Opinion ID: 566092
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Garcia and Morales

Text: 41 All defendants made motions for judgments of acquittal pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29 at the close of the government's case, which the district court denied. However, as neither Garcia nor Morales renewed their Rule 29 motions after presenting evidence on their behalf, 19 this court will only review their claims for a manifest miscarriage of justice, i.e., to determine if  'the evidence on a key element of the offense is so tenuous that a conviction would be shocking.'  United States v. Tapia, 761 F.2d 1488, 1492 (11th Cir.1985) (quoting United States v. Landers, 484 F.2d 93, 94 (5th Cir.1973) (footnote omitted), cert. denied, 415 U.S. 924, 94 S.Ct. 1428, 39 L.Ed.2d 480 (1974)). 42 Garcia argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction on Counts 1-3, the conspiracy counts, and 10-12, regarding the second Ross and Bess venture. We disagree. 43 Although Garcia cannot be described as a major player in this game, we do not find the evidence relating to these counts so lacking as to create a manifest miscarriage of justice. A defendant may be convicted of a conspiracy even if he played only a minor role in its operation. See, e.g., United States v. Roper, 874 F.2d 782, 787 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 110 S.Ct. 189, 107 L.Ed.2d 144 (1989). In this case, the record reflects that Garcia spoke to James Wheeler and Mike Rhodes about making a marijuana run, and told them that the people in charge of the load would be coming down from Miami. These people were Sanchez and Rodriguez. There was a meeting between Sanchez, Rodriguez, Wheeler, and Rhodes at Garcia's trailer the following day where the second Ross and Bess marijuana venture was discussed. Further, Wheeler testified that the day before the Ross and Bess left port, he met another crew member, Acosta, at Garcia's trailer. 44 When this evidence is construed most favorably to the government, it shows that Garcia recruited two crew members to make a marijuana run for the organization in connection with the second Ross and Bess venture, and arranged a meeting between them and the key organizers, Sanchez and Rodriguez. Moreover, although there is no evidence as to whether Garcia was present at this meeting, he clearly facilitated its occurrence by allowing the principals to use his residence. There is sufficient evidence that Garcia knew of the conspiracies charged in Counts 1, 2, and 3, and that he voluntarily participated in them. Also, he was clearly aware of the second Ross and Bess venture, voluntarily associated himself with the venture by recruiting crew members, and acted as a facilitator in order to make the venture succeed. 45 Morales argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction on Counts 1-3, the conspiracy charges, or on Counts 4-6, pertaining to the vessel Bobby. The evidence shows that Morales recruited Richard Washington to captain the vessel Aquarius for the purpose of making a marijuana run, and that Morales handed Washington and his friend $6,000 in front money which Sanchez had agreed to pay them for smuggling the marijuana. The evidence also shows that Morales recruited two crew members for the Bobby, Luis Ramirez and Walter Keith, and offered to pay James Prather $50,000 to be the captain. Morales gave Ramirez $300 front money and told him where they would be picking up the marijuana. Before the Bobby left port, Morales told Ramirez and Keith that the more marijuana they loaded aboard, the more they would be paid. Further, Morales offered to speak to Sanchez about getting some money for Ramirez after the Bobby venture failed. This evidence is clearly sufficient to support Morales' convictions for conspiracy, as well as for the underlying substantive offenses involving the Bobby.