Court Opinion

ID: 3084561
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 02:30:12.607368+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:50:43.142352
License: Public Domain

Opinion filed August 9, 2012

                                            In The

   Eleventh Court of Appeals
                                         __________

                                    No. 11-10-00354-CR
                                        __________

                       WAYNE EDWARD ALLEN, Appellant

                                               V.

                               STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                           On Appeal from the 29th District Court

                                   Palo Pinto County, Texas

                                Trial Court Cause No. 14276A

                           MEMORANDUM OPINION

       The jury convicted Wayne Edward Allen of engaging in organized criminal activity. The
trial court assessed his punishment at confinement in the Institutional Division of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice for a term of fifty years. The trial court additionally assessed a
fine of $10,000. Appellant challenges his conviction in a single point of error. We affirm.
                                       Background Facts
       Texas Ranger Michael Don Stoner worked as a narcotics agent in Palo Pinto and Parker
Counties in the fall of 2009 for the Criminal Investigation Division of the Texas Department of
Public Safety. While working undercover on September 11, 2009, he entered Jackie Lynn
Smith’s residence to purchase narcotics. Ranger Stoner encountered Robert Earl Jefferson Jr. at
Smith’s residence.    Ranger Stoner sought to purchase $200 worth of crack cocaine from
Jefferson. Ranger Stoner testified that, while he and Jefferson were completing the transaction,
Jefferson recognized him as a former classmate from high school. Ranger Stoner and Jefferson
had a discussion away from the others wherein Ranger Stoner asked Jefferson not to reveal his
identity to the others. Ranger Stoner also asked Jefferson to contact him later for the purpose of
getting Jefferson to assist Ranger Stoner in his investigation.
       Jefferson contacted Ranger Stoner on November 13, 2009, to provide information about
the distribution of crack cocaine in the Mineral Wells area. Ranger Stoner testified that Jefferson
provided him with the names of the individuals involved. Jefferson also identified the vehicles
used in the distribution process, and he informed Ranger Stoner that the drugs were being
obtained in Fort Worth. Jefferson also told Ranger Stoner the route that the suspects would take
to and from Fort Worth.
       Jefferson subsequently contacted Ranger Stoner on November 16, 2009, to inform him
that Smith, Isidore Krishna Bridgeforth, and Brian Dukes would be going that day to purchase
cocaine in Fort Worth. Jefferson further advised Ranger Stoner that the suspects would be
driving a maroon Dodge pickup.         Upon receiving this information, Ranger Stoner set up
surveillance on Smith’s residence in Mineral Wells. He observed Bridgeforth and Dukes loading
Smith into the Dodge pickup that Jefferson had described. Ranger Stoner knew Bridgeforth and
Smith on sight.      Smith needed their assistance getting into the vehicle because he was
handicapped.
       Ranger Stoner and two other undercover narcotics agents conducted “moving
surveillance” on Smith, Bridgeforth, and Dukes as they first ran some errands in Mineral Wells.
The suspects then exited Mineral Wells on FM 1195 driving through Millsap to Interstate 20 and
then to Fort Worth. After making several stops in Fort Worth, the suspects drove to a residence
on Harlem Street in Fort Worth. Ranger Stoner testified that the residence belonged to appellant.
He observed Bridgeforth and Dukes meeting with appellant in appellant’s front yard.
       The agents lost surveillance of Smith, Bridgeforth, and Dukes afterwards. Based upon
information provided by Jefferson, Ranger Stoner and the agents drove back toward Mineral
Wells on Interstate 20 in an attempt to reestablish surveillance. Ranger Stoner observed the

