Opinion ID: 1373591
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: We now turn to Plenty Chief's argument that insufficient evidence exists to support his convictions on all three counts. We review the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a conviction in the light most favorable to the Government and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the jury's verdict. United States v. Lohnes, 554 F.3d 1166, 1168 (8th Cir.2009) (internal quotations and citations omitted). We will only reverse if we conclude that no reasonable jury could have found the accused guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 1168-69 (internal quotations and citations omitted). The crux of [Plenty Chief's] argument is that the evidence was insufficient because the government's case consisted solely of testimony from [T.Q. and T.Q.'s sister]. United States v. Fuller, 557 F.3d 859, 863 (8th Cir.2009). Plenty Chief contends that reversal is warranted because no corroborating evidence supported [T.Q. and her sister's testimony]. Id. He also argues that T.Q.'s motive was suspect, given that Plenty Chief and her mother, Quinn, were in the process of a divorce. But the jury was fully apprised of the witnesses' backgrounds and potential motives, and it was the jury's prerogative to decide whether to credit the testimony. Id. It is the sole province of the jury to weigh the credibility of a witness. United States v. Cvijanovich, 556 F.3d 857, 863 (8th Cir.2009) (internal quotations and citation omitted). Here, the jury was permitted to credit T.Q.'s testimony and reject Plenty Chief's testimony. T.Q.'s testimony alone is sufficient to support Plenty Chief's convictions on all three counts. Count 1 charged Plenty Chief with aggravated sexual abuse pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2241(c). Section 2241(c) prohibits a person from engaging in a sexual act with a minor. A sexual act includes the penetration, however slight, of the anal or genital opening of another by a hand or finger or by any object, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. 18 U.S.C. § 2246(2)(C). T.Q. testified that, in 2004, Plenty Chief inserted his finger in her vagina and that [i]t hurted. Count 2 charged Plenty Chief with sexual abuse of a minor pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §§ 2243(a) and 2246(2). A defendant violates this statute by attempting to knowingly engage[] in a sexual act with a minor, 18 U.S.C. § 2243(a), which includes the penetration, however slight, of the anal or genital opening of another by a hand or finger or by any object, with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. 18 U.S.C. § 2246(2)(C). T.Q. testified that, in 2005, Plenty Chief once again entered her bedroom and began rubbing her thighs; she thwarted his efforts to penetrate her vagina with his finger, as he had done in 2004, by rolling away from him several times during the incident. Count 3, which also stemmed from the 2005 incident, charged Plenty Chief with abusive sexual contact. A defendant violates this statute by knowingly engag[ing] in or caus[ing] sexual contact with a minor, 18 U.S.C. § 2244(a)(3), including the intentional touching, either directly or through the clothing, of the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person with an intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, or arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. 18 U.S.C. § 2246(3). T.Q. testified that, in 2005, Plenty Chief entered her bedroom, sat on her bed, and began rubbing her thighs and chest. Based upon the evidence presented at trial, we conclude there was sufficient evidence from which a reasonable jury could find that Plenty Chief committed each of the alleged crimes.