Opinion ID: 612831
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Whether a variance in the evidence established facts different from those alleged in Count Eleven

Text: Count Eleven charged Acosta-Gallardo with the following: On or about September 12, 2009, at approximately 5:34 p.m., 7:39 p.m., and 8:07 p.m. in the District of Wyoming, the Defendants, Alvaro Alvarado-Sanabria and Cesar Acosta-Gallardo, did knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully use a communication facility, to wit: a telephone, in causing or facilitating the commission of acts constituting a felony under the federal controlled substance act, to wit: conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, as more fully alleged in Count One of this Indictment. In [sic] violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). R., Vol. 1 at 28. Acosta-Gallardo argues that the evidence used in the government's case to demonstrate that Acosta-Gallardo used a communication facility in furtherance of a conspiracy actually involved phone calls of October 12, 2009, not September 12, 2009, as charged in the indictment. Acosta-Gallardo argues that this amounted to a variance, and that no reasonable jury could have found Acosta-Gallardo guilty of Count Eleven. A variance arises when the evidence adduced at trial establishes facts different from those alleged in an indictment. United States v. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d 843, 848 (10th Cir.1998) (quoting United States v. Edwards, 69 F.3d 419, 432 (10th Cir.1995)). We review de novo the question whether a fatal variance occurred, viewing the evidence and drawing all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the government. United States v. Caldwell, 589 F.3d 1323, 1328 (10th Cir.2009) (citing United States v. Carnagie, 533 F.3d 1231, 1237 (10th Cir. 2008)). However, a variance is reversible error only if it affects the substantial rights of the accused. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d at 848 (quoting Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 82, 55 S.Ct. 629, 79 L.Ed. 1314 (1935)). Because we are convinced that no variance occurred, we need not reach the issue of Acosta-Gallardo's substantial rights. As recounted above, the government introduced the transcripts of three phone conversations between Alvarado and Acosta-Gallardo that took place on September 12, 2009. At trial, Alvarado explained the context of those phone calls and how they facilitated Acosta-Gallardo's delivering eight ounces of methamphetamine to him on September 12, 2009. Alvarado further testified that he sold that methamphetamine to his customers, at least some of whom were in Wyoming. Thus, the evidence introduced at trial did not establish facts different from those alleged in the indictment. Accordingly, there was no variance.