Court Opinion

ID: 3059575
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-14 00:34:32.552239+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:38:16.230843
License: Public Domain

[DO NOT PUBLISH]

                        IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                              FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                               ________________________           FILED
                                                         U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                                      No. 10-13063         ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                                  Non-Argument Calendar    SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
                                ________________________        JOHN LEY
                                                                 CLERK
                         D.C. Docket No. 2:09-cr-00113-WKW-TFM-1

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

lllllllllllllllllllll                                          Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                         versus

WAYNE WARE,

lllllllllllllllllllll                                       Defendant-Appellant.

                                ________________________

                                      No. 10-13064
                                  Non-Argument Calendar
                                ________________________

                         D.C. Docket No. 2:09-cr-00113-WKW-TFM-2

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

lllllllllllllllllllll                                          Plaintiff-Appellee,
                                           versus

JAMES STEINER,

lllllllllllllllllllll                                            Defendant-Appellant.

                               ________________________

                        Appeals from the United States District Court
                            for the Middle District of Alabama
                               ________________________

                                    (September 7, 2011)

Before CARNES, WILSON and BLACK, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

         Wayne Ware and James Steiner appeal their convictions and sentences for

conspiracy to commit a carjacking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371, aiding and

abetting a carjacking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 2119 and 2, as well as aiding

and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of

violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A) and 2. On appeal, Ware and

Steiner raise a number of arguments. First, they argue that there was insufficient

evidence to support their convictions for conspiracy to commit carjacking and

aiding and abetting a carjacking. They also argue that the government failed to

establish venue by a preponderance of the evidence because there was no

                                             2
testimony that the crimes occurred in the Middle District of Alabama. Next, Ware

and Steiner contend that the district court erred by applying the obstruction of

justice enhancement based upon their suborning alibi witnesses’ testimony without

making a sufficient finding of fact that the alibi witnesses committed perjury.

Finally, they argue that their sentences are substantively unreasonable as Ware’s

sentence overstates his criminal history, and Steiner’s does not reflect the fact that

he is a first-time offender.

      Additionally, Steiner argues that there was insufficient evidence to support

his conviction for aiding and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm during a

crime of violence because there was no evidence that he had or discharged a

firearm. Steiner also contends that the district court erred by failing to grant his

request for a minor role reduction pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2.

                                          I.

      We review a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence de novo, viewing

the evidence in the light most favorable to the government. United States v. Jones,

601 F.3d 1247, 1267 (11th Cir. 2010). We must decide whether the evidence was

sufficient to support the jury’s conclusion that the defendant was guilty beyond a

reasonable doubt, and we resolve credibility choices in support of the jury’s

verdict. Id. We will not disturb the verdict unless no trier of fact could have

                                           3
found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Ibarguen-Mosquera, 634

F.3d 1370, 1385 (11th Cir. 2011). An accomplice’s uncorroborated testimony can

be sufficient to prove guilt. Craig v. Singletary, 127 F.3d 1030, 1044–45 (11th

Cir. 1997) (en banc).

Conspiracy to Commit Carjacking

      Section 371 prohibits two or more persons from conspiring to commit any

offense against the United States or any agency thereof. “To sustain a conviction

for conspiracy, the government must prove (1) the existence of an agreement to

achieve an unlawful objective; (2) the defendant[s’] knowing and voluntary

participation in the conspiracy; and (3) an overt act in furtherance of the

conspiracy.” Ibarguen-Mosquera, 634 F.3d at 1385 (alteration in original)

(internal quotation marks omitted).

      The existence of an agreement is normally proved through circumstantial

evidence. United States v. Glinton, 154 F.3d 1245, 1258 (11th Cir. 1998), see also

United States v. Moore, 525 F.3d 1033, 1040 (11th Cir. 2008) (“[A]n agreement

may be demonstrated by circumstantial evidence of a meeting of the minds to

commit an unlawful act.”). And “[a] defendant’s knowing participation in a

conspiracy may be established through proof of surrounding circumstances such as

acts committed by the defendant which furthered the purpose of the conspiracy.”

                                          4
United States v. Bain, 736 F.2d 1480, 1485 (11th Cir. 1984). The government

does not have to prove that a defendant knew every detail or participated in every

stage of the conspiracy. United States v. McNair, 605 F.3d 1152, 1196 (11th Cir.

2010), cert. denied, 131 S. Ct. 1600 (2011).

      There was sufficient evidence to sustain both Ware’s and Steiner’s

convictions for conspiracy to commit carjacking. At trial, Ware’s and Steiner’s

co-conspirator testified that they were together on the night of the carjacking, that

it was Ware’s idea “to go hit a lick,” and that Steiner did not object. Additionally,

the jury heard testimony that Ware fired at the victims’ car and that Steiner drove

the victims’ car while fleeing the scene. Thus, there was sufficient evidence to

establish (1) that there was an agreement to achieve an unlawful objective, (2) that

Ware and Steiner knowingly and voluntarily participated in the conspiracy, and (3)

that both committed acts in furtherance thereof.

Carjacking

      Section 2119 provides, in pertinent part, that “[w]hoever, with the intent to

cause death or serious bodily harm” takes a motor vehicle “from the person or

presence of another by force and violence or by intimidation, or attempts to do so”

shall be fined or imprisoned for up to 15 years, or both. “The intent requirement

of § 2119 is satisfied where the government proves that at the moment the

                                          5
defendant demanded or took control over the driver’s automobile the defendant

possessed the intent to seriously harm or kill the driver if necessary to steal the

car.” United States v. Fulford, 267 F.3d 1241, 1244 (11th Cir. 2001) (internal

quotation marks omitted). We judge the defendants’ intent objectively, “from the

visible conduct of the actor and what one in the position of the victim might

reasonably conclude.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted).

