Opinion ID: 766923
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Indictment & Trial

Text: 10 The first superseding indictment included seven counts of violating the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act (counts 17), and two counts of conspiracy to collect a debt by extortionate means (counts 8 & 9). Count 1 charged all defendants with conspiracy to alter or remove motor vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and trafficking in certain motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, in violation of 18 U.S.C.SS 371, 511, and 2321. Counts 2 through 7 charged all defendants with trafficking in certain motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts, in violation of 18 U.S.C. S 2321. Count 9 charged Mikayelyan, Semenov, Bekaryn, and Sarkisian under 18 U.S.C. S 894 for the 1996 Glendale extortion incident. Count 8 is not at issue in this appeal. 11 Prior to trial, Sarkisian, Ivanchikov, Semenov and Mikayelyan moved the district court under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 8(b) to sever count 9, the extortion count, from the auto theft and VIN-switch counts. Based on the prosecutor's offer of proof linking the extortion count to the other counts, and on further concerns about judicial efficiency, the district court denied the motion. At the close of the government's case and again at the close of evidence, the defendants moved under Rule 14 to sever the extortion count. The district court deferred ruling on those motions until after the verdicts were returned, but ultimately denied them as well. 12 At trial, the government offered evidence of the conspiracy to traffic in stolen cars and auto parts. During the trial, a problem with two jurors arose, and they were excused by the district court. The jury ultimately convicted Mikayelyan, Sarkisian, and Semenov on all charges. Ivanchikov was convicted of counts 1-7, and Bekaryn was convicted of count 9. The district court granted new trials to Bekaryn, Sarkisian and Semenov on count 9. The district court denied the defendants' Rule 29 motions for judgments of acquittal, and Rule 14 motions for a new trial based on prejudicial joinder.