Opinion ID: 721106
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The four substantive money laundering convictions.

Text: 9 Hilt argues that the four substantive money laundering convictions in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956(a)(1) are not supported by sufficient evidence. These crimes were charged in counts 24 through 27. Specifically, Hilt argues that the evidence was insufficient to convict on all four counts because the government did not establish that he sent and received the wire transfers with the intent to promote the carrying on of the crime of illegal distribution of a controlled substance. Appellant's Opening Brief at 26. 10
11 Count 24 was based on a $3,350.00 wire transfer, dated January 20, 1990, from Bozeman, Montana to San Antonio, Texas. Hilt admitted that he sent this wire transfer. Sanchez-Concha testified that this wire transfer was for the payment of drugs that he supplied to Hilt. Moreover, Sanchez-Concha testified that he took the proceeds from the wire transfers and invested them in future shipments of drugs. Sanchez-Concha further stated that he and Hilt discussed that the proceeds from the wire transfers were reinvested in future drug shipments. 12 This evidence was sufficient to establish that Hilt intended to promote the carrying on of the illegal distribution of narcotics. Hilt's admission that he wired the money to San Antonio and Sanchez-Concha's testimony regarding Hilt's knowledge that the funds were reinvested in future drug shipments would allow a reasonable jury to infer Hilt's intent. 13
14 Counts 25 through 27 were based on three wire transfers from Bozeman, Montana to San Antonio, Texas. Hal Holmquist testified that he wired this money to Hilt to pay for one ounce of cocaine that Hilt sold to him. Sanchez-Concha testified that Hilt subsequently delivered this money to him. This evidence, in conjunction with Sanchez-Concha's testimony that the wire-transfer proceeds were reinvested in future drug shipments and that Hilt knew of this arrangement, was sufficient to establish that Hilt intended to promote the carrying on of the distribution of illegal narcotics. 15