Opinion ID: 2982080
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Cicchetti

Text: Cicchetti argues that there was insufficient evidence to convict him on Counts 7 (assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering) and 31 (use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence) both based on the assault on Kirchoff at the Wheat & Rye Bar. As Cicchetti notes, a defendant cannot aid or abet a section 924(c) violation without knowing that a gun will be used or carried in relation to the underlying crime. See Wright v. United States, 182 F.3d 458, 465 (6th Cir. 1999). A reasonable juror could have determined that the government made this showing with respect to Cicchetti. Fitzner testified that Nagi told him that both he and Cicchetti were inside the Wheat & Rye when the shots were fired. Police officers identified Cicchetti, along with Nagi, inside a truck that was fleeing the scene. The intercepted phone calls between Nagi and his HMC - 17 - Nos. 11-1170, 11-1208, 11-1221, 11-1223, 11-1349, 11-1354 United States v. Nagi, et al. confidants confirmed that Cicchetti was an active participant in the Wheat & Rye incident. Further, given the HMC’s penchant for violence, under these circumstances, it was fair for the jury to infer that Cicchetti was aware of and encouraged this particular use of a firearm. In his statement to the police, Kirchoff stated that “a group of about ten people busted in” and he immediately started being hit from all sides. Following the attack, Kirchoff visited Bo Moore and told him, “Your boys shot at me; they jumped me and hit me with beer bottles and stuff.” It was within reason for the jury to infer, based on the evidence presented, that Cicchetti was one of those who “busted in” and began hitting Kirchoff with bottles. Accordingly, Cicchetti’s conviction on Count 7 also is supported by sufficient evidence. Cicchetti also argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his convictions based on Counts 2 (RICO conspiracy) and 19 (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute less than one kilogram of cocaine). As to the RICO conspiracy, he contends that there was no evidence that he had a leadership role in the HMC enterprise or that he was involved in the affairs of the enterprise. The record contains ample evidence, however, from which a jury could have found the elements of the crime satisfied. First, “RICO liability is not limited to those with primary responsibility for the enterprise’s affairs.” Ouwinga v. Benistar 419 Plan Servs., Inc., 694 F.3d 783, 791-92 (6th Cir. 2012). Rather, the defendant need only have participated in the management or operation of the enterprise. Id. at 792. Cicchetti’s management role can be inferred based on his membership in the “committee,” as well as his two tenures as Detroit Chapter President. There was ample evidence that he was involved in the affairs of the enterprise, including that of his involvement in the assault on Kirchoff, as well as his using and selling drugs with other HMC members. There was also sufficient - 18 - Nos. 11-1170, 11-1208, 11-1221, 11-1223, 11-1349, 11-1354 United States v. Nagi, et al. evidence from which the jury could have concluded that Cicchetti agreed that someone would commit at least two of the predicate racketeering acts alleged in the indictment. Testimony from Burnett and Burton regarding Cicchetti’s drug use and sales in connection to the HMC supports the conclusion that he conspired to distribute controlled substances, as alleged in Racketeering Act 11. Further, Burton testified that he distributed cocaine to Cicchetti and that he saw Cicchetti in possession of and using cocaine. Based on this testimony, the jury reasonably could have inferred that Cicchetti agreed that Burton, among others, would distribute cocaine, as alleged in Racketeering Act 9. Peters testified that Cicchetti bought a lot of drugs from him and that he would sell enough to pay for them. Additionally, wiretapped phone conversations between Cicchetti and Nagi were presented, in which the two discussed cocaine. This evidence would have allowed the jury to conclude that Cicchetti agreed to the conspiracy to distribute controlled substances alleged in Racketeering Act 11. Based on the testimony of Nat Sanchez and Lou Fitzner, the jury also reasonably could have concluded that Cicchetti agreed that HMC members would beat and rob members of the Liberty Riders Motorcycle Club, as alleged in Racketeering Act 7. For the reasons already discussed, there is sufficient evidence to support the jury’s finding that Cicchetti is guilty of Count 19, involving less than one kilogram of cocaine.