Opinion ID: 794577
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Carl Alexander and Terry Brown

Text: 18 Alexander and Brown assert that the evidence is insufficient to support their convictions of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and PCP. We review the sufficiency of the evidence de novo. United States v. Alexander, 408 F.3d 1003, 1008 (8th Cir.2005). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, `resolving evidentiary conflicts in favor of the government, and accepting all reasonable inferences drawn from the evidence that support the jury's verdict.' Id. (quoting United States v. Espino, 317 F.3d 788, 792 (8th Cir.2003)). We reverse only if no reasonable jury could have found the defendants guilty. Id. 19 To establish that Alexander and Brown conspired to distribute cocaine and PCP, the government must prove: (1) that there was a conspiracy, an agreement to distribute cocaine and PCP; (2) that the defendants knew of the conspiracy; and (3) that the defendants intentionally joined the conspiracy. Id. (citing Espino, 317 F.3d at 792). A conspiracy may be inferred from circumstantial evidence; it need not be proved by direct evidence. Id. 20 Alexander and Brown argue that they were merely present and that they neither knew of the conspiracy nor took part in it. We conclude that the evidence supports their convictions and that both Brown and Alexander contributed to the conspiracy's success. 21 For his part, Brown often drove or rode with his codefendants in the chase vehicle. Anderson, Diggs, Bass, and the couriers testified that Brown served in that capacity for the transport of cocaine and PCP. Miller also testified that, after his first trip from California to St. Louis, he returned the vehicle and the drugs to Anderson's house. After the drugs were taken out of the false compartment, Brown drove Miller home. From this evidence, we conclude that a jury could reasonably find that Brown knowingly and intentionally joined the conspiracy. 22 Similarly, the evidence is sufficient to support Alexander's conviction. According to the testimony of Anderson and Bass, Alexander accompanied them to California and Texas to purchase drugs. Alexander argues that the testimony of his codefendants was unreliable and that he was either merely present or an independent actor. The jury, however, found Alexander's codefendants' testimony credible, and [w]e give significant weight to the jury's credibility determination. Alexander, 408 F.3d at 1008. From the evidence presented, a jury could reasonably deduce that Alexander knew of, and intentionally joined, the conspiracy. 23 Alexander and Brown next argue that the district court erred in denying their motions for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence. We review the district court's denial of such motions for abuse of discretion. United States v. Dittrich, 204 F.3d 819, 821 (8th Cir.2000). A new trial will be granted only if the following five elements are met: 24 (1) the evidence must have been discovered after the trial; (2) the failure to discover must not be attributable to a lack of due diligence on the part of the movant; (3) the evidence must not be merely cumulative or impeaching; (4) the evidence must be material; and (5) the evidence must be likely to produce an acquittal if a new trial is granted. 25 Id. (quoting United States v. Ryan, 153 F.3d 708, 713 (8th Cir.1998)). 26 Alexander and Brown based their motion on an alleged conversation that took place between Brown and Donald Fults, a drug courier. At trial, Fults testified that Brown and Alexander were members of the conspiracy. In their post trial motions for a new trial, Brown and Alexander alleged that Fults apologized for testifying against Brown and that Fults said that Anderson paid him to testify. Before denying their motions, the district court heard arguments and the testimony of Fults and Corey Williams, an inmate who testified that he had overheard the conversation. Fults denied making the apology and the accompanying statement. 27 At best, this evidence would serve only to impeach Fults's testimony. Accordingly, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Alexander's and Brown's motions for a new trial. 28 Finally, Alexander and Brown raise two constitutional issues. First, they argue that their Sixth Amendment rights were violated when the district court found that they each had one prior felony drug conviction, triggering the mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years' imprisonment under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). Alexander and Brown invite us to address the constitutionality of utilizing prior convictions to enhance sentences. After the district court handed down their sentences, however, the law in our Circuit became clear: The fact of a prior conviction is a sentencing factor for the court to decide, not a fact issue for the jury. E.g. United States v. Gamboa, 439 F.3d 796, 814-15 (8th Cir.2006) (holding that Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S.Ct. 1219, 140 L.Ed.2d 350 (1998), is still good law); United States v. Levering, 431 F.3d 289, 295 (8th Cir.2005) (same); United States v. Carrillo-Beltran, 424 F.3d 845, 848 (8th Cir.2005) (same). Accordingly, the district court did not err in finding that the defendants' prior convictions triggered the statutory mandatory minimum sentence. 29 Alexander and Brown also argue that their sentences are so disproportionate to the offense of conviction that they rise to the level of cruel and unusual punishment. Lengthy the sentences may be, but [w]e have held that mandatory minimum penalties for drug offenses do not violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. United States v. Baker, 415 F.3d 880, 882 (8th Cir.2005) (quoting United States v. Collins, 340 F.3d 672, 679 (8th Cir.2003)). We thus reject the appellants' constitutional challenges. 30