Opinion ID: 2686712
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of evidence as to count five

Text: Finally, we consider whether there was sufficient evidence to support Parker’s conviction on Count 5, which stemmed from the activities of December 2011 and formed the basis for one of the two counts relating to conducting unlawful work activity on lands encompassed by Part 261. “Evidence is sufficient to support a conviction unless, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, no rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Doe, 136 F.3d 631, 636 (9th Cir. 1998). Section 261.10(c) prohibits, in relevant part and as charged in Count 5, (1) “conducting any kind of work activity or service”; (2) on lands encompassed by the regulation; (3) without a special use authorization. 36 C.F.R. § 261.10(c). Taken in the light most favorable to the prosecution, the evidence easily satisfies the sufficiency standard. As to Element 1 (“work activity or service”), Roberson testified that he observed Parker on the Highway with fifteen customers and snowmobiles; identified a truck with a trailer belonging to Cascade Playtime Rentals, Parker’s business; and watched Parker flee the scene when Roberson attempted to make contact with him. Parker’s view that Roberson failed to provide a link between Parker and commercial activity is UNITED STATES V. PARKER 15 belied by common sense. In light of the truck adorned with Parker’s business name, the snowmobiles, people standing in the road ready for snowmobiling, and Parker’s flight, the magistrate judge was entitled to credit the objective evidence and draw reasonable inferences from the circumstantial evidence. See United States v. Jackson, 72 F.3d 1370, 1381 (9th Cir. 1995). Parker does not seriously contest the other elements, nor could he. For Element 2 (lands encompassed by the regulation), Roberson testified that he observed Parker at points of the Highway entirely surrounded by the National Forest and that he watched Roberson lead all but two of the snowmobilers into the forest. For Element 3 (special use authorization), Roberson testified that Parker did not have or display a special use authorization, and that a search of the database revealed that Parker had no authorization. Because a “rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt,” Doe, 136 F.3d at 636, sufficient evidence supported Parker’s conviction on Count 5. AFFIRMED.