Opinion ID: 2979243
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence Regarding Initial Meetings

Text: Dixon also argues that the district court erred by permitting the jury to hear recorded conversations from the two January meetings, as well as testimony regarding those meetings, contrary to Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). We generally review the district court’s evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. United States v. Johnson, 581 F.3d 320, 326 (6th Cir. 2009). We have consistently recognized that background or res gestae evidence does not implicate Rule 404(b). See, e.g., United States v. Hardy, 228 F.3d 745, 748 (6th Cir. 2000). Res gestae evidence “consists of those other acts that are inextricably intertwined with the charged offense or those acts, the telling of which is necessary to complete the story of the charged offense.” Id. The recordings from the January meetings are “inextricably intertwined” with the offense of attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Accordingly, the district court did not err in concluding that the evidence was admissible for a proper purpose. AFFIRMED. -6-