Court Opinion

ID: 52366
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-26 01:15:05+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:58:21.252830
License: Public Domain

[DO NOT PUBLISH]

             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                    FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT                    FILED
                      ________________________         U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                                                         ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                                                              April 10, 2007
                            No. 05-11910                  THOMAS K. KAHN
                        Non-Argument Calendar                 CLERK
                      ________________________

                  D. C. Docket No. 03-20678-CR-CMA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                           Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                  versus

JABORIE BROWN,
CORNELL ADLEY,
TRAVIS HORNE,
DERRICK HERRON,
ANTHONY WILLIAMS,

                                                       Defendants-Appellants.

                      ________________________

               Appeals from the United States District Court
                   for the Southern District of Florida
                     _________________________
                            (April 10, 2007)

Before BLACK, MARCUS and WILSON, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:
       Jaborie Brown, Cornell Adley, Travis Horne, Derrick Herron, and Anthony

Williams1 (collectively “the defendants”) challenge their convictions following a

jury trial in the Southern District of Florida. Horne also challenges his sentence of

365 months’ imprisonment.

       The government alleged twenty-two counts against the five defendants in a

superseding indictment, issued after Kiandree Glee, named in the original

indictment, pled guilty and agreed to cooperate with the government at trial. The

defendants were accused of committing a series of violent crimes, including a

number of armed robberies and home invasions, allegedly perpetrated to raise

enough money to purchase a large quantity of drugs in order to open and operate a

drug hole— an apartment where they would break the drugs up into smaller

quantities and sell it at a profit.

       The superseding indictment charged all five defendants with conspiracies

running from June 1997 to November 1999 to possess with intent to distribute

cocaine, to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and to use firearms in furtherance of drug

trafficking crimes and violent crimes. The indictment also included various

charges against the defendants individually, arising from related incidents, for

possession with intent to distribute cocaine, attempted Hobbs Act robbery, and

       1
           Brown and Williams are proceeding pro se.

                                                2
using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and crime of violence.

The jury found the defendants guilty of the conspiracy charges, and guilty as to

some of the individual charges. Brown, Herron, and Horne were each acquitted on

at least one of the individual charges for which they were indicted.

I.    Sufficiency of the Indictment

      On appeal, Williams and Brown argue that the superseding indictment was

defective because it failed to explicitly invoke the district court’s jurisdiction under

18 U.S.C. § 3231 and was not authentic based on the lack of a notary seal or court

clerk’s signature. Williams also asserts that the indictment’s Hobbs Act robbery

counts failed to state an offense because they had not alleged that he attempted to

obtain government property, did not allege that he had moved in interstate

commerce, and did not allege that the robberies substantially affected interstate

commerce.

      We review de novo the sufficiency of an indictment. United States v. Bobo,

344 F.3d 1076, 1083 (11th Cir. 2003). We also review de novo whether the district

court had subject matter jurisdiction. United States v. Giraldo-Prado, 150 F.3d
1328, 1329 (11th Cir. 1998) (per curiam).

      A motion alleging a defect in the indictment must be made before trial,

unless the alleged defect is a failure to invoke the district court’s jurisdiction or to

                                            3
state an offense. Fed. R. Crim. P. 12(b)(3)(B). “Congress has provided the district

courts with jurisdiction . . . of ‘all offenses against the laws of the United States.’”

Alikhani v. United States, 200 F.3d 732, 734 (11th Cir. 2000) (per curiam) (quoting

18 U.S.C. § 3231). Where an indictment charges a defendant with violating the

laws of the United States, § 3231 provides the district court with subject matter

jurisdiction and empowers it to enter judgment on the indictment. Id. at 734-35.

