Opinion ID: 533823
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: augustine gomez

Text: 22 Defendant Gomez was arrested in his Los Angeles, California, home on June 19, 1987, and was charged in Count One with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. After arresting Gomez, DEA agents searched his house, finding no narcotics but discovering an address book containing the names Tomas Perez and Agustine [sic] Ramirez. 11 Gomez was charged with conspiracy and entered a plea of not guilty on June 24, 1987, and thereafter, on December 10, 1987, reiterated his not guilty plea in response to an identical charge contained in a superseding indictment. 23 A jury trial commenced on January 11, 1988, in which the government presented evidence establishing that during the course of the charged conspiracy, the defendant had numerous contacts with convicted co-conspirator Tomas Perez. Perez testified that he had known Gomez since 1979, and that they had discussed the sale of cocaine over the telephone. Despite these conversations, Perez denied that Gomez had provided him with cocaine. The government countered Perez's denial with transcripts of recorded telephone conversations 12 between Gomez and Perez, as well as with evidence of Gomez's and Perez's involvement with deliveries of large amounts of cash. 24 On March 17, 1987, Gomez told Perez that he had talked to that guy and that he was starting to feel like it and was starting to want to. Perez replied that he needed to see if something can [sic] be done and asked if he had all the information. Gomez responded that he was going to check everything out real well and would call to tell him how many, how much he wants. 25 On March 19, 1987, Gomez asked Perez for a $500 loan. Perez reminded Gomez that he (Perez) still owed fourteen after deducting expenses, but Gomez replied that he only wanted ten. Gomez stated that Chava, who Perez later identified as Francisco Alvarado, would be in Rockford that night and would return to Los Angeles the next morning. Based on this conversation, the Rockford Police Department set up surveillance at the Regal 8 Motel in Rockford where Perez had agreed to meet Alvarado. On March 19, 1987, Gomez called Perez, gave him a room number at the Regal 8 and stated that the guy was already there. Immediately after this call, Perez called Alvarado at the motel and asked if Augustine had told him (Alvarado) about the request, to which Alvarado replied that he had. The following morning, March 20, 1987, at approximately 7:28 a.m., Alvarado called Perez and told him that someone had arrived and had left that. He asked Perez what he should do about getting the errand. Perez replied that he would come to the motel. Approximately one hour later, Rockford police observed Perez entering Alvarado's room. Perez and Alvarado, who was observed carrying a gray suitcase, left the motel and proceeded to the New Faust Hotel in Rockford, where Alvarado was seen making a phone call. Telephone records introduced at trial revealed that on March 20, 1987, at 10:43 a.m., a telephone call was placed from the New Faust Hotel to Gomez's residence in California. Rockford police officers then followed Alvarado to the O'Hare Airport in Chicago, where they observed Alvarado purchase an airline ticket and place a second telephone call. Again, telephone records revealed that Gomez's residence in California received a call from O'Hare at the time the officers observed Alvarado place the second phone call. After Alvarado boarded an airplane bound for Los Angeles, California, the officers relayed his description to DEA agents working on a narcotics task force in the Los Angeles Airport. 26 The DEA agents identified Alvarado when he arrived at the Los Angeles Airport, observing him walk to the departure area and speak with two Hispanic men in a red truck. The agents were later advised that the truck was registered to Augustine Gomez. After the truck departed, Alvarado proceeded to the baggage claim area and retrieved the gray suitcase. The agents stopped Alvarado as he was leaving the terminal, asking if he was carrying narcotics or large amounts of cash. Alvarado responded that he was carrying approximately $13,000 and consented to a search of his luggage, where the agents found $26,960 in cash. The agents confiscated the money, gave Alvarado a receipt and explained the procedure to be followed in reclaiming the cash. The following day, March 21, 1987, a Spanish-speaking male telephoned Perez and told him that they took the money and that he would have to go to court if he wanted to claim it. 27 On April 24, 1987, Gomez and Perez engaged in another telephone