Opinion ID: 2576455
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: facts

Text: [¶ 3] A traffic stop on I-80 in Laramie County revealed two occupants, one of which was appellant, and 77 pounds of marijuana. Appellant claims he was just along for the ride. [¶ 4] Appellant's partner, Steven Nevling, was a car mechanic in San Diego, California who repaired cars for drugs or money. Pursuing his chosen career, he worked on a 1994 Mitsubishi Gallant for a man called Alan. Nevling had known Alan for about three months. Nevling also knew Alan was in the drug business because Alan supplied Nevling with drugs. Nevling, however, had previously met appellant only one time through an introduction by Alan. [¶ 5] While working on the Mitsubishi, Nevling was approached by Alan and asked if he would drive the car to Iowa in return for $1,500 and a quarter ounce of methamphetamine. Alan explained that his original driver could not, for whatever reason, make the trip. After agreeing, Nevling and Alan met three individuals who loaded the trunk with marijuana. Alan then instructed Nevling to follow him to the home where Nevling was first introduced to appellant. At the home, Nevling was informed that appellant would join him on the trip. [¶ 6] At this juncture, appellant got into Alan's car, and Nevling was instructed to follow appellant and Alan. Nevling did so until they passed through an immigration checkpoint, after which appellant joined Nevling in the Mitsubishi. Alan gave appellant $300 for expenses, along with a cell phone, and appellant and Nevling began their journey to Iowa. [¶ 7] Nevling drove from San Diego to Las Vegas. Appellant then drove to Rock Springs, whereupon Nevling again took over. During the trip, the cell phone rang several times. Appellant would speak in Spanish to the caller, and a couple of times Nevling heard appellant use the word mota, which is Spanish slang for marijuana. [¶ 8] West of Rawlins, appellant became ill. Nevling called 911 and got directions to the hospital. Having delivered appellant to the hospital, being low on cash, and not knowing who to contact once he reached Iowa, Nevling used the cell phone to call Alan. He was told to stay with appellant. Later, again on the cell phone with Alan, Nevling was told to get the phone to appellant. He did so, and appellant spoke with Alan. Sometime after that, appellant left the hospital against medical advice, and they continued their journey. [¶ 9] The twosome was stopped fifteen miles west of Cheyenne because the 1994 Mitsubishi lacked working taillights and Nevling was driving erratically. They both claimed not to know the other. The interior of the car exuded an overwhelming odor of diesel fuel, a ruse sometimes used to mask the scent of drugs from dogs. A canine unit was called to the scene and, after the dog alerted, officers found about twenty bricks of marijuana in the trunk. When questioned later, appellant admitted he knew there were drugs in the car but said they belonged to Nevling. [¶ 10] The State entered into a plea agreement with Nevling, who, pursuant to that agreement, testified against appellant at trial.