      There are two essential elements “for a Hobbs Act prosecution: robbery and

an effect on commerce.” United States v. Rodriguez, 218 F.3d 1243, 1244 (11th

Cir. 2000) (per curiam). “The government needs only establish a minimal effect

on interstate commerce to support a violation of the Hobbs Act.” Id. Robbery of

an individual violates the Hobbs Act when “(1) the crime depletes the assets of an

individual who is directly engaged in interstate commerce; (2) the crime causes the

individual to deplete the assets of an entity engaged in interstate commerce; or

(3) the number of individuals victimized or sums involved are so large that there

will be a cumulative impact on interstate commerce.” United States v. Diaz, 248
F.3d 1065, 1085 (11th Cir. 2001).

      The superseding indictment in this case was sufficient. It charged Brown

and Williams with violations of the laws of the United States: 18 U.S.C. §§ 2,

924(c)(1)(A)(i)–(iii), 924(o), 1951(a) and 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(ii),

                                            4
841(b)(1)(B)(ii), 846. This invoked the district court’s subject matter jurisdiction

under 18 U.S.C. § 3231. Alikhani, 200 F.3d at 734–35. Further, the conduct

alleged in the Hobbs Act robbery counts of the indictment against

Williams—conspiracy to obstruct, delay, and affect commerce by robbery and

attempt to obstruct, delay, and affect commerce by robbery of

cocaine—sufficiently stated violations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 1951(a). Neither theft of

government property, travel across state lines, nor actual substantial effect on

interstate commerce by a single crime are required for a violation of the Hobbs

Act. See Diaz, 248 F.3d at 1085. Williams’s argument regarding the authenticity

of the indictment was not raised before trial began, and is therefore barred by Fed.

R. Crim. P. 12(b)(3)(B).

II.   Sufficiency of the Evidence

      Brown, Herron, and Williams argue that there was insufficient evidence

presented for a reasonable jury to find them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Herron and Williams assert that the cases against them in general were solely based

on the testimony of cooperating co-defendant Glee, who was an untrustworthy

witness. Brown also notes Glee’s character flaws, but focuses on whether the

government was able to show his intent to conspire.

      We review de novo the sufficiency of evidence, viewing all evidence in the

                                           5
light most favorable to the government, to determine whether a reasonable jury

could conclude that the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. United

States v. Futrell, 209 F.3d 1286, 1288 (11th Cir. 2000) (per curiam); United States

v. Pedro, 999 F.2d 497, 500 (11th Cir. 1993).

      In general, to support a conspiracy conviction, the government must prove

that there was an agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime, that

the defendant knew of the conspiratorial goal, and that the defendant voluntarily

participated in furthering the goal. United States v. Jones, 913 F.2d 1552, 1557

(11th Cir. 1990).

      Even the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice is sufficient to support

a conviction if the testimony is not on its face incredible or otherwise insubstantial.

United States v. Le Quire, 943 F.2d 1554, 1562 (11th Cir. 1991). It is the jury’s

exclusive province to determine whether a witness was credible, and we do not

intrude on that province. United States v. Calderon, 127 F.3d 1314, 1325 (11th

Cir. 1997).

      There was sufficient evidence presented at trial for the jury to find Brown,

Herron, and Williams guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Glee testified about the

participation of all three men in the planning and commission of armed violent

crimes for the purpose of raising money for the drug hole. This testimony showed

                                           6
that Glee, Brown, and Adley were the original conspirators, that Herron was added

when Adley was arrested in late 1998, and that Williams was added when Herron

was removed from the group in mid-1999. With regards to Brown’s intent to

conspire, Glee specifically testified as to Brown’s participation in the planning of

crimes, that Brown was in charge of managing the pooled money prior to the

opening of the drug hole, and that Brown received a portion of the profits from the

drug hole once it was opened. As Glee’s testimony was not incredible on its face,

this was sufficient for the jury to find Brown, Herron, and Williams guilty beyond

a reasonable doubt. See Le Quire, 943 F.2d at 1562. Further, Glee’s testimony

was corroborated by a series of jailhouse informants, police officers involved in the

investigations of some of the overt acts, and the victims of those crimes.

