Opinion ID: 77212
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ndiaye

Text: 116 Based on an adjusted offense level of 14 and criminal history category of I, Ndiaye's sentencing guideline range was 15 to 21 months. Ndiaye was sentenced to serve a term of 15 months imprisonment. He raises several issues on appeal. (1) Obstruction of Justice 117 Ndiaye's adjusted offense level included an enhancement of two levels pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 for obstruction of justice. He appeals that adjustment. Section 3C1.1 provides: 118 If (A) the defendant willfully obstructed or impeded, or attempted to obstruct or impede, the administration of justice during the course of the investigation, prosecution, or sentencing of the instant offense of conviction, and (B) the obstructive conduct related to (i) the defendant's offense of conviction and any relevant conduct; or (ii) a closely related offense, increase the offense level by 2 levels. 119 According to the presentence report, the probation officer recommended the adjustment because Ndiaye had witnesses Aida Leye and Kaire Ndao submit false affidavits stating that they did not know the Defendant. However, Leye and Ndao testified at trial that they did know the defendant and that he had them submit the fraudulent affidavits. In determining that the enhancement was appropriate, the district court found that the government has shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant not only had two witnesses to submit false affidavits, which they did acknowledge during the trial of the case, but also the defendant and his wife indirectly influenced Aida Leye to sign a false affidavit. Ndiaye contends that the district court clearly erred in applying this enhancement. 120 The Government has the burden of proving the applicability of guidelines that enhance a defendant's offense level. See United States v. Cataldo, 171 F.3d 1316, 1321 (11th Cir.1999). 121 Similarly, when a defendant challenges a factual basis of his sentence, the government has the burden of establishing the disputed fact by a preponderance of the evidence. The district court's factual findings for purposes of sentencing may be based on, among other things, evidence heard during trial, undisputed statements in the PSI, or evidence presented during the sentencing hearing. 122 United States v. Polar, 369 F.3d 1248, 1255 (11th Cir.2004) (citations and quotations omitted). 123 Ndiaye notes that the affidavits in question were prepared by defense counsel who submitted them by mail to prospective witnesses in order to determine those individuals' relationship with Ndiaye. The witnesses were first located and interviewed via telephone by defense counsel, not the Government. Defense counsel then, well in advance of trial, submitted these affidavits to the Government so as to explain the lack of a nexus between the affiants and Ndiaye. Ndiaye notes, moreover, that he did not introduce the affidavits in evidence so as to obstruct justice, nor did he use the affidavits to impeach witnesses called by the Government. It was the Government that introduced the affidavits. 124 Ndiaye alleges there was no effort by him or counsel to obtain or offer false information or to obstruct justice in any way. The witnesses reviewed the affidavits and merely filled in the blanks themselves, or did so through the aid of someone interpreting for them. Ndiaye notes that the relevant question was phrased, I know Amadou Fall Ndiaye as follows: (Please explain how you met Mr. Amadou Fall Ndiaye. If you do not know him or have never met him, please write in `do not know Amadou.'). Counsel received these affidavits after they were filled in by the prospective witnesses. Because he believed they were pertinent to his case, counsel immediately turned the affidavits over to the Government, who used the addresses and phone number provided to contact the witnesses. 125 Ndiaye alleges that neither witness ever suggested she was instructed and/or encouraged to complete the affidavit improperly. When counsel for the Government inquired of Ndao as to whether she knew who Ndiaye was, Ndao responded, I only met him the first time I came here but I really don't know him. After further questioning, it became apparent that Ndao had met Ndiaye in Atlanta when she stayed at his house. Ndao testified that no one directed her how to answer that question. 126 Ndiaye alleges that Leye, who had been hospitalized for psychiatric treatment in two separate hospitals during the week prior to her testimony, had great difficulty answering even simple questions, such as whether she could recognize the psychiatrist who was in the courtroom and who had examined her several days prior to trial. Moreover, Leye testified her mind played tricks on her and that she sometimes heard voices. Leye also stated that she was on medication for her psychiatric condition and usually forgets things. She also testified that, contrary to her affidavit, she had in fact met Ndiaye during her visit to Atlanta. 127 Ndiaye alleges that Leye's testimony was not only contrary to her affidavit, but it was also contrary to what she had also told Agent Wright when he interviewed her. Ndiaye claims there is no evidence that he engaged in any obstructive conduct or was aware that anyone else had done so. As with Ndao, Leye simply completed a form prepared by Ndiaye's counsel with an answer she later said was false, just as she made statements to the agent that she later retracted. Ndiaye never told her or directed her how to answer the question on the affidavit. 