Opinion ID: 610597
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prior Act

Text: 30 The court allowed the government to introduce evidence of Vaquero's prior possession of cocaine in Florida under Rule 404(b), in order to show his motive or intent. Vaquero argues that this evidence is irrelevant under Rule 401, more prejudicial than probative under Rule 403, and does not prove motive or intent as required by Rule 404(b). 4 31 We review the admission of evidence under the standards set out in § I.B, supra. 32 Vaquero argued at trial that although the video tape portrays him as a willing participant in the conspiracy, he never intended to deal cocaine or aid anyone else in doing so; he thereby put his intent at issue. See United States v. Adderly, 529 F.2d 1178, 1181 (5th Cir.1976). The court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of Vaquero's prior possession of cocaine in Florida because it rebuts Vaquero's contention that he lacked the mens rea to deal drugs. Furthermore, because this evidence was quite probative of Vaquero's intent, the district court did not abuse its discretion in determining that the evidence was more probative than prejudicial.