Opinion ID: 2811841
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Wire Intercepts and Confidential Informants

Text: 1 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602 (1966). 7 Case: 13-10471 Date Filed: 06/25/2015 Page: 8 of 37 In its investigation of the crack-cocaine conspiracy operating in Fort Myers, the government obtained from the district judge Title III wiretap intercept orders for telephones belonging to Rick Jean and Neheme Ductant. The probable cause to support the applications to authorize interception of wire and electronic communications was provided by three confidential informants as well as physical surveillance, historical drug activity of the subject defendants and others, and criminal history. 2 Information also was provided by intercepted jail calls between Sereme and other members of the conspiracy after Sereme’s incarceration following the traffic stop, where cocaine was found on him. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department investigated the Capital Street trailer distribution in July 2010. On three occasions, an informant purchased crack cocaine there from Hester or Aland Genelas. Law enforcement obtained and executed a search warrant for the trailer; Hester and Genelas were arrested. Genelas called Sereme from jail to discuss the arrest and search of the trailer. They also discussed their belief that law enforcement was working with informants. While incarcerated, Sereme made several telephone calls concerning the drug operation to Rick Jean, Wilmane Jean, Hyppolite, and Ductant. Over 2 An application for a wiretap must be supported by the same probable cause required for a search warrant. United States v. Nixon, 918 F.2d 895, 900 (11th Cir. 1990). The probable cause determination is a “practical, common-sense decision” as to whether the “totality of the circumstances” indicate there is probable cause the evidence sought will be obtained. Id. The information supporting probable cause should be sufficient enough for a determination the particular telephone number is being used in furtherance of unlawful activity. United States v. Domme, 753 F.2d 950, 954 n.2 (11th Cir. 1985). 8 Case: 13-10471 Date Filed: 06/25/2015 Page: 9 of 37 several months following Sereme’s arrest, an informant arranged and consummated several crack-cocaine purchases with Rick Jean and Wilmane Jean. In July 2011, an agent with the Fort Myers FBI obtained authorization to intercept electronic and wire communications involving a telephone number he believed Rick Jean had used. The affidavit in support of the application for authorization to intercept these communications included descriptions of previous drug activity by Sereme and his partners, information from several confidential informants, as well as previous surreptitiously recorded conversations involving Rick Jean. It also mentioned Sereme’s traffic stop, arrest, and subsequent jail telephone calls. Intercepted communications were conversations between Rick Jean and other parties, including Hyppolite, Ductant, and Wilmane Jean, concerning selling crack cocaine, money, and matters related to the crack-cocaine conspiracy. In early August 2011, Rick Jean was arrested and found in possession of approximately 27 grams of cocaine. In August 2011, authorization was obtained to intercept communications involving another telephone number. Those calls included communications concerning crack cocaine, money, and related matters between Wilmane Jean, Ductant, Hyppolite, and other coconspirators. On September 21, 2011, confidential source Beth Ann Torta participated in the controlled purchase of crack cocaine. She purchased crack cocaine four times: 9 Case: 13-10471 Date Filed: 06/25/2015 Page: 10 of 37 twice from Dupin at the Carmen Avenue apartment and twice from Fritzco Desir at an apartment on Linda Loma Drive. Desir, Sereme, Rick Jean, and others cooked crack cocaine together, pooled resources to purchase powder cocaine in Miami, and operated two distribution apartments on Linda Loma Drive. Desir supplied crack cocaine for Bonita to sell. On September 27, 2011, Torta made two more controlled purchases of crack cocaine: one from Bonita at the Linda Loma Drive apartment and one from Hyppolite at the Kimble Drive apartment. Torta was assured the crack cocaine from these two purchases had the same origin. In October 2011, law enforcement officers executed warrants on several apartments associated with the defendants’ crack-cocaine production and sales. They recovered evidence, including digital scales, a firearm, cash, crack cocaine, and equipment for producing crack cocaine. Bonita was found at one of the Linda Loma Drive apartments and taken into custody. Hyppolite was found at the Kimble Drive apartment and arrested. Sereme, Wilmane Jean, and Ductant also were arrested. In September 2012, Hyppolite, Bonita, Ductant, Wilmane Jean, Rick Jean, and Sereme were charged in a second-superseding, twelve-count indictment with conspiracy to manufacture, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of 280 grams or more of a substance containing cocaine base, in violation of 21 10 Case: 13-10471 Date Filed: 06/25/2015 Page: 11 of 37 U.S.C. § 846 (Count One), as well as a number of individual charges for distribution or possession with intent to distribute cocaine or crack cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C) (Counts Two-Twelve). Following a jury trial, all defendants were convicted and sentenced to imprisonment. 3 They raise various trial and sentencing issues on appeal.