Opinion ID: 203028
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sufficiency Claim of Cabello

Text: Cabello was found guilty of both substantive counts. To prove his guilt on the conspiracy charge, the government needed to show `that an agreement existed to commit the underlying offense . . ., that the defendant knew of the agreement, and that he opted to join in it, intending to commit the substantive offense,' United States v. González-Vélez, 466 F.3d 27, 37 (1st Cir.2006) (quoting United States v. Gómez, 255 F.3d 31, 35 (1st Cir.2001)). The jury could have concluded that he conspired with Rodríguez-Durán and Tejeiro based, among other things, on the piece of paper found in his berth on which were written the two phone numbers for Jose Luis. The suggestion of ongoing communication with the crime's mastermind reinforces the significance of Cabello's status as the first officer on the ship, a position in the crew's hierarchy that a jury reasonably could consider suggestive of collaboration with the captain (and Tejeiro). In addition, as noted above, authorities found the paper in his trash can with the list of code names and the designation code on board. Cabello admitted that he created the list and that it belonged to him, and both he and Rodríguez-Durán had code names on that list. Together with the evidence recited above in connection with the other defendants' sufficiency claims, the documentary and role-in-the-crew evidence amply supported the jury's conclusion that Cabello was not only a willing participant but also part of a trio who planned and managed the venture.