Opinion ID: 220569
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: A ten-year joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) and the Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority (“CMHA”) into drug trafficking around the King 1 No. 09-3876 United States v. Nathaniel Robinson Kennedy Estates housing project in Cleveland, Ohio culminated in a federal indictment of sixteen defendants in 2008. Each defendant, including Defendant Nathaniel Robinson, was indicted on drug trafficking charges, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base (crack), in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A) and 846, and distribution of cocaine base (crack) in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). Robinson was the only defendant who did not plead guilty and his three day jury trial began on April 27, 2009. Evidence at Robinson’s jury trial established that the criminal investigation was centered around a grocery store, Sav-Mor, located next to the King Kennedy Estates. The government presented evidence at trial that demonstrated that drug dealers from King Kennedy Estates worked with middlemen at Sav-Mor to direct “safe” customers their way and provided the middlemen with cash or drugs for their assistance. The FBI paid Kison Robertson about $20,000 from 2000 to 2008 to serve as an informant as part of its investigation of King Kennedy Estates and other drug trafficking areas. At trial, Robertson testified that he had previously requested Robinson’s help in purchasing cocaine at Sav-Mor in November of 2007; however, despite Robinson’s help, Robertson was not connected with a dealer on that occasion. On December 3, 2007, two government informants, including Robertson, arrived at Sav-Mor, both equipped with audio and video surveillance equipment. Robertson approached Robinson, greeted him by name and inquired about purchasing a “quake,” which is a quarter of an ounce of crack. Robinson stated “there is my dude right there,” and pointed Robertson toward a drug dealer, Artemous Roulette, who was in a parked car at Sav-Mor. Robinson approached the car and notified Roulette that he had a customer. Robertson got in the car, requested a “quake,” and inquired as to 2 No. 09-3876 United States v. Nathaniel Robinson whether Roulette was going to “take care” of Robinson for his assistance. Roulette declined to provide Robinson with any benefit for directing Robertson to him at that time, so Robertson paid Robinson twenty dollars. Roulette sold a “quake” to Robertson for $300 later that day at a BP gas station, in the same neighborhood. At trial, video evidence of Robertson’s encounter with Robinson and Roulette at Sav-Mor, and of Robertson’s “quake” purchase at BP was introduced. The videos included audio. The government asserted that Robinson “middled” the drug deal; and, therefore, was guilty of the charged offenses. The government also presented testimony from crack dealers Fadil Barrett, Antoine Morgan, and Hysheen Thomas, each of whom stated that they saw Robinson “middle” drug deals at King Kennedy Estates. Crack dealer Brian Nettles said Robinson “middled” drug transactions for him a few times and he compensated Robinson by giving him cash or crack. Roulette and Thomas were also indicted alongside Robinson. Roulette testified at trial that Robinson “middled” the drug transaction recorded by Robertson, that he previously sold crack to Robinson and that he had given Robinson crack for free on occasion. Roulette testified that he only sold crack to Robertson because Robinson twice assured Roulette that he knew Robertson. Additionally, Roulette stated that he declined to pay Robinson for “middling” the drug transaction until after the crack sale was completed, that Robinson did not want to wait for payment; and that Robertson subsequently volunteered to pay Robinson. At the close of the government’s case, Robinson moved for judgment of acquittal pursuant to Rule 29 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and asserted that insufficient evidence was presented to support any conviction on the indicted offenses. The district court denied Robinson’s 3 No. 09-3876 United States v. Nathaniel Robinson motion. Thereafter, the defense presented no evidence, and the case was submitted to the jury. The jury found Robinson guilty of both the conspiracy and distribution offenses. Robinson was sentenced to the mandatory, statutory-minimum term of imprisonment of 120 months on July 1, 2009. Robinson timely appealed.