Opinion ID: 1034195
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Furlow—Count 3

Text: Furlow argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction on Count 3, for possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine in violation of §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).21 Furlow contends that the Government failed to prove that he possessed with the intent to distribute a detectable amount of powder cocaine on May 6, 2010. Furlow concedes that the Government proved that he met Pugh on May 6 and discussed a planned exchange of powder cocaine on that day. Furlow argues, however, that the Government’s evidence, including surveillance evidence, demonstrated that there was, in fact, no exchange of drugs between Pugh and Furlow on May 6, 2010. Evidence at trial, chiefly intercepts of cell phone calls, shows that on May 6, 2010, Thomas delivered powder cocaine from JeCarlos to Pugh. After Thomas delivered the cocaine, JeCarlos called Pugh, asking him whether the delivery was “straight.” During their conversation, Pugh acknowledged receipt of the drugs and JeCarlos instructed him to deliver an “E.Z.” (i.e., an ounce) to Furlow. Two minutes after that phone call, Furlow called Pugh and said that JeCarlos told him to call Pugh about “getting something,” and told Pugh to deliver it to him. About an hour later, Furlow called Pugh to discuss the quality of the cocaine Pugh had just delivered. Pugh informed Furlow that the cocaine was “in crumbs” and had been “hit,” meaning that it had been adulterated with something other than cocaine (e.g., baking soda). Further conversation between Pugh and Furlow confirms that they were discussing the cocaine that Pugh had delivered earlier that day as Pugh explained that it had been broken up “all the 21 Again, the elements of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in violation of § 841(a)(1) are (1) knowledge, (2) possession, and (3) intent to distribute cocaine. See Cain, 440 F.3d at 675. 24 Case: 12-30413 Document: 00512310475 Page: 25 Date Filed: 07/17/2013 No. 12-30413 way down with a hammer” when he received it.22 Moreover, under crossexamination, Pugh described the actual transfer of cocaine to Furlow on May 6. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational juror could find that Furlow was guilty of possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine on May 6, 2010.