Court Opinion

ID: 2995864
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-24 19:23:02.421737+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:45:27.198266
License: Public Domain

In the
 United States Court of Appeals
                 For the Seventh Circuit
                         ____________

Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
                                                Plaintiff-Appellee,
                                v.

REINALDO A. AROCHO, MARC FLORES and JESSE COLON,
                                          Defendants-Appellants.
                         ____________
            Appeals from the United States District Court
      for the Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division.
               No. 98 CR 103—James T. Moody, Judge.
                         ____________
     ARGUED JUNE 6, 2002—DECIDED SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
                         ____________

 Before EASTERBROOK, MANION, and KANNE, Circuit Judges.
  MANION, Circuit Judge. Reinaldo Arocho, Marc Flores
and Jesse Colon were convicted of conspiring to distribute
crack cocaine, as well as other drug-related offenses. The
defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment rang-
ing from 240 months to life in prison. The defendants ap-
peal their convictions and sentences. We affirm.
2                             Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

                                I.
  In July 1998, Reinaldo A. Arocho, Marc Flores, Jesse
                                            1
Colon, Dennis Allen and John C. Spann were arrested
pursuant to a criminal complaint alleging various drug-
related offenses. A grand jury subsequently returned an
eight-count superseding indictment charging the five with
various criminal violations. Three counts specifically named
Colon: Count 3 charged Colon with possession with in-
tent to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine on
January 29, 1998, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1);
Count 4 charged Colon with possession with intent to
distribute heroin, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); and
Count 6 charged Colon with carrying a firearm dur-
ing a drug trafficking offense, in violation of 18 U.S.C.
§ 924(c). Four counts named all five co-defendants: Count 1
charged conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of
crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846; Count 2
charged that they maintained a crack house, in violation
of 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1); Count 5 charged possession with
intent to distribute five grams or more of crack cocaine
on July 2, 1998, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); and
Count 7 charged them with carrying a firearm during
the drug trafficking offense of possession with intent to
distribute crack cocaine, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).
Finally, Count 8 charged Arocho and Colon with attempt-
ing to corruptly influence the testimony of a witness, in
violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1). This charge stemmed
from Arocho and Colon’s alleged attempt to persuade
Dennis Allen to sign a false statement about the case after
he had begun cooperating with the government.

1
    This case involves only Flores, Colon and Arocho’s appeals.
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                                  3

  Arocho, Flores and Colon (hereinafter jointly referred to
                                                              2
as “appellants”) pleaded not guilty and proceeded to trial.
Allen, pursuant to a plea agreement with the government,
pleaded guilty to Count 1, and the remaining counts were
dismissed. Allen then testified at the trial against his former
co-conspirators. At trial, the jury heard Allen testify that
Colon sold crack out of a house located at 1105 Clay Street
in Gary, Indiana. Other witnesses (who were former “cus-
tomers” of the appellants) corroborated Allen’s assertion by
testifying that they purchased crack from Colon, and
sometimes other individuals, at the 1105 Clay Street loca-
tion. The jury heard additional testimony from Allen and
others that Colon cooked the crack, cut it into rocks, pack-
aged it, and that if the operation ran out of inventory,
Colon replenished the crack supply. The testimony also
established that Colon was in charge of the drug opera-
tions at 1105 Clay Street. The witnesses further testified
that there were several firearms present at the home dur-
ing the drug transactions, and that Colon had used a fire-
arm to threaten one of his neighbors.
  In addition to this testimony, the jury heard from Chad
Pante, a former customer of the appellants, who later
became an informant for the Lake County Drug Task
Force (“Task Force”). As an informant, Pante made four
controlled purchases of crack from 1105 Clay Street, the
last of which he made directly from Colon. After the

2
  The case against Spann was severed after the district court
determined that he suffered from a mental disease or defect
rendering him unable to understand the nature and consequences
of the proceedings against him and unable to assist in his defense.
The district court ordered Spann hospitalized and provided
treatment after which time the court would determine whether
Spann had attained the capacity necessary for trial to proceed.
4                          Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

controlled purchases, the Task Force obtained a search
warrant for 1105 Clay Street. On January 29, 1998, the Task
Force executed the search warrant, recovering 44.7 grams
of heroin in a dresser, fourteen bags of crack cocaine in
a leather jacket in a bedroom closet, and an electronic
scale capable of measuring hundredths of a gram. The
officers also recovered numerous firearms, including a
loaded semiautomatic pistol located on the couch in the
living room.
   Following the search, Colon was arrested but later
released, although it is unclear from the record the charges
filed or the basis for his release. In any event, after his
release, Colon continued to sell drugs from 1105 Clay
Street, and at some point he expanded his operations to
the residence attached to 1105 Clay Street, 1113 Clay
Street, a house owned by William Price. When Price con-
fronted Colon about his operation, Colon threatened
Price with a gun and told Price that he wasn’t leaving.
Notwithstanding this threat, on June 26, 1998 Price
called the Gary Police and informed them of Colon’s drug
dealing and threats. The police responded to Price’s com-
plaint, going to 1105 Clay Street. Dennis Allen answered
the door. After identifying themselves, the officers asked
if they could come in and Allen allowed them to enter.
In doing so, Allen told the officers that no one else was
home. Once inside, the officers saw a package of marijuana
lying on the floor. At that point, appellant Marc Flores
walked out of the kitchen. Now knowing that drugs were
involved and that Allen was not alone in the house, the
police immediately conducted a protective sweep of the
residence. In the kitchen on a table, the officers found
packaging material near a plate on which there were sev-
eral rocks of crack cocaine and a razor blade. Upstairs they
found a .38 caliber revolver.
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                             5

