Opinion ID: 556611
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The evidence of a prior narcotics conviction.

Text: 20 Mickens contends that the district court erred in admitting evidence, pursuant to Fed.R.Evid. 404(b), of Mickens' prior involvement in narcotics activity, including his 1983 conviction for possessing and selling cocaine. Defendant-appellant Kearney also argues that the court improperly admitted evidence that she visited Mickens while he was serving his prison term for the 1983 conviction. We reject both challenges. 21 Applying the standards discussed above, we hold that this evidence was properly admitted under Rule 404(b). Mickens' prior involvement in narcotics activity was relevant to the prosecution's tax evasion and money laundering theory that narcotics sales provided the cash which Mickens spent so lavishly. In addition, Kearney's visits to Mickens while he was incarcerated were relevant to the second element of the money laundering charge, i.e., that Kearney knew that the laundered funds derived from an unlawful source. The district court's judgment that the probative value of this evidence was not substantially outweighed by its potential prejudicial effect was not an abuse of discretion. See United States v. Smith, 727 F.2d 214, 220 (2d Cir.1984); United States v. Birney, 686 F.2d 102, 106 (2d Cir.1982). Moreover, the court provided a limiting instruction to the jury, informing them of the appropriate use of this evidence. See United States v. Ortiz, 857 F.2d at 903. 22