Opinion ID: 729705
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Elements of Each Offense

Text: 12 To satisfy the intent requirement of conspiracy, the Government must show that Lawanson knew of the conspiracy and voluntarily joined it, United States v. Chaney, 964 F.2d 437, 449 (5th Cir. 1992), and that Lawanson had the requisite intent to commit the underlying substantive offenses. United States v. Buford, 889 F.2d 1406, 1409 n.5 (5th Cir 1989). Because the Government proceeded under the theory that Lawanson aided and abetted the substantive violations, it is not necessary to prove that Lawanson herself completed each specific act charged in the indictment. The Government must prove, however, that she associated with the criminal venture such that she had the same criminal intent as the principal. See United States v. Murray, 988 F.2d 518, 522 (5th Cir. 1993). To aid and abet simply means to assist the perpetrator of a crime while sharing the requisite criminal intent. United States v. Jaramillo, 42 F.3d 920, 923 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 131 L. Ed. 2d 1013, 115 S. Ct. 2014 (1995). 13 The intent necessary for wire fraud is the specific intent to defraud or deceive, although proof of such intent can arise by inference from all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the transactions. United States v. Keller, 14 F.3d 1051, 1056 (5th Cir. 1994) (internal quotations omitted). To convict Lawanson of money laundering, the Government must prove either that she intended to promote the carrying on of an unlawful activity or knew that the transaction was designed to conceal the proceeds of an unlawful activity. United States v. Garza, 42 F.3d 251, 253 (5th Cir. 1994), cert. denied, 132 L. Ed. 2d 268, 115 S. Ct. 2263 (1995). Finally, to convict for use of unauthorized access devices, the Government must prove that Lawanson acted knowingly and with the intent to defraud, although proof of such intent may be established with circumstantial evidence. United States v. Goodchild, 25 F.3d 55, 59-60 (1st Cir. 1995).