III.   Severance

       Adley and Herron argue that the district court abused its discretion in

denying their motions to sever pro se co-defendants Brown and Williams and that

they were prejudiced by this denial. They assert that the district court failed to

prevent the possibility of prejudice because (1) it did not appoint standby counsel

for Williams; (2) it did not instruct the jury at the outset that anything said by a pro

se defendant in his ‘lawyer’ role was not evidence; and (3) Brown and Williams

ignored instructions that they would be held to the rules of evidence and that they

                                            7
were to avoid speaking in the first person.

      We review for an abuse of discretion the district court’s decision whether or

not to grant a severance. United States v. Knowles, 66 F.3d 1146, 1158 (11th Cir.

1995). “The general rule in this circuit is that defendants who are jointly indicted

should be tried together, and this rule has been held to be particularly applicable to

conspiracy cases.” United States v. Castillo-Valencia, 917 F.2d 494, 498 (11th

Cir. 1990). “To demonstrate that the district court abused its discretion, a showing

of ‘compelling prejudice’ is required. ‘Compelling prejudice’ exists where a

defendant can demonstrate that without severance, he was unable to receive a fair

trial, and the trial court could afford no protection from the prejudice suffered.”

Knowles, 66 F.3d at 1158-59. In determining prejudice, we consider whether the

jury was able to make individualized guilt determinations. Id. at 1158.

      We have “noted with approval” the steps suggested by the Second Circuit to

prevent the inherent possibility of prejudice from a trial involving both pro se and

counseled defendants becoming actual prejudice: “(1) appointing standby counsel;

(2) warning the pro se defendant that he will be held to the rules of law and

evidence; (3) admonishing the defendant that he should refrain from speaking in

the first person in his comments on the evidence; (4) instructing the jury prior to

closing remarks, during summation, and in final instructions that nothing the

                                           8
lawyers said is evidence in the case; and (5) making it clear to the jury at the outset

that anything the pro se defendant says in his ‘lawyer’ role is not evidence.” Id. at

1160 (discussing United States v. Sacco, 563 F.2d 552 (2d Cir. 1977)). However,

“these steps are suggestions, not requirements, for preventing the possibility of

prejudice from ripening into actuality.” United States v. Veteto, 701 F.2d 136, 139

(11th Cir. 1983).

      Because Adley and Herron cannot demonstrate prejudice, the district court

did not abuse its discretion in denying their motions to sever. As they

acknowledge, the district court followed several of the suggestions from Sacco,

appointing standby counsel for the pro se defendant who accepted it, warning the

pro se defendants that they were bound by the rules of evidence, and instructing

the jury that comments made by lawyers were not evidence. The specific

situations with potential prejudice that they note are (1) a single cross-examination

where Brown several times attempted to go beyond the scope of direct

examination, and the district court, therefore, sustained the government’s

objections to this effect; and (2) statements by Williams during closing arguments

that referenced educational and employment information about some of the jurors.

The district court minimized any potential prejudice from these incidents by

(1) subjecting the remainder of Brown’s questions to pre-approval outside of the

                                           9
presence of the jury; and (2) by preventing any further problematic statements by

Williams during closing arguments, inquiring of the jury to determine whether

their ability to render an impartial verdict had been impacted, and instructing them

that the defendants did not possess any personal information beyond that revealed

in the jury questionnaires, which had not included the jurors names, addresses, or

other identifying information.2 Further, the jury acquitted Brown, Herron, and

Horne of several of the charges against them, demonstrating a continued ability to

make individualized determinations as to guilt. See Knowles, 66 F.3d at 1158.

Accordingly, Adley and Herron have not demonstrated “compelling prejudice.”

