Opinion ID: 6538
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the appeals of calvin brown and brenda brown thurman

Text: 26 Both Brown and Thurman challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support their convictions. Brown challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his conviction on counts one and two, and Thurman challenges the evidence to support her conspiracy conviction on count one. For purposes of a sufficiency challenge, we view the evidence presented and all inferences reasonably drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 469, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942). 27 Brown and Thurman were both convicted of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute it, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 846. Under Sec. 846, the government must prove: 1) the existence of an agreement between two or more persons; 2) the defendant's knowledge of the agreement; and 3) the defendant's voluntary participation in the conspiracy. United States v. Maltos, 985 F.2d 743, 746 (5th Cir.1992). 28 Brown and Thurman both argue that the government failed to prove that they knowingly participated in a conspiracy. We have recognized that a jury may infer a conspiracy agreement from circumstantial evidence and may rely upon presence and association, along with other evidence, in finding that a conspiracy existed. United States v. Robles-Pantoja, 887 F.2d 1250, 1254 (5th Cir.1989). 29 Brown was also convicted of aiding and abetting the possession of cocaine with intent to distribute it, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A). To support a conviction under Sec. 841(a)(1), the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the 1) knowing; 2) possession of a controlled substance; 3) with the intent to distribute it. United States v. Sacerio, 952 F.2d 860, 866 (citing United States v. Garcia, 917 F.2d 1370, 1376 (5th Cir.1990)). Brown argues that the government failed to prove that he knowingly aided and abetted the possession of cocaine. Possession of contraband with intent to distribute it may be actual or constructive, and may be proven by circumstantial or direct evidence. United States v. Lopez, 979 F.2d 1024, 1031 (5th Cir.1992); United States v. Ojebode, 957 F.2d 1218, 1223 (5th Cir.1992). 30 With these standards in mind, our review of the trial record leads us inescapably to the conclusion that the evidence is sufficient to support the challenged convictions. As for Brown, Mora testified that the Valencias described Brown as one of the biggest drug drivers in the United States. Brown was identified by a number of witnesses as the driver of load vehicles delivering cocaine to New York. 31 Brown's sister, Joyce Medlock, testified to the standard procedures followed by all of the Valencia drivers, including Brown, in transporting a load of contraband. These procedures were clearly designed to conceal the drug smuggling operation. Relatedly, Medlock also stated that in late 1988 or early 1989, she had driven a load to New York with Brown. Moreover, before his arrest, Brown himself admitted to taking trips in vehicles, vehicles which were later established to be contraband smuggling vehicles of the Valencia organization. Joyce Medlock also testified that she and the other drivers, including Brown, knew that they were carrying contraband. The jury was clearly entitled to conclude that Brown worked in concert with the Valencias and others to accomplish the objectives of the conspiracy and that Brown knowingly possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it. 32 In the government's case against Thurman, Mora testified that he relied on Thurman to communicate with the other drivers regarding organization activity when the Valencias were unavailable. Mora and other drivers testified that Thurman distributed expense money to the drivers. 33 Douglas Medlock also implicated Thurman by testifying that he and Thurman drove a load of cocaine from California to New York after giving feigned excuses for their absence from work. Work records from Thurman's place of business corroborated Medlock's testimony. A search of Thurman's residence also produced a cellular telephone connected to Jesus Valencia, as well as vehicle registration papers for a vehicle utilized by the organization. 34 In sum, our review of the record satisfies us that the evidence amply supports Brown's convictions under both counts and Thurman's conspiracy conviction.