Blanca checkpoint was located. Finally, testimony at trial revealed that the semi-trailer pulled by the truck driven by Ivan Flores was a refrigerator trailer, not the type of trailer normally used for the transportation of construction materials; no evidence of the presence of any construction materials on the trailer was presented at trial. 41 We find the above recited facts would permit a reasonable jury to find Filemon guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the conspiracy charges against him. It appears the jury in this case simply chose to believe the testimony of agent May. Moreover, the opposing theory of innocence put forth on appeal by Filemon does not fall into the realm of what an appellate court could reasonably conclude is a theory of innocence equally or nearly equally supported by the evidence as the theory of guilt. Because agent May's testimony regarding the code words was believed by the jury, Filemon's challenge to the conviction for the violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843, illegal use of the telephone, must also fail. In addition, his challenge to the possession charge lacks merit because the essential elements thereof were proven at trial. The necessary elements to sustain a conviction for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute are that the defendant (1) knowingly (2) possessed the marijuana (3) with intent to distribute it. United States v. Villasenor, 894 F.2d 1422, 1426 (5th Cir.1990). Accepting agent May's testimony, the only colorable issues available to Filemon would be that of possession and intent to distribute. Possession may be constructive 12 if evidence indicates the defendant's ownership, dominion and control over the marijuana. United States v. Richardson, 848 F.2d 509, 512 (5th Cir.1988). Here, the evidence shows Filemon's assertion that the marijuana belongs to him, either individually or as a member of the conspiracy. Intent to distribute is typically inferred from the fact that an amount is too large for any purpose other than distribution. United States v. Romero-Reyna, 867 F.2d 834, 836 (5th Cir.1989). Again, here the amount was in excess of 300 pounds. The jury could easily have determined this amount was not for personal use and thus that Filemon intended to distribute it. Even were the issues of Filemon's constructive possession and intention to distribute not so clearly present, we would nevertheless affirm. A conspirator is liable for the substantive offenses of his co-conspirators while he is a member of the conspiracy. United States v. Garcia, 917 F.2d 1370, 1377 (5th Cir.1990) (quoting United States v. Basey, 816 F.2d 980, 997 (5th Cir.1987)); See also United States v. Sullivan, 578 F.2d 121, 122-23 (5th Cir.1978) (once conspiracy and knowing participation therein established, conspirator deemed guilty of crimes committed in furtherance of conspiracy by other conspirators). Nothing in the record indicates that the guilt of Ivan Flores for the substantive offense of possession with intent to distribute or his membership in the conspiracy was ever questioned.