IV.    Rule 404(b) Evidence

       Adley and Herron argue that the district court abused its discretion in

admitting evidence against them under Fed. R. Evid. 404(b). They argue that the

district court abused its discretion by admitting 404(b) evidence because the

       2
          In his sole argument on appeal, Horne asserts that the district court abused its discretion
in failing to conduct any jury inquiry following Williams’s remarks. This argument is without
merit because the district court did conduct an inquiry into the potential prejudicial effect of
Williams’s statements. To the extent that Williams attempts to argue in his reply brief that,
although there was an inquiry, the manner of the inquiry was insufficient, he has abandoned this
argument by failing to raise it in his initial brief. See United States v. Thomas, 242 F.3d 1028,
1033 (11th Cir. 2001). Even assuming that Horne’s argument is not abandoned, the district court
did not abuse its discretion by not interrogating each juror separately. Here, Horne has not made
“an adequate showing of extrinsic influence to overcome the presumption of jury impartiality,”
United States v. Cousins, 842 F.2d 1245, 1247 (11th Cir. 1988), and the district court’s inquiry
was sufficient under the circumstances. See United States v. Khoury, 539 F.2d 441, 443 (5th Cir.
1976) (district court's “discretion extends to the type of investigation required” to ascertain
whether jury is prejudiced).

                                                 10
government’s other evidence, if believed, clearly demonstrated intent; therefore,

the 404(b) evidence served no purpose other than to show criminal propensity and

bolster the credibility of government witnesses.

      We review the admission of Rule 404(b) evidence for an abuse of discretion.

United States v. Matthews (Matthews II), 431 F.3d 1296, 1311 (11th Cir.) (per

curiam), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 46 (2006).

      Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b) provides:

      Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove
      the character of a person in order to show action in conformity
      therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as
      proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge,
      identity, or absence of mistake or accident . . . .

In order to be admissible under this rule “the evidence must be relevant to an issue

other than the defendant’s character,” “the act must be established by sufficient

proof to permit a jury finding that the defendant committed the extrinsic act,” and

“the probative value of the evidence must not be substantially outweighed by its

undue prejudice.” Matthews II, 431 F.3d at 1310-11. Factors to be considered in

assessing whether the probative value of the evidence is substantially outweighed

by its unduly prejudicial impact “include the strength of the government’s case on

the issue of intent, the overall similarity of the extrinsic and charged offenses, the

amount of time separating the extrinsic and charged offenses and whether it

                                           11
appeared at the commencement of trial that the defendant would contest the issue

of intent.” United States v. Dorsey, 819 F.2d 1055, 1061 (11th Cir. 1987).

      Adley and Herron rely on United States v. Matthews (Matthews I), 411 F.3d
1210 (11th Cir. 2005), vacated by Matthews II, 431 F.3d 1296. In Matthews I, a

panel of this Court held that the district court abused its discretion in admitting

404(b) evidence of prior drug trafficking in order to prove intent in a later drug

conspiracy because it was “impossible for us to imagine a scenario under which the

jury could have found that Matthews committed any of the acts described by his

accusers and yet lacked the requisite guilty intent.” Matthews I, 411 F.3d at 1223-

25, 1228. The panel noted that the government’s true need for the evidence was

not to show intent, but rather to bolster the credibility of its own witnesses in their

testimony that the defendant had actually engaged in the actions he was accused of.

Id. at 1225. However, in Matthews II, we vacated the Matthews I opinion in its

entirety, and concluded that there was no abuse of discretion. Matthews II, 431
F.3d at 1298, 1312. In Matthews II, we held that in every conspiracy case, a plea

of not guilty renders the defendant’s intent a material issue, and evidence of

extrinsic acts may be probative unless the defendant affirmatively takes the issue of

intent out of the case. Id. at 1310-11.

      The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of Adley

                                           12
and Herron’s extrinsic acts. The act admitted against Adley under 404(b) was a

November 1994 carjacking committed with Brown, and Adley’s subsequent guilty

plea and convictions for attempted second degree murder with a firearm, attempted

first degree murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The evidence admitted against Herron under 404(b) was (1) a November 1999 no

contest plea to possession with intent to sell marijuana; (2) a July 2000 armed

carjacking that Herron participated in with Glee; (3) a January 2002 guilty plea to

possession with intent to sell marijuana; and (4) an August 2003 guilty plea to

marijuana distribution. Herron was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent

to distribute cocaine, and his not guilty plea to that charge rendered his intent a

material issue. Matthews II, 431 F.3d at 1310-11. Therefore, in the absence of any

action on Herron’s part to take the issue of intent out of the case, his prior

convictions for drug distribution are probative in demonstrating intent to conspire

to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. See id. Likewise, Adley and Herron

were charged with conspiracy to use a firearm in furtherance of a crime of

violence, and their not guilty pleas on that charge rendered their intent at issue and

their prior use of firearms in the commission of violent crimes probative to that

issue. See id.