  Upon recovering this evidence of drug trafficking, the
Gary Police turned the case over to the FBI’s Gary Response
Investigative Team, commonly referred to as GRIT. GRIT
then obtained a search warrant for 1105 Clay Street, execut-
ing it on July 2, 1998. During the search, GRIT discovered
on the floor of a bedroom 6.5 grams of rock cocaine, $167
in cash, and a crack pipe. The officers also recovered sev-
eral documents bearing Colon’s name and the address
of 1105 Clay Street. In the kitchen, the officers found bak-
ing soda and implements commonly used for cooking
crack, and in the attic they recovered a .22 caliber revolver.
   At trial, the government presented additional evidence
pertaining to the charges against Flores and Arocho.
Specifically, the government presented Price’s testimony
that he had seen Marc Flores going into 1105 Clay Street
in both May and June. Allen also testified that on June 26,
the day of the second search of 1105 Clay Street, Flores
had been selling marijuana from the house. Additionally,
Allen testified that both Flores and Arocho sold crack for
Colon, answered the door for customers, collected their
money and then handed out the crack. Allen also ex-
plained that if they ran out of drugs, they would page
Colon who would return with more. Additionally, Allen
testified that Flores would sometimes stand outside as a
lookout, and that Arocho would help cook and cut the
crack. The evidence also established that Arocho had
firearms during the transactions and that Flores would
handle Colon and Arocho’s guns during various drug
transactions as well. Finally, Allen testified that Arocho
was in charge of the drug operation when Colon was away
from the house.
  Based on this evidence, the jury convicted the appel-
lants on all counts. On January 19, 2000 Flores was sen-
tenced to 262 months’ imprisonment on Counts 1 and 5, and
6                          Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

240 months’ imprisonment on Count 2, all to be served
concurrently, and a consecutive sentence of 60 months on
Count 7, for a total prison term of 322 months. Arocho was
sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 327 months on
Counts 1 and 5, 240 months on Count 2, and 120 months
on Count 8, all to be served concurrently, and a consecu-
tive sentence of 60 months on Count 7, for a total term
of imprisonment of 387 months.
  Colon’s sentencing hearing was scheduled for February
3, 2000. While waiting for the hearing, Allen, who was
scheduled to testify on the government’s behalf, informed
the government that he thought he recognized one of the
jurors who had sat during the trial. The government
immediately informed the court of this disclosure. The
court decided to sentence Colon first and then inquire
into this issue. The court sentenced Colon to life imprison-
ment on Counts 1 and 3, 240 months on Counts 2 and 4,
480 months on Count 5, and 120 months on Count 8, all
to be served concurrently, plus consecutive sentences of
five years on Count 6 and 20 years on Count 7 for a total
sentence of life plus 25 years.
  After sentencing Colon, the district court then questioned
Allen as to his knowledge of one of the jurors. Allen ex-
plained that he was about “fifty percent” sure that he
recognized one of the jurors as his former landlord, Alvin
Mickens—although Allen identified the juror as Alvin
“Macklin.” Mickens was later called back to court and
asked further questions about his relationship with Allen.
In response to detailed questions, Mickens explained that
Allen’s girlfriend or wife (he wasn’t sure which) lived in
an apartment owned by his grandparents, and that he
may have spoken to Allen on about five occasions for a
total of approximately 30 minutes. The appellants filed
a motion for a new trial based on Mickens’ relationship
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                             7

with Allen, arguing that Mickens had not honestly an-
swered the pre-trial voir dire questions. However, during
that voir dire Mickens did disclose that he knew Allen
and that they had lived in the same building. Accordingly,
the district court denied the appellants’ motion for a new
trial. They now appeal from this denial, as well as chal-
lenge their convictions and sentences on other grounds.

                             II.
   On appeal, the appellants first argue that the district
court erred in denying their motion for a new trial based
on juror Mickens’ knowledge of Allen. The appellants
also challenge the district court’s evidentiary ruling prohib-
iting them from inquiring into the specific reduction in
sentence or sentencing range that Allen and another cooper-
ating witness, Carmen Hernandez, received for testifying
on behalf of the government. Additionally, all of the ap-
pellants challenge the constitutionality of 21 U.S.C. § 841
and, alternatively, Colon challenges his sentence based on
the Supreme Court’s decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530
U.S. 466 (2000). Colon and Arocho also argue that the
evidence was insufficient to support their convictions for
witness tampering. Colon, in a pro se supplemental brief,
further argues that Congress exceeded its power to regulate
commerce in passing 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (Using a Firearm
During the Commission of a Drug Offense) and 21 U.S.C.
§ 856(a)(1) (Maintaining a Drug House Offense), and that
under United States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995), those
statutes are unconstitutional. Finally, Flores maintains
that the district court erred in refusing to grant him a
sentencing reduction pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2 for being
a minor or minimal participant.
8                            Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

