Opinion ID: 2810258
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: A Brief Summary

Text: Based on all of Schmidt’s testimony, which to recap described multiple transactions of large-quantity cocaine, one example of fronting, two or three returns of lousy cocaine over an eleven-year period, and a burgeoning friendship between Pulgar and Schmidt, the government pieced together its conspiracy case against Pulgar. To be sure, the government introduced other evidence besides Schmidt’s testimony. It introduced recordings. It introduced the testimony of Agent Bonnet, for example. But there is no doubt that Schmidt played the leading role in the government’s case. We turn now to Pulgar’s case-in-chief, which, unsurprisingly, also relied on Schmidt’s testimony. C Trial Evidence - The Defendant’s Case-in-Chief Schmidt played an equal—if not greater—role for the defense. Indeed, he played two: slimy criminal and independent businessman. The former is straightforward. During cross-examination, Pulgar impeached Schmidt by introducing his multiple felony convictions. Schmidt’s record features four drug convictions, one firearm conviction, and one DUI conviction. Pulgar further impeached Schmidt with his prior inconsistent statements regarding fronting (recall he flipflopped on that issue) and marijuana transactions. Regarding the marijuana transactions, Schmidt initially told agents that Pulgar was his only source for marijuana (when he was not in the mood for cocaine), but he later admitted that he had other sources for marijuana. Schmidt also admitted that he enjoys marijuana so much that his email address is a shortened version of “bud sack” spelled backward. 10 No. 14-3503 Schmidt’s other role—independent businessman—is also straightforward. With considerable frequency, Schmidt offered testimony that he was his own man—a fact at odds with the alleged drug-distribution conspiracy. The following excerpt is a good example: Q. If you made $4 million or nothing, that had noth- ing to do with [Pulgar], did it? A. No. Q. That’s all on you? Your customers, your business; correct? A. Yes. Vexing the government, Schmidt did not stop there. He testified that he did not consult with Pulgar on any of his deals. He testified that once he purchased the cocaine, the task of selling it was his and his alone. He also testified that he never introduced any of his customers to Pulgar. Michael Myers, the other member of the alleged conspiracy, was Schmidt’s sole “guy.” And Myers was “totally separate and apart from anything Schmidt had going on with Pulgar.” Schmidt also testified that Pulgar did not force him to share his profits after the sales. Pulgar contends this evidence, juxtaposed against the government’s case, shows nothing more than a buyer-seller arrangement between him and Schmidt. But there is more. Sometimes evidence not introduced can be just as powerful as evidence introduced. Accordingly, Pulgar highlights the following missing pieces in the government’s case: (1) no evidence that Pulgar or Schmidt warned each other about threats to their business; (2) no evidence that Pulgar provisioned Schmidt with any cell phones, cutting agents, scales, bags for packaging, or any other tools No. 14-3503 11 or supplies to further Schmidt’s drug sales; (3) no evidence that, when Schmidt did return cocaine, Pulgar refunded his money or gave him a credit for other cocaine; and (4) no evidence that Pulgar and Schmidt were ever on the same side of a transaction. Needless to say, Pulgar contends the government’s silence on these matters is significant. With these facts in mind, we turn to the merits.