      The certified convictions were sufficient to allow the jury to conclude that

                                           13
Adley and Herron had committed the 1994 carjacking and the 1999, 2002, and

2003 drug distribution crimes, respectively. Further, Glee’s testimony that Adley

told Glee about the 2000 carjacking and the victim’s testimony describing the

carjacking were sufficient for the jury to conclude that Adley had committed the

act. Finally, and especially in light of the district court’s limiting instructions,

Adley and Herron cannot show that the admission of evidence of their extrinsic

acts was more unduly prejudicial than it was probative.

V. Violation of Brady

       Herron argues that the district court abused its discretion in denying his post-

verdict motion for a new trial, which was based on asserted Brady v. Maryland,

373 U.S. 83, 83 S. Ct. 1194, 10 L. Ed. 2d 215 (1963), violations that were revealed

in the Presentence Investigation Report (“PSI”). Herron contends that while he

was able to cross-examine Glee with general impeachment information relating to

Glee’s criminal record and the benefits Glee expected to gain from testifying, there

was no evidence available at trial of specific falsehoods or inconsistencies in

Glee’s testimony. Herron claims that information provided to the probation officer

and revealed in the PSI included evidence specifically contradicting Glee’s trial

testimony, including Glee’s own statements to the police regarding the Collins

robbery and victim statements regarding the first Anderson robbery. Herron

                                            14
argues that there is a reasonable probability that, had this impeachment material

been available at trial, the result would have been different, especially because the

impeachment material included instances of Glee lying about the crimes in

question in order to avoid punishment.

      We review de novo whether a violation of Brady occurred below. United

States v. Schlei, 122 F.3d 944, 989 (11th Cir. 1997). We review the district court’s

findings of fact under the clearly erroneous standard. Stano v. Butterworth, 51
F.3d 942, 944 (11th Cir. 1995).

      The government violates a defendant’s right to due process when it

suppresses requested evidence that is favorable to the accused. United States v.

Newton, 44 F.3d 913, 918 (11th Cir. 1993). There is constitutional error, however,

only if the suppressed evidence is material; that is, if there is a reasonably

probability that disclosure would have produced a different result at trial. Id. In

order to obtain a new trial, a defendant alleging a violation of Brady must show

“(1) that the Government possessed evidence favorable to the defendant (including

impeachment evidence); (2) that the defendant did not possess the evidence nor

could he have obtained it himself with any reasonable diligence; (3) that the

prosecution suppressed the favorable evidence; and (4) that had the evidence been

revealed to the defense, there is a reasonable probability that the outcome of the

                                           15
proceedings would have been different.” Id.

      There was no Brady error in the district court. There was no Brady error

regarding the Collins robbery because the defendants were already in possession of

the information that Glee had lied in a sworn statement to the police after that

robbery. Even if Herron was not personally aware of the false statement prior to

trial, he could have obtained it from his co-defendants and he had ample

opportunity to cross-examine Glee when the information was revealed during

Glee’s testimony.

      There was no Brady violation regarding the relation of the first Anderson

home invasion as contained in the PSI. The district court made the factual

determination that the police report, relied upon in the PSI, describing the “first

Anderson home invasion,” was not related to the first robbery of the Anderson

residence described in testimony at trial. This factual finding was not clearly

erroneous. Therefore, the information in the police report, as revealed in the PSI,

was not material.