conversation in which Gomez quoted Perez a price of $22,000 for a specific amount of cocaine. Perez asked Gomez to send the cocaine and to make it quick. Later that same day, Gomez called Perez and stated that it was coming. In a telephone conversation on May 6, 1987, Perez asked Gomez if it--he was there and Gomez stated that it would arrive by Saturday afternoon. Perez replied, Oh, man, and said there was no need to talk about it further. Five days later, on May 11, 1987, Gomez called Perez's video store and left a message stating where he (Gomez) would be that day. 28 Donald Gilgan, an employee of I. Spinello Locksmith in Rockford, testified that on May 11, 1987, he made an ignition key for a Pontiac Trans Am automobile for an individual named A. Gomez. Two days later, May 13, 1987, Gomez and another individual, Jose Garcia, were stopped in the state of Utah while traveling westward in the same vehicle. Utah State Trooper Richard Haycock testified that he stopped the vehicle, driven by Garcia at the time, because its California license plates had expired. Gomez informed Officer Haycock that the two had been in Denver, Colorado, for a wedding and were returning to Los Angeles. Upon discovering that Garcia's driver's license had also expired, Haycock requested permission to search the interior of the vehicle. After Gomez consented, Haycock found a receipt issued to A. Gomez from I. Spinello in Rockford, Illinois, and dated May 11, 1987. When presented with the receipt, Gomez denied having been in Illinois. Haycock then asked Gomez for permission to search the entire vehicle and Gomez consented. 29 Haycock discovered a homemade ramp in the trunk of the car. Upon seeing this, Gomez immediately asked Haycock if he would like to search his luggage. Haycock continued to examine the ramp, eventually discovering $44,020 in cash. Gomez stated that he did not know who owned the ramp and that two men with whom he was unfamiliar had put the ramp in the car. Gomez further stated that he did not know whether the ramp had been placed in the car in Denver or in Illinois. Before leaving, Haycock searched Gomez's luggage and found a notice of seizure and forfeiture of $26,960 issued to Francisco Alvarado, of which Gomez also denied having any knowledge. Gomez declined an invitation to obtain a receipt for the $44,020 at a nearby police station and left the scene. 30 The final conversation introduced by the government occurred after Gomez's stop in Utah. On May 17, 1987, Gomez telephoned Perez and asked him what he had. Perez stated that we're going to take it easy until the next one because over here it's too much heat. 31 The government also introduced, over the defendant's objection, the testimony of United States Customs Inspector Charles Mazon, who stated that on January 14, 1985, while working at the Mexican border checkpoint in Tecate, California, he received notice that an automobile was in need of further searching. The person occupying the vehicle, Jose Garcia, stated that he was not the owner and had nothing to declare. The owner, in fact, was Gomez, who had walked across the border and was waiting for Garcia to enter the United States. Upon discovering that the automobile belonged to Gomez, Customs Inspector Mazon searched Gomez and Garcia. Although Mazon found no contraband on Gomez or in his vehicle, he discovered 103.5 grams of heroin hidden in Garcia's shoes and arrested Garcia and Gomez. 32 Four witnesses testified on Gomez's behalf, stating that he was in Rockford on May 2, 1987, to attend a baptism and, as a favor to his brother, drove back to Los Angeles with Jose Garcia on May 11, 1987. In rebuttal, the government presented evidence that Gomez called Perez from California on May 6, 1987, thus establishing that Gomez had not remained in Rockford between the May 2 baptism and May 11, the date he allegedly departed from Rockford for the first time. The government also presented rebuttal evidence that Gomez was required to obtain permission to travel outside of California, had done so on three previous occasions, but had failed to request permission to leave the state at any time during May of 1987. 13 33 On January 20, 1988, the jury convicted Gomez on the conspiracy charge. On February 26, 1988, the trial court sentenced Gomez to 15 years' incarceration. Gomez appeals his conviction, arguing that: (1) the district court abused its discretion in admitting evidence of Gomez's arrest and the seizure of heroin from Jose Garcia at the Mexican border in 1985; and (2) there was insufficient evidence to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Gomez participated in the charged conspiracy.