A. Motion for a New Trial
  The appellants first contend that they are entitled to a
new trial because juror Mickens did not honestly respond
to questions during voir dire. To obtain a new trial on this
basis, a party must demonstrate that a juror failed to an-
swer honestly a material question on voir dire, and that
had the juror provided the correct response, that response
would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for
cause. See McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v. Greenwood,
464 U.S. 548, 556 (1984); United States v. May, 214 F.3d 900,
907 (7th Cir. 2000). The district court denied the appel-
lants’ motion for a new trial, concluding that they had “not
shown that juror Mickens’ answers to voir dire ques-
tions were in any respect not true. . . .” We review this
decision for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Reed, 875
F.2d 107, 113 (7th Cir. 1989).
  Like the district court, we begin by asking whether
Mickens failed to honestly answer a material question
at voir dire, and only if we answer that question in the
affirmative do we proceed to the second prong and de-
termine whether the response would have provided a valid
basis to challenge the juror for cause. To begin this in-
quiry, we turn to the voir dire process that took place in this
case.
  In this case, the district court judge began voir dire by
randomly selecting twelve prospective jurors and seat-
ing them in the jury box, with the other potential jurors
remaining in the gallery area. Before questioning those
in the jury box, the district court directed the remain-
ing venire in the gallery area to listen carefully to his ques-
tions in case they were called to the jury box as a potential
juror. One of the questions the court asked prospec-
tive jurors was whether they had any knowledge of or
relationship to any of the people on the witness list. At
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                          9

this time, Mickens was seated in the gallery area. Nearly
four hours later, Mickens moved to the jury box, at which
time he volunteered to the court that he would have an-
swered “yes” to one of the court’s prior questions. Mickens
informed the court that he recognized one of the names
from the list of prospective witnesses—an individual named
Dennis Allen. The following colloquy then took place
between the court and Mickens:
   Q: . . . You know a Dennis Allen?
   A: There was a Dennis Allen that lived in the same
      building I lived in a couple months ago.
   Q: Do you know how old your Dennis Allen is approx-
      imately?
   A: Guess in his forties. I have—
   Q: In his forties. And what city?
   A: Gary.
   Q: What part of Gary?
   A: Mid-town.
     The court: Is that the same Dennis Allen?
     AUSA Benson: We need a better description, judge.
   Q: Can you give us a better description of the Dennis
      Allen that you know. Approximate height?
   A: Three daughters, that’s all I know.
   Q: I’m sorry?
   A: He has three daughters in the same building.
     The court: Is that the same one?
     AUSU Benson: Could be.
   Q: Okay, if it is the same one, can you tell me how
      you know him again?
10                           Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

     A: He lived in the same building, apartment building
        that I lived in.
     Q: Do you have any contact with him?
     A: (Witness shakes head.)
     Q: Did you ever talk with him?
     A: On occasion.
     Q: On occasions?
     A: In passing.
     Q: Okay. If he were to testify as a witness in this case,
        could you treat his testimony just like you could
        the testimony of any other person?
     A: Sure.
     Q: Okay. He’s not a friend or acquaintance of yours
        that you frequently do anything with? You’re just
        seeing him in passing?
     A: (Witness nods head.)
  After this exchange, the district court asked the gov-
ernment and the defendants whether they wanted to ask
any further questions. They all declined. Mickens was
then accepted as an alternate juror. However, a juror was
excused during the course of trial, and therefore Mickens
eventually participated in the jury’s deliberations.
  At oral argument, we asked the appellants’ attorney to
identify the specific response from this colloquy that was
false. He could not do so. That is enough to doom their
argument. Nevertheless, the appellants argue that Mickens
did not honestly respond to the voir dire questions be-
cause he did not detail the extent of his “in passing”
relationship with Allen, as he did when subsequently and
specifically questioned by the attorneys and the court
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                                11

following sentencing. However, these additional details
do not further their argument because they confirm the
truthfulness of Mickens’ voir dire responses. Specifically,
during further questioning by the court after Colon’s sen-
tencing, Mickens explained that his grandparents owned
a building with four apartments, and that he lived in one
of the apartments. He explained that Evelyn Russell lived
in another apartment with her three daughters, and that
Russell was either Allen’s girlfriend or wife. Mickens also
explained that he helped his grandparents with rent col-
lection issues, and that eviction proceedings were filed
against Russell when she failed to pay rent. But Allen was
neither a party to the lease nor involved in the lawsuit
in any manner. Upon further inquiry, Mickens also in-
formed the court that he had been in contact with Allen
less than five times totaling approximately 30 or 40 min-
utes. Mickens further explained that when Allen entered
the courtroom to testify at the appellants’ trial, he did
not recognize Allen right away, but did so after looking
at him a while.
  This testimony is consistent with the answers Mickens
                      3
gave during voir dire. Furthermore, the appellants’ trial

