Opinion ID: 563814
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Constitutionality of Sentencing Guideline 3E1.1; Sufficiency of Evidence; Defective Indictment

Text: 12 Puma first contends that Sentencing Guideline 3E1.1 violates his Sixth Amendment right to a jury trial. An identical contention was considered and rejected in United States v. White et al., 869 F.2d 822, 826 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1112, 109 S.Ct. 3172, 104 L.Ed.2d 1033 (1989). Puma next argues that there was not sufficient evidence to support his convictions because certain witnesses were given an incentive to testify against him by plea agreements. Such plea agreements raise issues of credibility. Credibility was for the jury. United States v. Martin, 790 F.2d 1215, 1219 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 868, 107 S.Ct. 231, 93 L.Ed.2d 157 (1986). 13 Puma finally urges that his indictment was fatally defective in not alleging the quantities of amphetamine it charged him with possessing. This argument is made for the first time in this appeal. We therefore review only to ascertain whether the indictment stated the essential elements of the charged offenses. United States v. Wilson, 884 F.2d 174, 179 (5th Cir.1989); United States v. Campos-Asencio, 822 F.2d 506, 508 (5th Cir.1987). Quantity is not an element of any of the charged offenses. United States v. Medina, 887 F.2d 528, 532 (5th Cir.1989) (stating elements of violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2); United States v. Hernandez-Palacios, 838 F.2d 1346, 1350 (5th Cir.1988) (stating elements of violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1952); United States v. Morgan, 835 F.2d 79, 81 (5th Cir.1987) (stating elements of violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(b)(1)(A)); United States v. Sperling, 506 F.2d 1323, 1344 (2d Cir.1974) (stating elements of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 848), cert. denied sub nom. Goldstein v. United States, 420 U.S. 962, 95 S.Ct. 1351, 43 L.Ed.2d 439 (1975). The indictment, therefore, contained the essential elements of the offenses charged and is sufficient.