Opinion ID: 153893
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Improper Amendment of Indictment

Text: Meyers contends that the district court erred in denying his motion to dismiss on the grounds that the indictment was improperly amended by the proof at trial. Meyers asserts that the government presented facts at trial which were materially and substantially - 17 - different from the facts presented to the grand jury and that this variance is reversible error. A variance arises when the evidence presented at trial establishes facts which are different from those alleged in the indictment. Dunn v. United States, 442 U.S. 100, 105 (1979); United States v. Powell, 982 F.2d 1422, 1431 (10th Cir. 1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 946 (1993). However, no variance occurs when the government’s theory on which the case was tried is the same as that charged in the indictment. Dunn, 442 U.S. at 106. Moreover, even if a variance exists, we will not reverse unless the variance affects the defendant’s substantial rights. Powell, 982 F.2d at 1431; United States v. Harrison, 942 F.2d 751, 759 (10th Cir. 1991) (“variance did not affect defendant’s right to a fair trial”). Here, the indictment charged that: On or about between January, 1994, through and including November, 1994, in the District of Wyoming and elsewhere, DAVID MEYERS, MITCHELL MEYERS, and RICHARD FEDERICO, Defendants herein, and Carl Jones, did intentionally, knowingly, and unlawfully combine, conspire, confederate, and agree together, and with other persons, both known and unknown to the Grand Jury, to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C). (ROA, Vol. I, Tab 1 at 1-2). The indictment further alleged that marijuana was obtained from Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico, from Mitchell Meyers, Federico, and others at the direction of Meyers for distribution by him, id. at 2; Meyers would either personally - 18 - transport the marijuana or arrange for others to do so, id.; and Meyers introduced Jones, or made arrangements for the introduction, to Meyers’ sources of marijuana with the intent that Jones begin transporting marijuana for him. Id. at 3. This is the same theory on which the case was tried and submitted to the jury. Therefore, we hold that there was no variance between the charging indictment and the evidence established at trial. The fact that the government presented additional evidence of the existence of a middleman in the conspiracy, Recore, who was unknown to the grand jury, is immaterial. In addition, Meyers has failed to assert how any alleged variance affected a substantial right. In fact, he could not do so since he was aware at all times of the existence of Recore and Recore’s role in the alleged conspiracy. Therefore, he could not be prejudiced or denied a fair trial merely because the government uncovered another member of the conspiracy who agreed to cooperate.