3
   While the appellants do not focus on it, there was one possible
conflict. During voir dire, Mickens stated that Allen lived in
the same apartment complex, but when recalled to court after
the trial, Mickens claimed that Allen’s girlfriend lived in the
apartment and denied knowing whether Allen ever stayed over.
The district court concluded that this apparent conflict likely
resulted from Mickens’ “hyper-vigilian[ce] in answering ques-
tions” upon being recalled to court and in doing so distinguish-
ing between staying somewhere and living somewhere. Thus,
as the court reasoned, Mickens “denied that Allen ‘lived’ in
the building because Allen was not a party to the lease and,
                                                    (continued...)
12                           Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

attorneys had an opportunity to ask Mickens what he meant
by “in passing” during voir dire, but chose not to. They
cannot now “sandbag” the government by spinning the
subjectivity of Mickens’ response into a lie. See, e.g., Artis
v. Hitachi Zosen Clearing, Inc., 967 F.2d 1132, 1142 (7th Cir.
1992) (where juror revealed in voir dire that he had been
a plaintiff in a personal injury suit and involved in union
affairs, the defense attorneys’ failure to further question
the juror as to union involvement until after the jury re-
turned an unfavorable verdict looked like sandbagging).
Moreover, given that Allen did not even recognize
Mickens in the courtroom for some time, and then was
only 50% sure that he recognized him, and even then
thought his name was “Macklin,” we believe that the “in
passing” characterization of the men’s relationship was
appropriate. Under these circumstances, we conclude
that the district court did not abuse its discretion in deny-
ing the appellants’ motion for a new trial on the basis of
Mickens’ voir dire responses.

B. Limitations in Cross-Examinations
  The appellants next argue that the district court erred in
limiting their cross-examination of Allen and Hernandez.

3
   (...continued)
although he apparently presumed that Allen spent his nights
in the apartment with Russel, he lacked actual knowledge
that that was true.” Moreover, any potential conflict was im-
material given that Mickens’ voir dire testimony disclosed a
greater connection to Allen than did Mickens’ more detailed
explanation at the hearing which followed the appellants’
sentencing. See McDonough, 464 U.S. at 556 (to obtain a new
trial, a party must demonstrate that a juror failed to answer
honestly a material question during voir dire) (emphasis added).
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                           13

Both Allen and Hernandez had been charged with numer-
ous counts of drug-related offenses, but they subsequently
entered into plea agreements. Pursuant to their plea agree-
ments, Allen and Hernandez pleaded guilty to one count
of conspiracy and agreed to cooperate with the govern-
ment’s prosecution of the appellants. The jury heard evi-
dence as to the plea agreement, and learned that in ex-
change for their testimony, the government had dismissed
several counts against Allen and Hernandez. The jury also
learned that Allen and Hernandez expected to receive
a substantial benefit at their sentencing for testifying
against the appellants. However, the appellants wanted
to question Allen and Hernandez in more detail as to the
specific sentences and the sentencing guideline ranges
they faced both before and after their cooperation with
the government. The government filed a motion in limine
to prevent this line of inquiry, and the district court
granted that motion, reasoning that such testimony would
improperly alert the jury to the potential sentences the
defendants on trial faced if convicted. The appellants now
appeal the district court’s limitation on their cross-exam-
ination of Allen and Hernandez.
  A trial court’s restriction or limitation of cross-examina-
tion is reviewed for an abuse of discretion, unless the
restriction impacts the defendant’s Sixth Amendment
right to confrontation, and then the review is de novo.
United States v. Cueto, 151 F.3d 620, 638 (7th Cir. 1998). A
district court “may reasonably limit the scope and extent
of cross-examination based on concerns about things like
harassment, prejudice, confusion of the issues, or inter-
rogation that is repetitive or only marginally relevant.”
United States v. Cavender, 228 F.3d 792, 798 (7th Cir. 2000).
Thus, “[s]o long as cross-examination elicits adequate
information to allow a jury to assess a witness’ credibility,
motives, or possible bias, the Sixth Amendment is not com-
14                          Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

promised by a limitation on cross-examination.” Cueto, 151
F.3d at 638.
  In this case, the appellants were able to elicit sufficient
information to allow the jury to assess Allen and Her-
nandez’s credibility, motives and bias. Specifically, the jury
learned that in exchange for their cooperation the gov-
ernment dismissed other pending criminal counts and
that they expected to receive substantial benefits at sen-
tencing for their testimony. Additionally, the jury was in-
structed that they should consider Allen and Hernandez’s
testimony “with caution and great care” because of these
benefits. Accordingly, the district court’s ruling restrict-
ing testimony about the specific sentencing guideline
ranges and sentences did not impact the appellants’ Sixth
Amendment rights. See, e.g., Cueto, 151 F.3d at 638 (hold-
ing that the defendants had ample opportunity to demon-
strate lack of credibility and therefore the district court’s
limitation on cross-examination did not implicate the
Sixth Amendment).
  The only remaining question then is whether the dis-
trict court abused its discretion in prohibiting testimony
about the specific guideline range and sentence. We hold
that it was not, for several reasons. First, the jury was
aware that Allen and Hernandez were benefitting greatly
by testifying, and therefore any additional testimony, at
best, was only marginally relevant. Second, this testimony
would place before the jury information from which it
could infer the potential sentences the appellants faced
and that could improperly sway the jury. See, e.g., United
States v. Xheka, 704 F.2d 974, 984 (7th Cir. 1983) (holding
that the district court did not abuse its discretion in pro-
hibiting questions on cross-examination which would
elicit the maximum penalty the witness faced if convicted).
See also, United States v. Alvarez, 987 F.2d 77, 82 (1st Cir.
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                                 15