34 Gomez contends that the district court erred in admitting the testimony of Charles Mazon, a United States Customs Inspector at the California-Mexico border, concerning Gomez's arrest after Mazon discovered 103.5 grams of heroin in Jose Garcia's shoes. Specifically, Gomez argues that Mazon's testimony was inadmissible because it involved acts not charged in the indictment falling outside the parameters of Fed.R.Evid. 404(b). That rule, which governs the admission of other acts evidence, provides: 35 Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. 36 In this circuit, district courts, before admitting other acts evidence under Rule 404(b), must analyze the evidence within the framework of a four-part test and determine that: 37 (1) the evidence is directed toward establishing a matter in issue other than the defendant's propensity to commit the crime charged, (2) the evidence shows that the other act is similar enough and close enough in time to be relevant to the matter in issue, (3) the evidence is sufficient to support a jury finding that the defendant committed the similar act, and (4) the probative value of the evidence is not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. 38 United States v. Zapata, 871 F.2d 616, 620 (7th Cir.1989). We note that Gomez's burden in challenging the trial court's admission of other acts evidence under Rule 404(b) and its corresponding four-part test is a heavy one. It is well established that a district court's decision to admit other acts evidence is reversible only upon a determination that the court committed a clear abuse of discretion. Zapata, 871 F.2d at 621; United States v. Harrod, 856 F.2d 996, 999 (7th Cir.1988). 39 At trial, the government introduced evidence that the defendant, accompanied by Jose Garcia, had been stopped in Utah on May 13, 1987, by Utah State Trooper Richard Haycock, while traveling westbound in an automobile driven by Garcia. After discovering that Garcia's driver's license had expired, Haycock searched the car and discovered $44,020 in cash that had been hidden in a ramp in the trunk of the vehicle. Gomez denied having knowledge of the money. The government argued at trial that the facts surrounding the Utah stop were evidence of the defendant's participation in the charged conspiracy, positing that Gomez was transporting money to Los Angeles after selling cocaine to Tomas Perez. Gomez's theory of defense was that because he allegedly had no knowledge of the money, it was impossible for him to form the requisite intent regarding the money found in the trunk, and thus, this evidence failed to demonstrate his participation in the conspiracy. In an attempt to establish the defendant's knowledge and intent regarding the $44,020, the government offered, pursuant to Rule 404(b), Mazon's testimony concerning Gomez's stop and arrest at the Mexican border in 1985 after 103.5 grams of heroin were discovered in Jose Garcia's shoes. The government's position was (and is) that the two stops were evidence of Gomez's and Garcia's method for transporting narcotics and the proceeds from sales thereof and was therefore admissible on the issue of knowledge and intent. The trial court agreed and, after determining that the evidence satisfied the four prongs of the Zapata test, supra, admitted the evidence. 40 On appeal, the defendant alleges that the district court abused its discretion in admitting Mazon's testimony because the second and fourth prongs of this Circuit's balancing test have not been satisfied. 14 Specifically, Gomez argues that there is little similarity between the circumstances of his arrest at the Mexican border in 1985 and those of his stop in Utah in 1987, and that the probative value of the border stop evidence was greatly outweighed by its prejudicial effect. 41 In support of his claim that his arrest bears little similarity to his stop in Utah, Gomez argues that with regard to the border stop, Jose Garcia was clearly the major actor, and that even assuming Gomez's knowledge of the heroin found in Garcia's shoes, smuggling drugs in from Mexico has very little to do with a stop for unregistered license plates in Utah, more than two years later, and the discovery of money in the trunk. We disagree. As the government points out, the two stops exhibited many similarities, thus establishing Gomez's modus operandi for transporting contraband and proceeds from the sale thereof. For example, in each instance the defendant and Jose Garcia were traveling together, and Garcia was operating an automobile which Gomez claimed to own. 15 Finally, on both occasions, Gomez and Garcia were found transporting goods that had been purposefully hidden. Although the discovery of $44,020 in cash, viewed in isolation, would not automatically raise the same type of suspicions as those arising from the discovery of heroin, Gomez's