Opinion ID: 76057
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether the evidence supported the one conspiracy alleged in the indictment

Text: 5 All of the defendants argue on appeal that the evidence presented at trial showed the existence of at least two separate conspiracies — one of which existed between Ruiz and Murillo, with no involvement on the part of the defendants — rather than the single conspiracy charged in the indictment. 6 Reversal is warranted if a single conspiracy is charged in the indictment but multiple conspiracies are proven at trial, and if the variance was material and substantially prejudiced the defendants. United States v. Alred, 144 F.3d 1405, 1414 (11th Cir.1998). The arguable existence of multiple conspiracies, however, does not constitute a material variance from the indictment if, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a rational trier of fact could have found that a single conspiracy existed beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. To determine whether a jury could have found that a single conspiracy existed, this Court reviews (1) whether a common goal existed, (2) the nature of the underlying scheme, and (3) whether the participants of the alleged multiple schemes overlapped. See United States v. Calderon, 127 F.3d 1314, 1327 (11th Cir.1997). 7 In this case, the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the government, showed that a common goal existed to transport large shipments of cocaine into the country and distribute them. The nature of the underlying scheme was for Ruiz, and possibly F. Suarez and O. Suarez, to arrange for the cocaine to be smuggled into Texas from Mexico, to stash it in a hidden compartment built by Murillo in Sicard's house, and then to distribute it throughout the country using vehicles equipped with stashes constructed by Murillo and Avila. The evidence indicates that Ruiz may have been the person responsible for importing the cocaine, but that for purposes of distribution, he relied on the resources of the Suarez brothers as well as on Murillo, Avila, Sicard, and the two DEA agents recruited by Murillo. Murillo testified that F. Suarez explained to him that he was lending people and equipment to Ruiz in order to transport the drugs that Ruiz had smuggled into the country. Although Murillo sometimes took direction from Ruiz, it is clear that he primarily took direction from F. Suarez, the person who originally recruited him into the drug trade. Additionally, the evidence showed that Ruiz and the Suarezes worked together, as they attended mutual meetings and had numerous telephone conversations in which they arranged to transport the drugs. F. Suarez instructed the undercover agents about the plans for transporting the drugs, advised them on how to behave while carrying the drugs, and discussed how much they would be paid. 8 The evidence established that all four codefendants were aware of the common goal of drug distribution and that their participation in the conspiracy overlapped. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable trier of fact could have determined beyond a reasonable doubt that a single conspiracy existed among all the defendants. Because the government proved the single conspiracy alleged in the indictment, the district court did not err in denying the motion for judgment of acquittal. 9