128 Ndiaye emphasizes it was the Government that introduced the affidavits. At no point did Ndiaye or counsel reference the affidavits or attempt to mislead the court or the jury during the testimony of either witness. Ndiaye contends that it is apparent the witnesses answered the questions as they did on the affidavit because of the language and cultural differences, which explains the lack of clarity as to whether the witnesses know him. Leye's answers or lack of clarity can also be explained by her obvious confusion and psychiatric difficulties. 129 Ndiaye contends it cannot be true that in any case in which a witness changes testimony or in any way testifies inconsistently with a prior statement that obstruction has occurred. Ndiaye asserts there is no evidence in the record that he suggested an answer to any question contained on the affidavit form. Assuming arguendo that obstructive conduct did occur, Ndiaye alleges that it was initiated by his wife and cannot be used to support the sentencing adjustment. 130 The Government notes that the application notes to the applicable guideline set forth a non-exhaustive list of examples of conduct to which the enhancement may apply, which includes intimidating and otherwise unlawfully influencing a witness; suborning perjury; producing or attempting to produce a false document during the course of a judicial proceeding; and providing a materially false statement to law enforcement. The Government alleges that the district court did not clearly err in finding that the government has shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant not only had two witnesses to submit false affidavits, which they did acknowledge during the trial of the case, but also the defendant and his wife indirectly influenced Aida Leye to sign a false affidavit. 131 The Government contends that prior to trial, Ndiaye argued the affidavits established that he did not know the customers whose Social Security cards were mailed to his salon. Consequently, he asked that the criminal charges against him be dismissed. However, the Government asserts that the affidavits were false and procured by Ndiaye, who contacted the witnesses and asked them to sign the false affidavits. The portions of the record cited by the Government indicate that it was Ndiaye's wife, Assane, who contacted the witnesses about the affidavits. During the trial, the district court admitted Leye's and Ndao's affidavits as evidence of prior statements that contradicted their trial testimony as to whether they knew Ndiaye. The Government claims that at trial, both witnesses testified they did know Ndiaye. However, the record also shows that there was some confusion on the part of these witnesses as to what it means to know someone. The following evidence corroborated their testimony that they both knew Ndiaye: (1) both Ndao and Leye stayed in Ndiaye's home on their trip to Atlanta to obtain fraudulent Social Security numbers; (2) Ndiaye transported Leye back and forth to the airport; and (3) both Ndao and Leye had been picked up by Fall from Ndiaye's hair salon. Moreover, both witnesses identified Ndiaye in court. Finally, Ndiaye himself told Agent Cabe that he knew both women. 132 The Government contends neither witnesses' statements in their affidavits that they did not know Ndiaye were the result of language and cultural differences, as alleged by the Appellant. The Government alleges Leye's husband, Hugo, told her to sign the affidavit stating that she did not know Ndiaye. Leye's husband is related to Ndiaye's wife. The Government claims this explains some of the pressure and stress exhibited by Leye when she was subpoenaed to testify. The Government notes that Leye testified her husband told her to sign the affidavit and the case would go away. 133 The Government also notes that Ndiaye sent Ndao an affidavit in which she falsely swore that she did not know him, when in fact she had stayed at his home when she came to Atlanta to buy her Social Security number. The Government contends that by providing false information and by unlawfully influencing two witnesses against him, Ndiaye qualified for the two-point enhancement for obstruction of justice. It is worth noting, however, that Ndao testified she was not told how to answer the question whether she knew him. 134 The Government alleges another basis for the obstruction enhancement is that Leye lied about knowing Ndiaye when interviewed by Agent Wright. According to the Government, this was a materially false statement to a law enforcement officer which significantly impeded the prosecution of the instant offense. The Government contends that Leye lied to the agent to cover up her earlier lie in the affidavit. 135 The Government next alleges that Ndiaye's attempt to intimidate and unlawfully influence Leye to not come to court to testify after she had been subpoenaed is the final basis for the obstruction of justice enhancement. This is based on testimony that Ndiaye's wife, Assane, called Leye after she was subpoenaed and told her not to testify. Ndiaye's wife allegedly told Leye, If they tell you, just say that you went to Africa. The Government notes that the commentary to the guidelines provides that in order for the enhancement to apply, attempt is sufficient and contact can be direct or indirect. See U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1, comment. n.4(a). Moreover, obstruction need not occur at trial. As the commentary provides, obstruction can occur during an official investigation. 