Opinion ID: 551535
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: quantity of narcotics as regards samuel smith's sentence

Text: 79 Samuel Smith urges that his sentence to two concurrent 20-year terms is improper, because it is predicated on a finding that he possessed, and conspired to possess, more than five kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. His argument as to the term of imprisonment resulting from the conspiracy conviction is premised on his contentions that that conviction was based on insufficient evidence. In preceding sections we have affirmed that conviction. The implicit finding that the conspiracy involved the possession of more than five kilograms of cocaine is amply supported by the record, and the sentence on that count is not improper. See U.S. v. Roberts, 881 F.2d 95, 104-05 (4th Cir.1989). 80 The superseding indictment charged Samuel Smith in Count 19 with intentional distribution of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1) but did not specify any particular quantity. Smith points out that the evidence at trial showed only relatively small quantities involved in his sales of cocaine to Alice Rolle. However, the Sentencing Guidelines directed the district court to determine the offense level for Smith's possession offense on the basis of his co-conspirators conduct in furtherance of the conspiracy that was known to the defendant or was reasonably foreseeable. U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.4 application note 1 (Jan. 1988). 4 See U.S. v. Alston, 895 F.2d 1362, 1371 (11th Cir.1990). The finding in question then is whether Smith knew, or could reasonably have foreseen, that the activity of the conspiracy in the aggregate would involve more than five kilograms of cocaine. 81 We cannot meaningfully review the district court finding as to amount because the record contains no transcript of Samuel Smith's sentencing hearing. Trial counsel was permitted to withdraw and new counsel was appointed for appeal. Under the circumstances of this change of counsel we pretermit consideration of this contention by Smith and retain jurisdiction of this issue. Appellate counsel is directed to file a transcript of the sentencing hearing within 30 days.