1993) (cross-examination as to sentence witness potentially
faced would mislead or confuse the jury where the de-
fendant on trial faced the same penalties). Moreover, to
the extent the appellants wanted to question Allen and
Hernandez as to the sentencing guideline provisions, that
detailed inquiry could place in dispute many side issues,
and could also confuse the jury as to the real issue at
hand. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the
district court did not abuse its discretion in precluding
a more specific line of inquiry into the applicable guide-
line ranges or the specific sentences Allen and Hernan-
dez faced, especially in light of the jury instruction cau-
tioning the jury to consider their testimony with great cau-
tion. See, e.g., Alvarez, 987 F.2d at 82 (holding that the district
court did not abuse its discretion in barring a witness
from testifying as to the precise penalty he could face
if convicted of drug trafficking where the witness faced
the same charges and penalties as the defendants on trial).
See also, United States v. Fitzgerald, 579 F.2d 1014 (7th Cir.
1978) (holding that the district court did not abuse its
discretion in prohibiting cross-examination of witness as
to the potential sentence the witness faced).

C. Apprendi Issues
  The appellants next all argue that 21 U.S.C. § 841 is
unconstitutional in light of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530
U.S. 466 (2000), and appellant Colon argues in the alterna-
tive that his sentence violated Apprendi because the judge
rather than the jury determined the quantity of drugs
involved in his offense.
  In Apprendi, the Supreme Court held that “factors which
subject a defendant to an enhanced penalty, except prior
felony convictions, are elements of the crime that must
16                           Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

be charged in the indictment, submitted to the jury, and
proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Booker,
260 F.3d 820, 822 (7th Cir. 2001) (citing Apprendi). Thus, if
the quantity of drugs involved has the effect of increas-
ing the defendant’s sentence above the statutory maxi-
mum term of imprisonment, the issue must be submitted
to a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt. See United
States v. Nance, 236 F.3d 820, 824-25 (7th Cir. 2000).
  The appellants argue that Section 841 is unconstitutional
after Apprendi. As noted here, Apprendi requires a jury to
find beyond a reasonable doubt a factor which subjects
a defendant to an enhanced sentence. Appellants main-
tain that because Section 841 neither sets forth this bur-
den of persuasion nor allocates which issues should be
decided by a jury or a judge, it is unconstitutional. We
rejected that argument in United States v. Brough, 243 F.3d
1078 (7th Cir. 2001), holding that “[t]here is no constitutional
defect in the design of § 841 and . . . there is no impediment
to convictions under the statute” id. at 1080 because Sec-
tion 841 was written broadly enough to allow the judiciary
to apply it in the manner required by Apprendi. Id. at 1079.
  In their opening brief, the appellants ask us to recon-
sider our decision in Brough based on the Ninth Circuit’s
decision in United States v. Buckland, 259 F.3d 1157 (9th Cir.
2001), which held that Section 841 was unconstitutional. Id.
at 1168. However, the Ninth Circuit, sitting en banc, re-
versed the panel’s decision in Buckland and upheld the
constitutionality of Section 841. United States v. Buckland,
289 F.3d 558 (9th Cir. 2002), overruling United States v.
Nordby, 225 F.3d 1053 (9th Cir. 2000), and Arreguin v. Prunty,
208 F.3d 835 (9th Cir. 2000). Moreover, every other circuit
to consider the issue has concluded that Section 841 re-
mains constitutional after Apprendi. United States v. Outen,
286 F.3d 622, 634 (2d Cir. 2002) (collecting cases). See also
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                                 17

United States v. Palmer, 297 F.3d 760, 767 (8th Cir. 2002)
(wherein the Eighth Circuit joins the consensus of other
circuits holding that Apprendi does not render Section 841
unconstitutional). There is no reason to revisit our deci-
sion in Brough that Section 841 is constitutional.
 Alternatively, Colon argues that his sentence violated
Apprendi because the judge, rather than the jury, deter-
                                                       4
mined the quantity of drugs involved in his offenses.

4
   While Flores challenges the constitutionality of Section 841
in light of Apprendi, he does not claim that his sentence violated
Apprendi because the judge, rather than the jury, determined the
quantity of drugs involved in his offense. Nor would such a
challenge succeed because the evidence established beyond a
reasonable doubt that Flores was responsible for at least five
grams of crack cocaine—the amount of crack required to raise
the maximum statutory penalty to 40 years, which exceeds the
262-month sentence Flores received on counts 1 and 5. Likewise,
Arocho does not seem to challenge the district court’s deter-
mination of the quantity of drugs involved in his offense based
on Apprendi, although in the joint appellee brief for Colon and
Arocho, their attorney argues that “defendants’ case should
be reversed and remanded for a new sentencing hearing” be-
cause “[u]nder Apprendi, the determination of the amount of
drugs attributable to the defendant must be submitted to the jury.”
It is unclear from this language whether both Colon and Arocho
are attempting to challenge their sentence based on Apprendi.
However, in addressing this issue, only Colon’s sentence is
discussed; no mention is made of Arocho’s sentence. Nor is
there any analysis of Arocho’s sentence under Apprendi. Thus,
to the extent Arocho sought to challenge his sentence based
on Apprendi, he has waived the argument. In any event, any
Apprendi claim would fail: Arocho was sentenced to 327 months
on Counts 1 and 5, and concurrent sentences of 240 months and
120 months on Counts 2 and 8. Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C),
                                                     (continued...)
18                            Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

