Opinion ID: 795065
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 12 We first address each defendant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conspiracy convictions. We review de novo, inquiring whether after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Washington, 434 F.3d 7, 15 (1st Cir.2006) (internal citations and marks omitted). All reasonable evidentiary inferences are to be drawn in harmony with the [jury's] verdict, and all issues of credibility are to be resolved in the light most favorable to the government. Id. (internal marks omitted). 13 To succeed at trial, the Government had to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that: (1) a conspiracy existed, (2) the defendants had knowledge of the conspiracy, and (3) the defendants voluntarily participated in the conspiracy. United States v. Lizardo, 445 F.3d 73, 81 (1st Cir.2006). Evidence to prove these elements need not be direct, but can be circumstantial. See id. To support a conviction for conspiracy each coconspirator need not know of or have contact with all other members, nor must they know all of the details of the conspiracy or participate in every act in furtherance of it. United States v. Martinez-Medina, 279 F.3d 105, 113 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 536 U.S. 932, 122 S.Ct. 2608, 153 L.Ed.2d 794 and 537 U.S. 921, 123 S.Ct. 311, 154 L.Ed.2d 210 (2002). 14 We are satisfied that the evidence was sufficient to support both of the conspiracy convictions against Santana-Rodriguez. The evidence included the recorded telephone conversations, Santana-Rodriguez's procurement of cellular telephones for use in the conspiracy, the fact that Santana-Rodriguez, knowing its illegal purpose, arranged the meeting between Agent Castro-Lugo and Peguero (which took place at Santana-Rodriguez's kiosk), as well as the testimony of the two DEA agents describing the factual events which occurred. Looking at all of the evidence, the jury could reasonably conclude that Santana-Rodriguez was aware of the drug conspiracy and chose to participate in it voluntarily. While Santana-Rodriguez offered contradictory testimony and advanced alternative reasons as to why his name may have been associated with some of the cell phones, such as testimony that Santana-Rodriguez was the victim of identity theft, it is the jury's duty ... to assess credibility, and it may accept or reject, in whole or in part, any testimony. United States v. Nishnianidze, 342 F.3d 6, 14 (1st Cir.2003), cert. denied, 540 U.S. 1132, 124 S.Ct. 1107, 157 L.Ed.2d 936 (2004). Taken in the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence of Santana-Rodriguez's participation in the drug ring was more than sufficient to support his conspiracy convictions. 15 With respect to Rodriguez-Ortiz's sufficiency of the evidence argument, we well recognize that mere presence at the scene of conspiracy activities or simple association with conspirators is not enough, standing alone, to establish participation in a conspiracy. United States v. Perez-Gonzalez, 445 F.3d 39, 49 (1st Cir. 2006). However, the Government's evidence was sufficient for a jury to find reasonably that Rodriguez-Ortiz was more than a mere bystander who found himself in the presence of drug conspirators and in the middle of two drug distribution conspiracies. The evidence showed that he transported money to the Dominican Republic and that he called the ringleader, Peguero, informing him of it, and that he provided counter-surveillance and protection for Peguero at the kiosk meeting. Together with the bundled money that was recovered from Rodriguez-Ortiz's residence, a jury could reasonably have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Rodriguez-Ortiz was an active participant in the conspiracies, acting as a bodyguard and money runner for the leader. 16 Accordingly, we reject the sufficiency of the evidence challenges to the convictions of both Santana-Rodriguez and Rodriguez-Ortiz on each count.