136 The Government contends that the obstruction occurred when Ndiaye contacted Hugo and told him to have Leye execute the false affidavit. It continued when Leye felt compelled to lie to Agent Wright during investigation and preparation for trial because of the initial lie Ndiaye asked her to tell in the affidavit. The final act of obstruction was when Ndiaye's wife called and told Leye not to come to court after she was subpoenaed. The Government contends that because Ndiaye influenced two witnesses to make false statements in their affidavits, the district court did not clearly err in applying the two-level enhancement. 137 Ndiaye acknowledges that Leye and Ndao changed their affidavit answers during their testimony at trial as to whether they knew him. However, he alleges that the testimony of Ndao reveals she was not directed by anyone as to how to answer the questions on the affidavit. Moreover, Leye's testimony corroborated her answers in the affidavit that Ndiaye did not participate in assisting her with obtaining a Social Security number and card. 138 Ndiaye contends that the confusion regarding whether the witnesses knew him does not amount to obstruction of justice. Defense counsel prepared the affidavits, submitted them to the witnesses, received the completed affidavits and then turned them over to the Government before trial. Nothing in Ndiaye's behavior constituted obstruction of justice. Moreover, because the Government failed to introduce evidence that he and his wife acted in concert, Ndiaye asserts that his wife's conduct cannot be used to support the enhancement. Ndiaye contends, therefore, that the enhancement should not apply and the case should be remanded for re-sentencing. 9 139 We review a district court's finding that a defendant obstructed justice for clear error. See United States v. Singh, 335 F.3d 1321, 1323 (11th Cir.2003). Based on the evidence presented at trial and at sentencing, we conclude that the district court did not clearly err. The fact that it was the Government, and not Ndiaye, that introduced the affidavits at trial is irrelevant for purposes of the guideline's application. Section 3C1.1 applies to obstruction of justice not only at trial and during sentencing, but also during the course of the investigation. If Ndiaye instructed the witnesses to state they did not know him during the investigation, then there would be a valid basis for the two-level enhancement. 140 Even assuming the witnesses were confused by what it means to know someone, there is still a legitimate basis for the enhancement. Leye testified that she was told by her husband to sign the affidavit so the case would go away. She stated that her husband was told by Ndiaye what to do with the affidavit so that the case would go away. In determining that the adjustment was appropriate, the district court concluded that Ndiaye and his wife indirectly influenced Leye to sign the affidavit. That finding is supported by the record. 141 The district court could have also found that Ndiaye obstructed justice when his wife called Leye after she was subpoenaed and told her not to come testify. Assane Ndiaye allegedly told Leye to tell officials that she went to Africa. The application notes provide that the adjustment is appropriate for obstruction of justice which consists of threatening, intimidating, or otherwise unlawfully influencing a co-defendant, witness, or juror, directly or indirectly, or attempting to do so. U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1, comment. note 4(a). 142 We conclude that the district court did not clearly err in adjusting Ndiaye's base offense level upward two levels for obstruction of justice. 143 (2) Number of Social Security Cards 144 Ndiaye also contends that the district court erred in applying a three-level adjustment to his base offense level, pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2L2.1(b)(2)(A), based on the number of documents involved in the case. Ndiaye was held accountable for six Social Security cards. Ndiaye alleges that at most, he assisted or aided in the procuring of five documents, an amount of documentation not resulting in any upward adjustment. He notes that one of the Social Security numbers attributed to him was obtained by Matar Fall for Madjiguene Thiam. Ndiaye claims that the record establishes that Thiam had no involvement whatsoever with Thiam. Thiam never met Ndiaye or came to his place of business. She could not identify him at trial. Ndiaye asserts that the only allegation involving the Thiam Social Security number which relates to him is that it was mailed to his place of business at 185 Mitchell Street. 145 Although Ndiaye argues that he handled no more than five of the six fraudulent Social Security cards mailed to his address, Fall testified that Ndiaye procured between ten and thirteen cards, and that Ndiaye's address was listed for the six fraudulently obtained cards because it was [his] person. The district court found this testimony credible. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the district court did not clearly err in attributing more than five fraudulently obtained cards to Ndiaye.