Opinion ID: 1227477
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Vasquez next challenged the sufficiency of the evidence against him. When deciding if a conviction is supported by sufficient evidence, we determine whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Grubbs, 506 F.3d 434, 438 (6th Cir.2007) (emphasis in original) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). This standard applies even if the evidence is circumstantial. United States v. Kone, 307 F.3d 430, 434 (6th Cir.2002). All conflicts in the testimony are resolved in favor of the government, and every reasonable inference is drawn in its favor. United States v. Bashaw, 982 F.2d 168, 171 (6th Cir.1992). Because Vasquez failed to move for a judgment of acquittal at either the close of the government's case or the close of his case, we will reverse his conviction only if the record is devoid of evidence pointing to guilt, such that a manifest miscarriage of justice occurred. See United States v. Carnes, 309 F.3d 950, 956 (6th Cir.2002).
An individual who aids and abets another in committing an offense is punishable to the same extent as the principal offender. 18 U.S.C. § 2(a). In order to establish aiding and abetting, the government must show (1) an act by the defendant that contributes to the commission of the offense, and (2) the intent to aid in the commission of the offense. United States v. Hunt, 521 F.3d 636, 645 (6th Cir.2008). To establish a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (1) knowingly and intentionally distribute[d] cocaine, and[](2) at the time of such distribution the defendant knew that that the substance was cocaine. United States v. Colon, 268 F.3d 367, 376 (6th Cir.2001). Vasquez argues that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was a knowing and willing participant in the charged drug offenses. He argues that [o]ther than the fact that Mr. Vasquez traveled as a passenger in the van with Mr. Ove [Montes] to the location where Ove delivered the cocaine, there was no evidence that Mr. Vasquez's association with the venture was `such that his participation was intended to bring about the crime or make it succeed.' Vasquez points to the fact that during the drug delivery to Detective Winters, only Montes got into Winters's vehicle to give him the cocaine. We disagree with Vasquez's characterization of the evidence. At trial, numerous witnesses testified as to his involvement in the sale of the cocaine. Mason, the informant and cooperating witness for the government, testified that he spoke with Vasquez about payment for the cocaine, and that Vasquez quoted him the price. He further testified that Montes informed him that he could speak to either Montes or Vasquez about the transaction. Detective Winters also testified. He related that he had met with both Montes and Vasquez to discuss the transaction, that Vasquez quoted him the price for the cocaine, that Vasquez provided him with a two-ounce sample, that Vasquez told him that Vasquez's brother Juan would be transporting the cocaine to Michigan, and that Vasquez said that the delivery of the cocaine would be delayed because Juan was having car trouble. Based on this evidence and reviewing the record in the light most favorable to the government, we conclude that sufficient evidence supported Vasquez's conviction for aiding and abetting the distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine. Vasquez contributed to the distribution of the cocaine by meeting with Winters to discuss the transaction, quoting the price of the cocaine, keeping in touch with Winters about the transportation and expected arrival time for the cocaine that was delivered, and being present during other discussions involving the transaction and the actual exchange of the cocaine. The substance actually exchanged during the transaction was cocaine that weighed more than 500 grams. Accordingly, there was more than sufficient evidence to support Vasquez's conviction for aiding and abetting the distribution of cocaine.