behavior during the Utah stop, as well as the fact that the money was hidden in a secret compartment, as opposed to being on his person, supported the inference that the money was certainly suspect. Indeed, Gomez gave the officer false information concerning his whereabouts prior to being stopped, stating that he had not been in Rockford when, in fact, according to his own witnesses, Gomez had been in Rockford, Illinois, from May 2, 1987, until May 11, 1987. Gomez continued to persist in this false statement even after the officer discovered the work receipt from the locksmith in Rockford. Moreover, after Officer Haycock discovered the ramp, Gomez made an unsuccessful attempt to divert the officer's attention by offering to open his suitcase for Haycock to search. Finally, Gomez contradicted himself by stating that two men he did not know put the ramp in the vehicle, and further that he did not know where this had been accomplished, in Denver or in Illinois. 16 In view of these facts, we agree with the district court's determination that the facts surrounding Gomez's arrest at the Mexican border and those surrounding his stop in Utah were sufficiently similar to be relevant on the issue of Gomez's knowledge and intent concerning the money found during the Utah stop. 42 We also reject the defendant's contention that the probative value of the other acts evidence was substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect on the jury. As discussed above, the circumstances surrounding Gomez's arrest were relevant on the issue of his knowledge and intent regarding the $44,020 because both incidents reflected Gomez's modus operandi in transporting narcotics or the proceeds from sales thereof. As we stated in United States v. Blandina, 895 F.2d 293 (7th Cir. 1989): 43 Relevant evidence is not inadmissible ... unless its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. The fact that evidence is prejudicial or damaging to the defendant does not of itself classify the evidence as inadmissible. United States v. Medina, 755 F.2d 1269, 1274 (7th Cir.1985). Indeed, '[r]elevant evidence is inherently prejudicial; but it is only unfair prejudice, substantially outweighing probative value, which permits exclusion of relevant matter....' United States v. McRae, 593 F.2d 700, 707 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 862 [100 S.Ct. 128, 62 L.Ed.2d 83] (1979). 44 895 F.2d at 299. 45 The trial transcript reflects that the trial judge heard oral argument on the defendant's motion in limine to exclude the evidence of Gomez's arrest on January 11, 1988. At this hearing, counsel on both sides presented in detail their respective positions regarding the relative probative value and prejudicial effect of this evidence. Only after considering and weighing these arguments overnight did the court rule that the probative value of this evidence outweighed the danger of unfairly prejudicing the jury. Given these facts we refuse to second-guess the determination of the experienced trial judge. As we stated in United States v. Brown, 688 F.2d 1112, 1117 (7th Cir.1982): The trial judge, who saw and heard the evidence firsthand, can best balance probity and prejudice. Further, the transcript reveals that the judge instructed the jury twice--immediately after Mazon's testimony and during the final charge to the jury--regarding the limited purpose for which this evidence was offered. In his final charge the judge stated: 46 You have heard evidence that the defendant was present at the United States/Mexico border in 1985 when Jose Garcia was stopped in the defendant's car and was found to possess heroin. This evidence of possession of heroin should not be considered in any way as part of the conspiracy charge against the defendant, Augustine Gomez. You may consider this evidence only on the question of the defendant's plan, knowledge, or intent and on the question of whether the defendant acted under the absence of mistake or accident. 47 We are convinced that the trial court's instructions mitigated any unfair prejudicial effect, if any, that Mazon's testimony might have had on the jury's decision-making process. Absent evidence to the contrary, [w]e make the crucial and valid assumption that jurors carefully follow instructions given them by the court. United States v. Stern, 858 F.2d 1241, 1250 (7th Cir.1988). 48 In sum, we conclude that Gomez's challenges to the admissibility of the other acts evidence are without merit. The evidence of Gomez's arrest was sufficiently similar to the circumstances of his stop in Utah in which $44,020 was discovered concealed in his automobile. Further, the probative value of this evidence was not substantially outweighed by its risk of unfairly prejudicing the jury. Accordingly, we hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Mazon's testimony.
