Opinion ID: 812696
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Fourth Controlled Buy

Text: On April 2, 2009, agents again met with the CI to arrange a fourth controlled buy. Prior to the transaction, the agents searched the CI and his vehicle for narcotics, firearms, and currency and found none. Agents provided the CI with $2,600 to purchase crack cocaine from the defendant, as well as a scale, an audio/video recording device, and a transmitter. Some agents again monitored the predetermined buy location, the Popeye’s restaurant on 95th Street and Vincennes Avenue, while others followed the CI to the location. While the agents’ surveillance view was blocked at times, Agent Vernon Mask testified that the defendant arrived at the parking lot in a blue van and walked back and forth several times between the van and the CI’s vehicle, updating the CI on the whereabouts of his supplier. A grey Chevy Impala arrived, occupied by the defendant’s crack cocaine supplier, Justin Gardner. After spending a couple of minutes in the Impala, Foster returned to the CI’s vehicle. After the transaction, the CI drove to the debriefing location, where he provided the agents with the crack cocaine he had purchased, the scale, the transmitter, and unexpended funds. Agents again searched the CI and recovered nothing. The crack cocaine weighed approximately 61 grams. In the meantime, Chicago police officers had followed the Impala away from the parking lot, stopped it, and eventually arrested Justin Gardner (defendant’s supplier). All of the crack cocaine purchased by the CI from the de- fendant was analyzed and confirmed to be crack cocaine. On April 6, 2009, Foster was charged with one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing 50 grams or No. 11-3097 7 more of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). On May 14, 2009, a federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment, charging Foster and another defendant with narcotics trafficking-related offenses. The earlier complaint was dismissed on the government’s motion. On July 30, 2009, the grand jury returned a second superseding indictment charging Foster and another defendant with narcotics-trafficking offenses. Foster was charged in Count One with knowingly and intentionally distributing 5 grams or more of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); in Counts Two, Three, Four, and Six with knowingly and intentionally distributing 50 grams or more of cocaine base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); and in Count Five with unlawfully possessing a firearm as a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). On August 17, 2009, the government filed a second notice of its intention to seek an enhancement of the defendant’s sentence pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 851. On November 12, 2009, the government provided information to the defense suggesting that the CI and one of the agents had provided incorrect testimony to the grand jury regarding the amount of money that was exchanged in one of the drug transactions.1 The district court determined that sufficient probable cause existed 1 Apparently, the CI had a secondary deal with Foster to steal money from ATF. Relatedly, ATF Agent Mask stated an inaccurate number before the grand jury when he discussed the amount of money that was exchanged during one particular transaction. However, the defense did not claim that Agent Mask knowingly misrepresented the number. 8 No. 11-3097 such that the inaccurate testimony did not prejudice the defendant’s right to a probable cause determination by a grand jury, reasoning that the evidence, even cleansed of such inaccuracies, was overwhelming as to probable cause. On November 16, 2009, the government orally moved to dismiss Counts Three and Five of the second superseding indictment, and the district court granted the motion. Foster entered pleas of not guilty as to all counts, and the case proceeded to a jury trial. On November 20, 2009, a jury convicted the defendant on Counts One, Two, Four and Six. On August 1, 2011, the district court sentenced the defendant to serve concurrent terms of 240 months’ imprisonment on Counts One, Two, Four, and Six, followed by concurrent terms of 10 years’ supervised release on each of the four counts.