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Dodge pickup near the Brock exit. Ranger Stoner passed the suspects in the process of catching
up to them. He observed Bridgeforth driving the pickup. Ranger Stoner exited Interstate 20 via
the Brock exit, and the suspects did as well. While Ranger Stoner proceeded toward Millsap, the
suspects turned onto Fairview Road. Ranger Stoner dispatched another agent to follow the
suspects.
       Bridgeforth subsequently failed to negotiate a curve on Fairview Road, resulting in the
pickup striking a tree. When agents arrived on the scene of the accident, Bridgeforth and Dukes
were standing outside the pickup. Agents found a crack pipe in a nearby ditch and a rock of
crack cocaine in the bed of the pickup near the area where Bridgeforth was standing. While
agents arrested Bridgeforth for possession, Ranger Stoner spoke with Dukes away from the
others. Dukes told Ranger Stoner that the group had acquired drugs in Fort Worth. Dukes also
voluntarily removed a package containing crack cocaine from his sweatpants and gave it to
Ranger Stoner. Ranger Stoner did not arrest Dukes at that time. Agents also did not arrest
Smith. Instead, ambulance personnel transported Smith to the hospital for evaluation.
       Dukes came to see Ranger Stoner on November 17, 2009, to be interviewed. Dukes
agreed at that time to inform Ranger Stoner if anyone affiliated with Smith returned to Fort
Worth for more drugs. Dukes called Ranger Stoner on November 19, 2009, to tell him that a
group planned to return that day to Fort Worth for more drugs. Ranger Stoner established
surveillance on Smith’s residence at that time. He subsequently observed Billy Ray Herring
loading Smith into a white Dodge pickup.            Ranger Stoner also observed Wilbert Ratliff
accompanying Smith and Herring in the pickup.
       Ranger Stoner and other agents followed the suspects’ vehicle to Fort Worth. They
observed the suspects pulling into a church parking lot near appellant’s residence.      While
Herring looked under the hood of the pickup, Ratliff walked across the street to appellant’s
house. Ranger Stoner testified that Ratliff was observed meeting with appellant. After Ratliff
walked back to the pickup, the suspects drove back to Mineral Wells with Ranger Stoner and the
agents following them.
       As the suspects entered Mineral Wells, Ranger Stoner requested State Trooper Donnie
Wright and Mineral Wells Police Officer Scott Mitcham to stop them. Trooper Wright stopped
the vehicle for speeding. Trooper Wright initially spoke with Herring outside the vehicle.
Trooper Wright subsequently removed Ratliff from the vehicle. Trooper Wright made the

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decision to arrest Ratliff when he found a crack pipe on him.           As Trooper Wright was
handcuffing Ratliff, Ratliff threw a baggie of crack cocaine into a nearby ditch. Trooper Wright
permitted Herring and Smith to leave, and he transported Ratliff to the DPS office for Ranger
Stoner to interview him. Ratliff told Ranger Stoner that the drugs that he threw in the ditch came
from appellant.
       Ranger Stoner described appellant’s role in the organization as the supplier of the crack
cocaine. Ranger Stoner testified that Smith served as the connection to the source and supply.
Smith also orchestrated the transport of crack cocaine from Fort Worth and its distribution in
Mineral Wells. Ranger Stoner described the roles of Bridgeforth, Ratliff, Dukes, Herring, and
Jefferson as assisting with the transport and distribution of crack cocaine in Mineral Wells.
Ranger Stoner testified that the maroon Dodge pickup in which Bridgeforth, Dukes, and Smith
traveled on November 16 belonged to appellant and that appellant provided it to Smith to use in
traveling back and forth between Mineral Wells and Fort Worth.
       Jefferson testified that appellant initially delivered cocaine to Smith at his residence in
Mineral Wells and that he did so often. Jefferson also testified that appellant provided Smith
with the maroon Dodge pickup for the purpose of transporting the cocaine from Fort Worth to
Mineral Wells. Jefferson stated that he, Bridgeforth, Dukes, Ratliff, and Herring hung out at
Smith’s residence and that the money gleaned from the sale of cocaine went into Smith’s wallet.
       Dukes testified that Smith provided him with a place to stay and drugs on a daily basis.
He admitted to traveling with Smith and Bridgeforth to Fort Worth on November 16 to purchase
cocaine from appellant. Dukes testified that Smith accompanied them because it was his money
and he was the one purchasing the cocaine. Bridgeforth got the money from Smith to purchase
the drugs, and he put the cocaine in Smith’s coat pocket after the transaction occurred. Dukes
removed the drugs from Smith at Smith’s request after the wreck occurred. Dukes admitted to
possessing the drugs when the officers arrived at the scene of the wreck.
       When Dukes visited with Ranger Stoner the next day, he told Ranger Stoner about the
organization and said that Smith was the “kingpin.” Dukes testified that everyone helped Smith
because of his handicap. He stated that the group would go to Fort Worth several times a week
to resupply and that he went along on several occasions. Dukes testified that Smith wanted to
make the trip on November 19, 2009, to replace the drugs that were lost when Dukes was
arrested on November 16, 2009. Dukes also testified that he had observed appellant coming to

