Opinion ID: 2997059
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Macedo contends that the government failed to present sufficient evidence to support his conviction on all three charges in the indictment. On appeal, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution and will reverse a jury verdict only when the record “is devoid of any evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which a jury could find the defendant[] guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Hernandez, 330 F.3d at 976 (citing United States v. Johnson, 26 F.3d 669, 684 (7th Cir. 1994)). While a sufficiency of the evidence claim is not untenable on appeal, it is nevertheless a steep hill to climb. Id. (citing United States v. Frazier, 213 F.3d 409, 416 (7th Cir. 2000)). In essence, Macedo takes issue with the propriety of relying on coconspirator testimony to support his convictions. He argues that Maldonado and Mendez’s testimony was conflicting, inconsistent and biased, and absent the testimony, there is no evidence linking him to this conspiracy beyond his mere presence at the airport. However, the conflicts or inconsistencies Macedo highlights are immaterial.11 With regard to Maldonado and Mendez’s potential (...continued) phetamine. 11 For example, he points to discrepancies between Mendez’s grand jury testimony, where he stated that he was to receive the full $1500 from Contreras and Macedo in the United States, with his in court testimony, where he stated that he was to be paid in two installments of $750. He also suggests Maldonado’s testimony (continued...) 14 Nos. 02-3563, 02-3564 & 02-3842 bias, this court has held that “[u]nless testimony is inherently unbelievable, a guilty verdict may be based on the testimony of a coconspirator testifying pursuant to a plea agreement: Credibility is for the jury, not this court to determine.” United States v. Jewel, 947 F.2d 224, 231 (7th Cir. 1991) (internal quotations and citations omitted). Reviewing the record, we do not find that Maldonado and Mendez’s testimony was “inherently unbelievable.” Id. Quite the contrary, it was corroborated by the direct evidence presented at trial. The government recovered Mendez’s methamphetamine-laden shoes from the motel room rented by Macedo. Agents observed the meeting between the four men on January 20, 2001, the day of the arrest. Agent Michael Heene witnessed Maldonado place a call to Contreras and Macedo which led to the meeting at O’Hare Airport. Accordingly, we will not disregard the testimony of his coconspirators. Taking all the evidence presented to the jury into account, it had ample evidence to support its guilty verdict on all three charges in the indictment. To sustain a conspiracy conviction, the government must prove that “two or more persons joined together for the purpose of committing a criminal act and that the charged party knew of and intended to join the agreement.” United States v. Adkins, 274 F.3d 444, 450 (7th Cir. 2001). Further, a jury is not limited to direct evidence (though here the record contains a plethora) and may “find an agreement to conspire based upon circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences drawn [from] the relationship of the parties, their overt (...continued) is unreliable given Maldonado’s statements to the grand jury that he exchanged the methamphetamine-laden shoes in Contreras’s car as compared to direct testimony where he stated the exchange occurred in Contreras’s home. Nos. 02-3563, 02-3564 & 02-3842 15 acts, and the totality of their conduct.” United States v. Turner, 93 F.3d 276, 282 (7th Cir. 1996) (quoting United States v. Mojica, 984 F.2d 1426, 1432 (7th Cir. 1993)). The jury heard the following evidence: (1) Macedo traveled to the airport to pick up Mendez and Maldonado; (2) Macedo paid for the new shoes Mendez exchanged for the shoes containing the drugs; (3) he paid for the motel room from which the drugs were subsequently recovered; (4) he told Maldonado that he would purchase his return ticket to Mexico; and (5) his cellular phone number was given to both coconspirators. See United States v. Gutierrez, 978 F.2d 1463, 1469 (7th Cir. 1992) (“[A] single act will suffice if the circumstances permit the inference that the presence or act was intended to advance the ends of the conspiracy.”). Thus, Macedo’s involvement traversed the line from mere presence to participant. See United States v. Albarran, 233 F.3d 972, 977 (7th Cir. 2000) (reasoning that a government need only prove a “participatory link” between the defendant and the conspiracy). The jury had sufficient evidence to find that Macedo knew of and intended to enter into an agreement with Contreras, Maldonado and Mendez to engage in the criminal act of importing methamphetamine. The evidence also supports the jury’s verdict with regard to Macedo’s possession with intent to distribute and attempted possession charges. Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), the government must prove that Macedo (1) knowingly or intentionally possessed the methamphetamine, (2) possessed it with the intent to distribute it, and (3) knew that methamphetamine was a controlled substance. United States v. Griffin, 194 F.3d 808, 816 (7th Cir. 1999). Mendez testified that upon his arrival in the United States, he gave the shoes containing the methamphetamine to Macedo who determined it was safer to leave the shoes in the motel room which Macedo secured. Thus, the jury could have reasonably found that Macedo actually possessed the drugs, as well as constructively possessed them. See United States 16 Nos. 02-3563, 02-3564 & 02-3842 v. Perlaza, 818 F.2d 1354, 1360 (7th Cir. 1987) (finding that evidence of registration and control over a hotel room containing drugs may be sufficient to find constructive possession of drugs); see also United States v. Garrett, 903 F.2d 1105, 1112 (7th Cir. 1990) (holding that constructive possession is sufficient to sustain a conviction under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1)). Furthermore, the jury could have reasonably found that Macedo intended to distribute the methamphetamine based on the large quantity seized and the testimony of his coconspirators.