Colon did not raise this issue during his trial or sentenc-
ing, and therefore we review for plain error. United States
v. Martinez, 289 F.3d 1023, 1027 (7th Cir. 2002). “Under
this standard, [the appellant] must establish (1) there was
error; (2) the error was plain; (3) the error affected a sub-
stantial right; and (4) the error seriously affected the fair-
ness, integrity, or public reputation of the judicial proceed-
ings.” Id.
  In this case, the district court sentenced Colon to life
imprisonment after finding him responsible for more than
1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine and 44.7 grams of heroin.
Applying Apprendi, the district court erred in failing to
submit the issue of the quantity of drugs to the jury. We
have held such an error to be plain and to affect the sub-
stantial rights of the defendant. See United States v. Adkins,
274 F.3d 444, 455 (7th Cir. 2001) (holding that in light of
Apprendi, failure to submit quantity of drug issue to jury
constituted error and “error is plain, and that the error,
which added seven years to [defendant’s] sentence af-
fected a substantial right . . .”). However, if it is clear be-
yond a reasonable doubt that a properly instructed jury
would have found the defendant responsible for the req-
uisite quantity of drugs, the error does not “seriously af-

4
   (...continued)
Arocho faced a maximum penalty for each of Counts 1 and 5
of 360 months’ imprisonment because he had a prior convic-
tion for drug dealing. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C). Therefore,
Arocho’s sentence did not exceed the statutory maximum, and
no Apprendi violation occurred. See United States v. Brumfield,
Nos. 01-3752, 01-4130 *7 (7th Cir. July 29, 2002) (If a defendant’s
sentence does not exceed the statutory maximum, there is
no Apprendi violation even if the district court held the de-
fendant “accountable for drug quantities that were not submit-
ted to a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”).
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                             19

fect the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of the
judicial proceeding.” Id. Rather, any such error would be
harmless. United States v. Booker, 260 F.3d 820, 822 (7th Cir.
2001).
  In this case, under Section 841(b)(1)(A), a defendant
may be sentenced to life imprisonment if the quantity of
crack involved totals fifty grams or more. 21 U.S.C.
§ 841(b)(1)(A). Therefore, while the district court found
Colon responsible for 1.5 kilograms of crack cocaine and
44.7 grams of heroin, we need only determine whether
the evidence presented at trial makes clear beyond a rea-
sonable doubt that Colon was responsible for at least 50
grams of crack. At trial, an Indiana State Police chemist
testified that she tested 12 bags of crack recovered dur-
ing the January 29, 1998 search of 1105 Clay Street, and
that six of the bags contained 165.99 grams of a sub-
stance definitely containing cocaine base, and that an-
other six bags whose contents weighed 146.94 grams in-
dicated cocaine base. Based on this evidence, the jury
convicted Colon on Count 3 which had charged him with
possession with intent to distribute in excess of 50 grams
of crack cocaine on January 29, 1998. This conviction and
the evidence supporting it make clear beyond a reason-
able doubt that had the jury been asked to determine
the quantity of drugs involved, it would have held Colon
responsible for at least 50 grams of crack. Therefore, the
error in not sending the quantity of the drugs to the jury
did not seriously affect the fairness, integrity or public
reputation of the judicial proceeding as to Colon. Or put
another way, any error in sentencing Colon was harmless.
See, e.g., Adkins, 274 F.3d at 445 (Apprendi error was harmless
because it was clear beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant was responsible for the quantity of drugs neces-
sary to support his sentence); Booker, 260 F.3d at 822 (same).
20                          Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

D. Sufficiency of the Evidence to Convict Colon and
   Arocho for Witness Tampering
  Colon and Arocho next challenge the sufficiency of the
evidence supporting their conviction on Count 8 for wit-
ness tampering. Specifically, Count 8 charged Colon and
Arocho with attempting to corruptly influence the testi-
mony of a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1).
This charge stemmed from Colon and Arocho’s contact
with Allen while they were in prison and their alleged at-
tempts to induce Allen to testify falsely at their trial that
he was intoxicated at the time that he made a statement to
the police incriminating them. A jury found Colon and
Arocho guilty on this count.
   In reviewing a jury’s verdict for the sufficiency of the
evidence, we view the evidence, together with all reason-
able inferences, in the light most favorable to the govern-
ment. See United States v. Swanquist, 161 F.3d 1064, 1071 (7th
Cir. 1998). We neither reweigh the evidence nor assess the
credibility of the witnesses. See United States v. Irorere,
228 F.3d 816, 822 (7th Cir. 2000). Rather, the sole question
is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could
have found the essential elements of the crime beyond
a reasonable doubt. Id. We will overturn a jury verdict only
if the defendant can establish that “the record contains
no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which a
jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” United
States v. Goudy, 792 F.2d 664, 674 (7th Cir. 1986).
  In this case, to have convicted Colon and Arocho under
Section 1512(b)(1) for witness tampering, the jury was
required to find beyond a reasonable doubt that 1) Allen
was a witness or a prospective witness; 2) defendants
Colon and Arocho attempted to persuade Allen to pro-
vide false testimony; and 3) defendants Colon and Arocho
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                                 21