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Smith’s residence on several earlier occasions to deliver cocaine to Smith and that appellant gave
the maroon Dodge pickup to Smith so that appellant would not have to come to Mineral Wells.
         Ratliff testified that he lived with Smith because he needed a place to stay and Smith
needed assistance. Ratliff stated that Smith compensated him with a place to stay and later crack
cocaine. Ratliff testified that Smith contacted Herring on November 19 so that they could use
his pickup to travel to appellant’s residence in Fort Worth.                          Ratliff testified that Smith
accompanied them on November 19 because “[h]e’s the man that took care of the business, you
know.” Ratliff stated that they called appellant while en route and that he met appellant at his
door for the transaction. Ratliff also testified that Smith gave him the money to purchase the
drugs.
                                             Underlying Proceedings
         The grand jury indicted appellant, Smith, Bridgeforth, Herring, and Ratliff for engaging
in organized criminal activity. The indictment alleged that they collaborated in a combination to
carry out a conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to deliver. See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN.
§ 71.01 (West 2011), § 71.02 (West Supp. 2012). Appellant, Smith, and Bridgeforth were tried
together. The jury convicted all three of engaging in organized criminal activity.1
                                                    Point of Error
         In order to commit the offense of engaging in organized criminal activity, the actor must
not only agree to participate in a criminal combination but must also perform some overt act in
furtherance of that agreement. Barber v. State, 764 S.W.2d 232, 235 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).
The indictment alleged that appellant performed an overt act in pursuance of the agreement by
delivering a quantity of cocaine to Ratliff on or about November 19, 2009, in Tarrant County. In
a single point of error, appellant contends that Ratliff’s testimony on this matter was not
sufficiently corroborated.
                                                       Analysis
         Article 38.14 of the Code of Criminal Procedure provides that a conviction cannot be
upheld on the basis of accomplice testimony unless it is corroborated by “other evidence tending
to connect the defendant with the offense committed.” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 38.14
(West 2005). In reviewing the sufficiency of the corroborating evidence, we eliminate the

         1
         Smith’s appeal is docketed as Cause No. 11-10-00355-CR, and Bridgeforth’s appeal is docketed as Cause No. 11-10-
00356-CR.

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accomplice testimony from consideration and focus on the remaining portions of the record to
determine whether there is any evidence that tends to connect the defendant with the commission
of the crime. Solomon v. State, 49 S.W.3d 356, 361 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); Cathey v. State,
992 S.W.2d 460, 462–63 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). The corroborating evidence may be direct or
circumstantial and need not be sufficient by itself to establish the defendant’s guilt; it is
sufficient if the combined weight of the non-accomplice evidence tends to connect the defendant
to the offense. Solomon, 49 S.W.3d at 361; Gosch v. State, 829 S.W.2d 775, 777 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1991). A defendant’s mere presence at the scene of the crime is by itself insufficient
corroboration; however, presence combined with other suspicious circumstances may be enough
to tend to connect the defendant. Dowthitt v. State, 931 S.W.2d 244, 249 (Tex. Crim. App.
1996); Cox v. State, 830 S.W.2d 609, 611 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992). Similarly, evidence that the
defendant was in the presence of the accomplice at or near the time or place of the offense is
proper corroborating evidence. McDuff v. State, 939 S.W.2d 607, 612 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
       Appellant directs his challenge under Article 38.14 at Ratliff’s testimony pertaining to the
evidence of the alleged overt act involving him. As correctly determined by the trial court,
Ratliff was an accomplice as a matter of law because he was a person who participated before,
during, or after the commission of the crime. See Blake v. State, 971 S.W.2d 451, 454 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1998). Accordingly, the corroboration requirement of Article 38.14 applied to his
testimony.
       Ranger Stoner provided the bulk of the non-accomplice testimony in this case. He
testified that he observed Smith, Herring, and Ratliff leave Smith’s house on November 19 in the
same vehicle.   He testified that the agents followed them to the church parking lot near
appellant’s residence and that Ratliff “was observed” meeting with appellant.           On cross-
examination by appellant’s trial counsel, Ranger Stoner testified that Sergeant Cartwright was
the agent that observed Ratliff at appellant’s residence and saw Ratliff meet with a “heavyset
black male.” There are numerous references in the record that appellant was referred to as “Big
Man.” Additionally, Ranger Stoner testified that crack cocaine was recovered from Ratliff when
he returned to Mineral Wells.
       The non-accomplice testimony in this case sufficiently connected appellant to the
commission of the charged crime as well as the alleged overt act. The direct or circumstantial
non-accomplice evidence is sufficient corroboration if it shows that rational jurors could have

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found that it sufficiently tended to connect the accused to the offense. Smith v. State, 332
S.W.3d 425, 442 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011); Simmons v. State, 282 S.W.3d 504, 508 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2009). We defer to the factfinder’s resolution of the evidence in making this determination.
Smith, 332 S.W.3d at 442; Simmons, 282 S.W.3d at 508. Ranger Stoner’s testimony tended to
connect appellant to the overt act because it placed Ratliff at appellant’s home under suspicious
circumstances in the company of other participants engaging in the organized criminal activity.
Accordingly, there was sufficient evidence corroborating Ratliff’s testimony that appellant
delivered cocaine to him on November 19. Appellant’s sole point of error is overruled.
                                       This Court’s Ruling
       The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.

                                                             TERRY McCALL
                                                             JUSTICE

August 9, 2012
Do not publish. See TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).
Panel consists of: Wright, C.J.,
McCall, J., and Kalenak, J.

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