49 Gomez next argues that the evidence presented at trial is insufficient to sustain the jury's verdict finding him guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. 50 In evaluating [Gomez's] sufficiency of the evidence challenge, we note that he bears a heavy burden. Initially, we 'review all the evidence and all the reasonable inferences that can be drawn from the evidence in the light most favorable to the government.'  United States v. Nesbitt, 852 F.2d 1502, 1509 (7th Cir.1988) (quoting United States v. Pritchard, 745 F.2d 1112, 1122 (7th Cir.1984)), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 808, 102 L.Ed.2d 798 (1989). Once a defendant has been found guilty of the crime charged, the factfinder's role as weigher of the evidence is preserved through a legal conclusion that upon judicial review all of the evidence is to be considered in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) (emphasis in original and footnote omitted). Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in this light, any rational trier of fact could have found the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 319, 99 S.Ct. at 2789. Only when the record contains no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, may an appellate court overturn the verdict. United States v. Whaley, 830 F.2d 1469, 1473 (7th Cir.1987) (quoting United States v. Moore, 764 F.2d 476, 478 (7th Cir.1985)), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 108 S.Ct. 1738, 100 L.Ed.2d 202 (1988). 51 A conspiracy is commonly defined as 'a combination or confederation of two or more persons formed for the purpose of committing, by their joint efforts, a criminal act.'  United States v. Koenig, 856 F.2d 843, 854 (7th Cir.1988) (quoting United States v. DeCorte, 851 F.2d 948, 953 (7th Cir.1988)). Thus, the 'essential elements of conspiracy under § 846 [of the Controlled Substances Act] are the existence of an agreement between two or more individuals, with the intent to commit an offense in violation of the Controlled Substances Act.'  Nesbitt, 852 F.2d at 1510 (quoting United States v. Sweeney, 688 F.2d 1131, 1140 (7th Cir.1982)). Furthermore, the government must establish that the defendant was aware of the conspiracy and intentionally join[ed] and associat[ed] himself with its criminal design and purpose. United States v. Griffin, 827 F.2d 1108, 1117 (7th Cir.1987), cert. denied, 485 U.S. 909, 108 S.Ct. 1085, 99 L.Ed.2d 243 (1988). In establishing these elements, we note that it is proper for the government to offer and for the jury to consider circumstantial evidence. United States v. Vega, 860 F.2d 779, 793 (7th Cir.1988). By its very nature, a conspiracy 'is conceived and carried out clandestinely, and direct evidence of the crime is rarely available.'  United States v. Mayo, 721 F.2d 1084, 1088 (7th Cir.1983) (quoting United States v. Washington, 586 F.2d 1147, 1153 (7th Cir.1978)). Thus, [n]ot only is the use of circumstantial evidence permissible, but circumstantial evidence may be the sole support for a conviction. United States v. Reed, 875 F.2d 107, 111 (7th Cir.1989) (quoting Vega, 860 F.2d at 793-94) (emphasis in original and citations omitted). Although the jury's verdict may not rest solely on the piling of inference upon inference ..., [t]he view that the prosecution's case must answer all questions and remove all doubts ... of course, is not the law because that would be impossible; the proof need only satisfy reasonable doubt. Nesbitt, 852 F.2d at 1511 (emphasis in original and citations omitted). 52 Gomez does not contest on appeal that the government failed to establish the existence of the charged conspiracy. Thus, the only question is whether the evidence supports the jury's conclusion that Gomez intentionally joined and participated in the conspiratorial scheme. See Griffin, supra. In considering this question on previous occasions, this court has noted: 53 Participation in a criminal conspiracy may be shown through the use of circumstantial evidence. Circumstantial evidence may include whether the defendant has a stake in the outcome of the conspiracy. Once a conspiracy is shown to exist evidence that establishes a particular defendant's participation beyond a reasonable doubt, although the connection between defendant and conspiracy is slight, is sufficient to convict.... [M]ere association, knowledge or approval of a conspiracy is not sufficient to prove a defendant's guilt. However, while 'mere presence at the scene of the crime or mere association with conspirators will not themselves support a conspiracy conviction ... presence of a single act will suffice if the circumstances permit the inference that the presence or act was intended to advance the ends of the conspiracy.'  54 United States v. Xheka, 704 F.2d 974, 988-89 (7th Cir.) (quoting United States v. Mancillas, 580 F.2d 1301, 1308 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 958, 99 S.Ct. 361, 58 L.Ed.2d 351 (1978)), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 993, 104 S.Ct. 486, 78 L.Ed.2d 682 (1983) (citations omitted). Accord United States v. Diaz, 876 F.2d 1344, 1352 (7th Cir.1989); Vega, 860 F.2d at 795. 