VI.   Use of Prior Convictions to Support Sentence Enhancements

      Herron argues that the district court erred in using his prior convictions to

enhance his sentence. He acknowledges that this argument is foreclosed, but

desires to preserve the issue.

                                          16
      We review de novo constitutional challenges to a sentence. United States v.

Cantellano, 430 F.3d 1142, 1144 (11th Cir.) (per curiam), cert. denied, 126 S. Ct.
1604, 164 L. Ed. 2d 325 (2006). As Herron acknowledges, we have repeatedly

held that Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 118 S. Ct. 1219, 140
L. Ed. 2d 350 (1998), is still good law. United States v. Greer, 440 F.3d 1267,

1273-74 (11th Cir. 2006). Accordingly, the district court did not err in finding that

Herron had prior convictions and using them to enhance Herron’s sentence.

VII. The Reasonableness of Herron’s Sentence

      Herron argues that his sentence was unreasonable because the district court

failed to consider the 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors. He asserts that, in sentencing

him to an “excessive and not reasonable” 365 months’ imprisonment, at the upper

end of the guidelines range, the district court ignored the facts he had presented.

      “After the district court has accurately calculated the Guideline range,” we

review the final sentence for reasonableness. United States v. Winingear, 422 F.3d
1241, 1244 (11th Cir. 2005) (per curiam). The factors that act as a guide in

determining whether a sentence was reasonable are found in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).

Id. at 1246. “These factors include the available sentences, the applicable

Guideline range, the nature and circumstances of the offense, and the need for the

sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offense, promote respect for the law,

                                          17
provide just punishment for the offense, and provide the defendant with needed

medical care.” Id. Other factors are the need for the sentence to protect the

community from the defendant and “the need to avoid unwarranted sentence

disparities among defendants with similar records who have been found guilty of

similar conduct.” 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). A sentence within the guidelines range is

neither per se reasonable, United States v. Talley, 431 F.3d 784, 786-88 (11th Cir.

2005) (per curiam), nor entitled to a presumption of reasonableness, United States

v. Hunt, 459 F.3d 1180, 1184 (11th Cir. 2006).

      “After Booker, a sentence may be reviewed for procedural or substantive

unreasonableness. A sentence may be unreasonable if it is the product of a

procedure that does not follow Booker’s requirements, regardless of the actual

sentence.” Hunt, 459 F.3d at 1182 n3. “[W]hen the district court considers the

factors of § 3553(a), it need not discuss each of them.” Talley, 431 F.3d at 786.

“[A]n acknowledgment by the district court that it has considered the defendant’s

argument and the factors in § 3553(a) is sufficient.” Id.

      The district court here correctly calculated the guideline range, and although

it did not explicitly state that it was considering the § 3553(a) factors, it did so in

fashioning its sentence. The district court heard the government’s arguments

regarding Herron’s criminal history, the need to avoid sentencing disparity

                                            18
between Herron and his co-defendants, Herron’s continued criminal conduct after

the instant offenses, and the violent nature of some of Herron’s crimes committed

in furtherance of the instant conspiracies. The district court also heard Herron’s

arguments about his background, criminal history, the possibility of rehabilitation

after prison, and the court’s authority to use a lengthy term of supervised release to

protect the community after Herron was released from prison. Further, in

pronouncing the sentence, the district court noted that the sentence was at the top

of the guideline range and was appropriate to meet the sentencing objectives of

punishment, deterrence, and protection of the community. Thus, in sentencing

Herron, the district court considered the guideline range, the kinds of sentences

available, the nature and circumstances of the offenses, and the need for the

sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offenses, provide just punishment, and

protect the community. See U.S.C. § 3553(a). In addition, Herron’s 365-month

sentence was substantially less than the statutory maximum of life imprisonment.

Therefore, Herron’s sentence was both procedurally and substantively reasonable.

      After careful consideration of the briefs of the parties, and thorough review

of the record, we find no reversible error. Accordingly, we affirm the convictions

and sentences of Adley, Brown, Herron, Horne, and Williams.

      AFFIRMED.

                                          19