acted knowingly and with the intent to influence Allen’s
            5
testimony. See 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1); United States v. John-
son, 903 F.2d 1084, 1087 (7th Cir. 1990). Reading the evi-
dence in the light most favorable to the government, we
conclude that all of these elements were satisfied. First,
there is no dispute that Allen was a prospective witness. As
to the last two elements, the government presented evi-
dence that following their arrest, Allen, Colon and Arocho
were all housed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center
in Chicago on the same floor, and that for two or three
months, Allen shared a cell with Colon. During this time,
Colon told Allen they could beat the case if Allen and
Flores would change their stories and claim that they were
threatened by the police. Colon, joined by Arocho, also
told Allen to say that he was scared, drunk and high on
drugs at the time that he gave the officers a statement and
that the officers had threatened him. Allen originally told
Arocho and Colon that the statement he had given the
officers was true and that he was not going to change it. At
trial, Allen testified that Colon and Arocho nonetheless
approached him again, presenting him with a typed doc-
ument to sign, which stated that he was drunk, high on
drugs and had been threatened by the officers. Allen tes-

5
    Section 1512(b) provides:
      Whoever knowingly uses intimidation or physical force,
      threatens, or corruptly persuades another person, or attempts
      to do so . . ., with intent to—
          (1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any
          person in an official proceeding;
          (2) cause or induce any person to—
              (A) withhold testimony. . . .
              shall be fined not more than $250,000 or imprisoned
              not more than ten years, or both.
22                           Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

tified that he signed the document even though the state-
ments were not true because he felt that if he did not sign
it, he would continue to have confrontations with Colon
and that he was worried about prison security. Based on
this evidence, a jury could reasonably conclude that Colon
and Arocho were attempting to persuade Allen to pro-
vide false testimony and that they acted knowingly and
with the intent to influence Allen’s testimony. Therefore,
Colon and Arocho’s sufficiency of the evidence challenge
fails.

E. Flores’ Sentence—Denial of a Downward Adjustment
   Under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2
  In addition to the various challenges to his conviction,
Flores also appeals his sentence. His sentencing challenge,
however, is limited to one issue: Flores argues that the
district court erred by denying him a reduction for being
a minimal or minor participant under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2.
 Section 3B1.2 provides:
     Based on the defendant’s role in the offense, decrease
     the offense level as follows:
         (a) If the defendant was a minimal participant in
             any criminal activity, decrease by 4 levels.
         (b) If the defendant was a minor participant in any
             criminal activity, decrease by 2 levels.
     In cases falling between (a) and (b), decrease by 3 levels.
U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2
  Application Note 1 explains the propriety of a Section
3B1.2 reduction:
     Subsection (a) applies to a defendant described in
     Application Note 3(A) who plays a minimal role in
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                            23

    concerted activity. It is intended to cover defendants
    who are plainly among the least culpable of those
    involved in the conduct of a group. Under this pro-
    vision, the defendant’s lack of knowledge or under-
    standing of the scope and structure of the enterprise
    and of the activities of others is indicative of a role as
    a minimal participant. It is intended that the down-
    ward adjustment for a minimal participant will be used
    infrequently.
U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2 comment. (n.1).
  Application Note 3 further explains that Subsection (b)
applies to a defendant “who is less culpable than most
other participants, but whose role could not be described
as minimal.” U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2 comment. (n.3).
  The district court denied Flores’ request for a minor or
minimal participant reduction, noting that while his role
was a little different than others, “[h]e certainly was not
a minor or minimal participant in this conspiracy as con-
templated by the guidelines.” We review this determina-
tion for clear error. See United States v. Cain, 155 F.3d 840,
844 (7th Cir. 1998). Clear error exists only if, after review-
ing the evidence, we are left with a definite and firm
conviction that a mistake has been committed. See United
States v. Hunte, 196 F.3d 687, 694 (7th Cir. 1999).
  The evidence in this case more than supports the district
court’s conclusion that Flores was not a minor or a mini-
mal participant. Specifically, the government presented
evidence that Flores fully participated in the conspiracy
by acting as a look-out, waiting on customers, and deliver-
ing drugs. The evidence also created a reasonable infer-
ence that Flores assisted in the cutting and packaging
of crack. The officers testified that after entering the house
at 1105 Clay Street on June 24, 1998, they saw Flores exit
24                          Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

