Opinion ID: 510995
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Single Conspiracy Versus Multiple Conspiracies

Text: 5 The defendants contend the evidence established multiple conspiracies when only a single conspiracy was charged and that they were prejudiced by this variance. The defendants also argue the district court committed error by refusing to instruct the jury on multiple conspiracies. In determining whether the evidence established a single conspiracy or multiple conspiracies, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to upholding the jury verdict. See United States v. Lee, 782 F.2d 133, 134 (8th Cir.1986); United States v. Towers, 775 F.2d 184, 189 (7th Cir.1985). We must decide whether the record contained evidence from which the jury could have found one overall agreement to commit an illegal act--here, the distribution of drugs. See Lee, 782 F.2d at 134. 6 According to the defendants, the testimony of Frank Noble's nephew, DeWitt, established a conspiracy separate from the single conspiracy charged. Noble, the supplier for Miller's drug operation, furnished DeWitt with drugs for sale and distribution. DeWitt then sold the drugs from a house owned by Noble. DeWitt eventually stopped selling drugs, and Noble sold the house to Miller. 7 The defendants stress that DeWitt was unable to identify Miller at the trial and may not have known the other defendants with the exception of Noble. Nevertheless, DeWitt was aware of Miller and did not have to be personally acquainted with Miller or the other defendants in order to participate in the single conspiracy. See United States v. Massa, 740 F.2d 629, 636 (8th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 471 U.S. 1115, 105 S.Ct. 2357, 86 L.Ed.2d 258 (1985); United States v. Brewer, 630 F.2d 795, 799-800 (10th Cir.1980). We have carefully considered the record, and we conclude that Noble and DeWitt were not involved in a conspiracy separate from the single conspiracy charged. 8 The defendants also argue that separate and distinct conspiracies were established by the early criminal activities of Miller and Vincent Beauregard. At the trial, the Government introduced evidence of Miller's drug-related activities in the late 1960s, which included several arrests. Additionally, the Government presented evidence that in late 1969 and early 1970 police twice investigated a St. Louis residence for narcotics. Beauregard was present and arrested both times. The record, however, contains no evidence to show these activities constituted separate conspiracies. Rather, the incidents were only isolated criminal acts that were unrelated to each other. 9 Finally, Noble and Beauregard contend the evidence established separate conspiracies between Miller and each of them. We disagree. Noble, as the supplier to this large operation, and Beauregard, as a member of Miller's selling entourage, knowingly contributed to the single, ongoing drug conspiracy. See Massa, 740 F.2d at 636; see also Brewer, 630 F.2d at 799-800. The evidence does not support a finding of separate conspiracies here. 10 Although various defendants entered the conspiracy at different times and performed different functions, the conspiracy had one criminal objective: to sell large quantities of methamphetamine or other drugs. This type of enterprise, by its very nature, is a loosely knit organization, Brewer, 630 F.2d at 799, and a jury may find a defendant guilty of conspiracy even if that defendant plays only a minor role in the total scheme, United States v. Lee, 743 F.2d 1240, 1250 (8th Cir.1984). The evidence established a single conspiracy, and thus, the district court did not commit error by refusing to give a multiple conspiracy instruction. See United States v. Kirk, 534 F.2d 1262, 1269 (8th Cir.1976), cert. denied, 433 U.S. 907, 97 S.Ct. 2971, 53 L.Ed.2d 1091, 430 U.S. 906, 97 S.Ct. 1174, 51 L.Ed.2d 581 (1977); see also Towers, 775 F.2d at 189. 11 Similarly, because the evidence established a single conspiracy, we conclude the district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the defendants' motions to sever. In general, the individuals  'charged in a conspiracy should be tried together, particularly whe[n] proof of the charges against the defendants is based upon the same evidence and acts.'  United States v. Garcia, 785 F.2d 214, 220 (8th Cir.) (quoting Lee, 743 F.2d at 1248), cert. denied, 475 U.S. 1143, 106 S.Ct. 1797, 90 L.Ed.2d 342 (1986). Although several defendants claim the evidence against them was slight compared to the evidence against the other defendants, the [d]istrict [c]ourt was not required to sever defendants    simply because the evidence may have been more damaging against one [defendant] than the others. Id.