55 Applying these standards to the facts of this case, there is little question that the government presented sufficient evidence from which the jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Gomez was a knowing participant in the charged conspiracy. Specifically, Gomez was implicated in the seizure of $26,960 from Francisco Alvarado at the Los Angeles Airport, as well as his arrest in Utah after $44,020 was discovered in the trunk of his car. With regard to the seizure of the $26,960, transcripts from telephone conversations between Gomez and convicted coconspirator Tomas Perez reveal that Gomez sent Alvarado to Rockford on an errand on March 19, 1987. On that same day, Gomez requested a loan of ten from Perez. On March 20, 1987, Rockford police officers observed Perez meet with Alvarado at two hotels in the Rockford area. The officers also observed Alvarado make two telephone calls, one from a hotel in Rockford and the other from O'Hare Airport in Chicago. Telephone records introduced at trial revealed that Gomez's residence in Los Angeles had received telephone calls from both locations on March 20, 1987, at the same times that Alvarado was observed placing telephone calls. Furthermore, after Alvarado arrived in Los Angeles, DEA agents working on the narcotics task force in the Los Angeles Airport observed him speaking with two Hispanic males in a red truck registered to Gomez. When questioned by the agents as to whether he was carrying narcotics or large amounts of cash, Alvarado responded that he had approximately $13,000 in his possession. Upon the agents' discovery of $26,960, Alvarado claimed that various individuals, none of whom was the defendant, had lent him the money. The agents took possession of the $26,960, issued Alvarado a receipt for the seized money, and advised him how to retrieve it should he so desire. Less than two months later, on May 13, 1987, this receipt was found in Gomez's possession when he was stopped in Utah and $44,020 was discovered hidden in his vehicle. 56 A second sequence of events implicating Gomez as a participant in the conspiracy involves his trip to Rockford in May 1987. Perez admitted that on April 24, 1987, he and Gomez had engaged in a conversation in which Gomez proposed to sell him one kilogram of cocaine for $22,000. Prior to this conversation, Gomez had told Perez that he was starting to feel like it and starting to want to. Gomez also stated that he intended to call that guy ... to tell him how many, how much he wants. Less than two weeks later, on May 6, 1987, Gomez called Perez from California and Perez asked if it-he was there. Gomez replied that it would arrive by the following Saturday. 17 57 One week after this conversation, on May 13, 1987, Gomez was stopped in Utah en route from Rockford to Los Angeles and was found to be in possession of $44,020, which had been hidden in the trunk of his car. Utah State Trooper Richard Haycock also found a receipt from a Rockford (Illinois) locksmith issued to A. Gomez and dated May 11, 1987, and a receipt of seizure and forfeiture of $26,960 issued to Francisco Alvarado on March 20, 1987. Four days later, May 17, 1987, Gomez telephoned Perez and asked him what he had. Perez replied, We're going to take it easy until the next one because over here it's too much heat. 58 The fact that portions of the conversations between Gomez and Perez may have been somewhat vague does not preclude a determination that Gomez participated in the drug conspiracy. Vega, 860 F.2d at 795. As we observed in United States v. Zanin, 831 F.2d 740, 744 (7th Cir.1987): Conversations regarding drug transactions are rarely clear. A fact-finder must always draw inferences from veiled allusions and code words. In this case the jury was confronted with conversations in which Gomez and Perez used code words such as he and it. It is widely recognized that drug conspirators often employ code words in their conversations concerning narcotics transactions when they realize, as they do in today's drug culture, that their telephone conversations are frequently intercepted. Vega, 860 F.2d at 795. These code words, when considered in isolation, might seem unclear, veiled and almost nonsensical, but when analyzed properly, in the context of the totality of the evidence, can be clearly seen to be 'code words' for drugs. Id. Considering the use of these code words in light of the totality of the circumstances, especially Tomas Perez's admission that he and Gomez had negotiated the sale of cocaine on April 24, 1987, the evidence of Gomez's participation in the conspiracy is most convincing. 59 As is common among defendants appealing conspiracy convictions under the federal narcotics laws, Gomez offers numerous explanations and denials regarding the government's evidence, all of which are either without support or contradicted by other evidence. 18 In any case, these explanations are irrelevant on appeal. As we noted in Zanin, supra: 60 Phyllis Zanin argues that all conversations in which she participated are susceptible to an innocent explanation. This may or may not be true--but it is irrelevant. The existence of an innocent explanation does not foreclose a jury from finding guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury was entitled to draw reasonable inferences from the conversations. 61 831 F.2d at 745. Similarly, the jury in this case exercising well-reasoned judgment could very well conclude that the inculpatory inferences outweigh the exculpatory inferences that could be drawn from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. Nesbitt, 852 F.2d at 1511. We emphasize that [j]uries are allowed to draw upon their own experience in life as well as their common sense in reaching their verdict.... While '[c]ommon sense is not a substitute for evidence, ... common sense should be used to evaluate what reasonably may be inferred from circumstantial evidence.'  Id. (citations omitted). After reviewing all of the evidence and the logical inferences drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to the government, we are satisfied that a rational jury could and did conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Gomez participated in the conspiracy charged in Count One of the indictment.