Opinion ID: 318307
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Validity of Two Conspiracy Convictions

Text: 68 Appellants Tantillo and Verderosa were convicted on count 1 of the indictment charging conspiracy under 26 U.S.C. 4705(a), 7237(b) and on count 2 of the indictment charging conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. 174. They contend that Braverman v. United States, 317 U.S. 49, 63 S.Ct. 99, 87 L.Ed. 23 (1942), precludes their conviction and sentencing on both counts because, although the object of the conspiracy may have been the violation of two different statutes, there was proof of but one conspiracy. 69 In the Braverman case, the defendants were convicted under section 37 of the Criminal Code of conspiracy to violate numerous provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Each count of the multi-count indictment referred to a separate Revenue Code provision, and the defendants received consecutive sentences on each count for conspiracy to violate each provision of the Revenue Code. The conspiracy itself was proscirbed under the all-encompassing federal conspiracy statute, the predecessor of 18 U.S.C. 371. The Court reversed: 70 Since the single continuing agreement, which is the conspiracy here, thus embraces its criminal objects, it differs from successive acts which violate a single penal statute and from a single act which violates two statutes. The single agreement is the prohibited conspiracy, and however diverse its objects it violates but a single statute, 37 of the Criminal Code. For such a violation only the single penalty prescribed by the statute can be imposed. 71 317 U.S. at 54, 63 S.Ct. at 102. 72 In the present case the defendants were convicted of the violation of two separate and distinct conspiracy statutes. The government argues that this distinguishes the Braverman case, and the Supreme Court has so held. In American Tobacco Co. v. United States, 328 U.S. 781, 787-788, 66 S.Ct. 1125, 90 L.Ed. 1575 (1946), the Supreme Court addressed the argument that separate convictions for conspiring to restrain trade and conspiring to monopolize trade, in violation of two sections of the Sherman Act 'amount to double jeopardy, or to a multiplicity of punishment . . ..' The Court stated: 73 On the authority of the Braverman case, petitioners claim that there is but one conspiracy, namely, a conspiracy to fix prices. In contrast to the single conspiracy described in that case in separate counts, all charged under the general conspiracy statute, 37, Criminal Code, 35 Stat. 1096, 18 U.S.C. 88, we have here separate statutory offenses, one a conspiracy in restraint of trade . . . and the other a conspiracy to monoplize . . .. One is made criminal by 1 (of the Sherman Act) and the other by 2 of the Sherman Act. 328 U.S. at 788, 66 S.Ct. at 1128. This interpretation of the meaning of the Braverman decision is consistent with the view of the commentators. See Annot., 87 L.Ed. 29, 37-39 (1943); 1 Anderson, Wharton's Criminal Law and Procedure 83, at 180 (1957). Where, as in this case, two specific conspiracy statutes are involved, a defendant may properly be convicted under both. Accordingly we reject the contention of Tantillo and Verderosa. 6 D. Rulings On Evidence 74 Tantillo and Verderosa challenge the admission in evidence of a three-party telephone conversation between Jackson, a 'collection agent' of the enterprise named Rudy, and a delinquent purchaser named Buster. In the course of the conversation, to stimulate Buster to pay for the drugs he had received, Jackson threatened him with death or serious injury. Jackson also complained that Buster's failure to pay was jeopardizing Jackson's life because when 'them Guineas get to shooting, they don't shoot at you . . .. 'Cause I'm da one dats takin all da weight.' (Tel. Tr. 377). The appellants claim that these statements by Jackson were not made in furtherance of the conspiracy, and prejudiced them by characterizing them as potential murderers. We think however that the statements were admissible. A criminal conspiracy continues until the objects for which it was formed have been accomplished. Since one object of this conspiracy was illicit gain-- the collection of money in exchange for drugs-- it embraced the means ordinarily employed to accomplish that intended result. Cf. McDonald v. United States, 89 F.2d 128, 133-134 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 301 U.S. 697, 57 S.Ct. 925, 81 L.Ed. 1352, rehearing denied, 302 U.S. 773, 58 S.Ct. 4, 82 L.Ed. 599 (1937), rehearing denied, 325 U.S. 892, 65 S.Ct. 1181, 89 L.Ed. 2004 (1944). A fair inference, grounded in common sense, was that the means of collection eontemplated and sometimes used by the conspirators would not be those employed in normal commercial transactions. As the Second Circuit observed with respect to an analogous contention in United States v. Bynum, 485 F.2d 490, 499 (2d Cir. 1973): 'We are not dealing with minor league addicted street pushers but with well-financed brazen professionals engaged in a largescale criminal undertaking in which corruption and violence are endemic.' 7 75