Opinion ID: 794522
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency and Weight of the Evidence

Text: 7 We review de novo the denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal. United States v. Funchess, 422 F.3d 698, 700-01 (8th Cir.2005). We will overturn a jury verdict based upon insufficiency of the evidence only if it is clear that no reasonable jury could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Lee, 356 F.3d 831, 836 (8th Cir.2003); United States v. Surratt, 172 F.3d 559, 563 (8th Cir. 1999). In evaluating the evidence's sufficiency, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, resolving evidentiary conflicts in favor of the government, and accepting all reasonable inferences drawn from the evidence that support the jury's verdict. United States v. Sanders, 341 F.3d 809, 815 (8th Cir. 2003). Under this stringent standard, a verdict will be overturned only in rare cases. Lee, 356 F.3d at 836. 8 To establish a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001, the Government must prove that: (1) the defendant made a statement; (2) the statement was false, fictitious or fraudulent as the defendant knew; (3) the defendant made the statement knowingly and willfully; (4) the statement was within the jurisdiction of a federal agency; and (5) the statement was material. United States v. Johnson, 937 F.2d 392, 396 (8th Cir.1991). To establish a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 658, the Government must prove that: (1) the defendant knowingly concealed, removed, disposed of or converted the property described in the indictment; (2) the described property was mortgaged or pledged to, or held by, the ... Farmers Home Administration or [a] successor agency; and (3) the defendant acted with intent to defraud the agency. 2 18 U.S.C. § 658; see also United States v. Porter, 842 F.2d 1021, 1026 (8th Cir.1988). 9 With respect to the § 1001 count, Rice contends that there was insufficient evidence that he knew to be false his representation that there had been no material changes to his financial condition. 3 However, having reviewed the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict, it is clear that a reasonable jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Rice knew his statement to be false. The evidence showed that Rice knew that FSA's willingness to loan him money was a close question from the beginning. Consequently, even minor changes to Rice's financial condition were likely to constitute a material change to his financial circumstances. In support of his renewed loan application, Rice submitted documentation listing his crop year 2000 soybeans as an asset. Rice also granted FSA a security interest in the soybeans and promised FSA that it would receive some of the proceeds of the sale of the soybeans in partial repayment of the loan. Nevertheless, despite having sold over $11,000 of the crop year 2000 soybeans the day before or morning of the loan closing, Rice told FSA employees that his financial condition had not materially changed since July. Having sold $11,000 of that collateral, Rice at a minimum placed $11,000 outside of the agreements pledging his soybeans as collateral. Thus, we believe a reasonable jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Rice knew his statement concerning changes to his financial condition was false. 10 With respect to the § 658 count, Rice contends that there was insufficient evidence proving that he removed or converted the pledged funds with any intent to defraud the Government. We disagree. The evidence showed that Rice unilaterally withdrew and used pledged funds that were purposely placed in a supervised account that required FSA authorization before withdrawing those funds. Rice knew he had to obtain FSA authorization because he was involved in the negotiations over the supervised account; because he executed a Deposit Agreement that specifically provided that [n]o part of such deposit(s), account or money shall be withdrawn by [Rice] ... except on the order of [Rice] and the counter-signature of a duly authorized representative of the government; because he had four withdrawals approved previously; and because the first branch bank from which he sought to withdraw funds without approval told Rice he needed FSA approval. In a clear attempt to sidestep the requirement, Rice nevertheless sought out a different bank branch and withdrew the pledged funds. Moreover, Rice failed to return the funds after FSA and the bank told him he was legally proscribed from withdrawing the funds in the first place and requested their return. Based upon this evidence, we conclude that a reasonable jury could find beyond a reasonable doubt that Rice knowingly removed the funds pledged to FSA with the intent to defraud FSA. 11 Rice's arguments reduce to a contention that he acted in good faith, and he advances his argument largely by relying on his own testimony from trial. The jury heard Rice's testimony and apparently chose not to believe him. In light of the sufficient evidence presented by the Government, we will not disturb the jury's findings. See United States v. Cook, 356 F.3d 913, 917 (8th Cir.2004) (These arguments did not persuade the jury, and are similarly unconvincing on appeal.); United States v. Espino, 317 F.3d 788, 794 (8th Cir.2003) (The jury ... is always the ultimate arbiter of a witness's credibility, and this Court will not disturb the jury's findings in this regard.). 12 We also affirm the district court's denial of Rice's motion for a new trial based upon his argument that the verdicts were contrary to the weight of the evidence. We review a district court's denial of a motion for new trial for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Zuazo, 243 F.3d 428, 431 (8th Cir.2001). Motions for new trials are generally disfavored, United States v. Campos, 306 F.3d 577, 579 (8th Cir.2002), and will be granted only where a serious miscarriage of justice may have occurred, United States v. Huerta-Orozco, 272 F.3d 561, 565 (8th Cir.2001) (quotation omitted). In his brief, Rice's argument that the verdicts were contrary to the weight of the evidence simply incorporates his arguments regarding his motion for judgment of acquittal. We have addressed those arguments. We find no abuse of discretion in the district court's denial of Rice's motion for new trial. Accordingly, the district court properly denied Rice's motion for new trial.