the kitchen, and a subsequent search of the kitchen re-
vealed crack lying on a plate with a razor blade and next
to it packaging materials. Given that no one else was in
the kitchen, and given Flores’ involvement in other aspects
of the drug operations, it is reasonable to infer from this
evidence that Flores was assisting in the packaging of the
crack. In fact, Flores’ attorney concedes as much, stating
that “this may be an appropriate inference,” although he
argues that “it is just as likely that Mr. Flores had simply
been in the kitchen when the police arrived.” However,
where two competing inferences flow from the facts, it
is not clear error for the district court to choose one. More-
over, the evidence as a whole demonstrates that Flores
understood the full extent of the criminal activities; he
lived at the house and witnessed the day-to-day criminal
enterprise.
  While Flores attempts to downplay his role, arguing
that he was merely a crack addict who lived in the house
for a couple of weeks, the district court heard contrary
evidence from which it could find that Flores was a full
participant in the conspiracy. Moreover, to the extent that
Flores’ argument is tied to the limited time during which
he participated in the criminal activities, that was al-
ready taken into account by the district court in setting
his sentence; the district court only held him responsible
for the drugs sold during a three-week time frame. Finally,
while Colon and Arocho were admittedly more in-
volved in the criminal activities, Flores was still not “less
culpable than most other participants.” In fact, his role
mirrored that of Allen and Hernandez, and to some ex-
tent that of Arocho, who also answered the door, collected
money from customers, and delivered crack, although
Arocho was also in charge in Colon’s absence. Under
these circumstances, the district court did not commit
clear error in refusing to reduce Flores’ offense level pursu-
ant to Section 3B1.2.
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                            25

F. Constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and 21 U.S.C.
   § 856(a)(1).
  Finally, we consider the arguments raised by appellant
Colon in a pro se supplemental brief. He argues that 18
U.S.C. § 924(c), Using a Firearm During the Commission
of a Drug Offense, and 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1), Maintaining
a Drug House, are unconstitutional in light of United
States v. Lopez, 514 U.S. 549 (1995). He argues that Con-
gress exceeded its Commerce Clause power in criminaliz-
ing these intrastate activities because neither statute con-
tains the “in or affecting commerce” nexus language.
  While this court has yet to consider the constitutionality
of Section 924(c) in light of Lopez, every other circuit to
address the issue has found that the statute is a valid
exercise of Congress’ commerce power. United States v.
Nguyen, 155 F.3d 1219, 1226 (10th Cir. 1998) (collecting
cases). As the Ninth Circuit explained in United States
v. Staples, 85 F.3d 461, 463 (9th Cir. 1996), in upholding
Section 924(c), that section applies only to the use or carry-
ing of a firearm during or in relation to a federal crime.
Thus, Section 924(c) applies only where a connection to
interstate commerce already exists. Id. 1390. Therefore,
“[b]ecause Congress may regulate drug trafficking, it
may also regulate the use of firearms connected with
that trafficking,” without requiring that the firearm be
transported in commerce. United States v. Miller, 283 F.3d
907, 914 (8th Cir. 2002). We find this reasoning persua-
sive and accordingly join our sister circuits in upholding
the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).
  As to the constitutionality of 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1), this
court has previously held that Congress acted within its
authority to regulate interstate commerce in criminaliz-
ing the maintaining of a drug house because drug deal-
26                          Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345

ing is an economic activity that affects interstate com-
merce. See United States v. Rogers, 89 F.3d 1326, 1334, 1338
(7th Cir. 1996). This conclusion flows from the congres-
sional findings made in passing the Controlled Substance
Act that intrastate drug activity substantially affects in-
terstate commerce. See United States v. Peterson, 236 F.3d
848, 855 (7th Cir. 2001) (“[I]n enacting the CSA, Congress
made specific findings . . . that intrastate narcotic activity
substantially affects interstate commerce. Based on these
findings, when the government prosecutes a defendant
under the CSA, it need not show that the conduct in
the individual case affects interstate commerce.”). Accord-
ingly, as we did in Rogers, we hold that Congress acted
within its Commerce Clause authority in enacting 21
U.S.C. § 856(a)(1). We therefore reject Colon’s challenge
to his conviction on this ground as well.

                             III.
  In sum, the district court did not abuse its discretion
in denying the appellants’ motion for a new trial because
juror Mickens responded truthfully to the questions posed
during voir dire. The district court also did not abuse its
discretion in limiting the cross-examination of Allen and
Hernandez to bar questioning as to the specific sentences
and guideline ranges they faced. The appellants’ Apprendi
challenge likewise fails, as Section 841 is constitutional
and any error the district court judge made in determin-
ing the quantity of drugs involved in the offenses was
harmless. Arocho and Colon’s challenges to the sufficiency
of the evidence also fail because the evidence was more
than sufficient to support their convictions for witness
tampering. Additionally, Flores’ challenge to his sentence
fails because the district court did not commit clear error
in denying him a reduction for being a minor or minimal
Nos. 00-1214, 00-1273 & 00-1345                           27

participant. Finally, we reject Colon’s challenge to the
constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) and 21 U.S.C.
§ 856(a)(1), and hold that Congress’ enactment of these stat-
utes was a proper exercise of its power to regulate com-
merce. For these and the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM.

A true Copy:
       Teste:

                          _____________________________
                          Clerk of the United States Court of
                            Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

                    USCA-97-C-006—9-10-02