      Section 2(a) provides that whoever commits an offense against the United

States or aids and abets in its commission is punishable as a principal. “To prove

guilt under a theory of aiding and abetting, the government must prove: (1) the

substantive offense was committed by someone; (2) the defendant committed an

act which contributed to and furthered the offense; and (3) the defendant intended

to aid in its commission.” United States v. Camacho, 233 F.3d 1308, 1317 (11th

Cir. 2000).

      Here, there was substantial evidence to sustain the defendants’ convictions

for aiding and abetting in the carjacking with the intent to cause serious bodily

harm or death. The testimony sufficiently established Ware’s and Steiner’s

presence and participation in the carjacking, because the testimony placed both

men at the scene of the carjacking, actively taking part in the theft. There was

sufficient evidence that Ware possessed the requisite intent because he was

                                           6
identified as one of the two men shooting at the Impala. With respect to Steiner,

regardless of whether he possessed a firearm, he is liable as a principal because

two of his co-conspirators discharged firearms towards the Impala, and he

participated in the substantive offense by committing acts in furtherance of

carjacking. Thus, because Ware and Steiner possessed the requisite intent while

stealing the car, there is sufficient evidence to sustain their convictions.

Use or Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence

      Section 924(c)(1)(A) provides that it is unlawful for any person to use or

carry a firearm during a crime of violence. And a person who “‘aids, abets,

counsels, commands, induces or procures’ the commission of the offense ‘is

punishable as a principal.’” United States v. Williams, 334 F.3d 1228, 1232 (11th

Cir. 2003) (quoting § 2). “To prove aiding and abetting a § 924(c) offense, the

government must show that the substantive offense of carrying or using a firearm

in relation to a crime of violence was committed, that the defendant associated

himself with the criminal venture, and that he committed some act that furthered

the crime.” Id.

      In the instant case, there was sufficient evidence to support Steiner’s

§ 924(c) conviction. The jury heard testimony that two of Steiner’s

co-conspirators discharged their firearms during the commission of the carjacking.

                                           7
The evidence also established that Steiner associated himself with the carjacking

and committed acts in furtherance thereof by driving the stolen vehicle. Steiner

was also aware that Ware had placed guns into the Blazer before the men left to

“go hit a lick.” Because the evidence established that Steiner aided and abetted

the commission of the § 924(c) offense, Steiner is liable as a principal. Thus,

sufficient evidence supports Steiner’s § 924(c) conviction.

                                         II.

      We review de novo the district court’s venue determination. United States

v. Muench, 153 F.3d 1298, 1300 (11th Cir. 1998). A defendant has a Sixth

Amendment right to be tried in the district in which he committed the offense. Id.

“For purposes of venue, the government must prove by a preponderance of the

evidence that the crimes occurred within the district of trial. When circumstantial

evidence as a whole reasonably supports the inference that the crime was

committed in the trial district, the government’s burden is satisfied.” United States

v. De La Cruz Suarez, 601 F.3d 1202, 1217 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 131 S. Ct.

393 (2010) (alteration omitted) (citation omitted) (internal quotation marks

omitted). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government,

making all reasonable inferences and credibility choices in favor of the jury

verdict. United States v. Stickle, 454 F.3d 1265, 1270 (11th Cir. 2006).

                                         8
       Here, the government proved by a preponderance of evidence that the

carjacking took place in the Middle District of Alabama. As a matter of law,

Lowndes County is located in the Middle District of Alabama. 28 U.S.C.

§ 81(b)(1). At trial, all of the victims and a co-conspirator identified Bates Cutoff

Road, located in Fort Deposit, Alabama, in Lowndes County, as the specific street

where the carjacking took place. Thus, the government presented sufficient

evidence from which the jury could infer venue.

                                          III.

      When reviewing an enhancement for obstruction of justice, we review the

district court’s factual findings for clear error and its application of the Sentencing

Guidelines to those facts de novo. United States v. Massey, 443 F.3d 814, 818

(11th Cir. 2006). The district court can impose a two-level enhancement for

obstruction of justice if, inter alia, “the defendant willfully obstructed or impeded,

or attempted to obstruct or impede, the administration of justice with respect to the

investigation, prosecution, or sentencing of the instant offense of conviction.”

U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1. Covered conduct includes “committing, suborning, or

attempting to suborn perjury.” U.S.S.G. § 3C1.1 cmt. n.4(B). For the purposes of

applying this enhancement, perjury is “false testimony concerning a material

matter with the willful intent to provide false testimony, rather than as a result of

                                           9
confusion, mistake, or faulty memory.” United States v. Singh, 291 F.3d 756, 763

(11th Cir. 2002) (internal quotation marks omitted). A person suborns perjury

when he “procures another to commit any perjury.” 18 U.S.C. § 1622. The

district court can apply the obstruction of justice enhancement when the defendant

calls a witness to testify on his behalf knowing that the witness will give perjured

testimony. United States v. Bradberry, 466 F.3d 1249, 1255 (11th Cir. 2006) (per

curiam).

      The district court did not clearly err in applying the enhancement to either

Ware or Steiner. Neither defendant challenges the district court’s finding as to the

materiality of the witnesses’ testimony. Both defendants had personal knowledge

of the truth or falsity of their alibi witnesses’ testimony because the witnesses

testified that Ware and Steiner were personally with them at various points during

the night of the carjacking. By knowing that these witnesses would testify falsely,

but choosing to call them in their defense, Ware and Steiner procured their

testimony at trial and, thereby, either suborned perjury or aided, abetted, procured,

or willfully caused perjury before the district court. See id. at 1255. Additionally,

contrary to Ware’s and Steiner’s assertion, the district court did make a sufficient

finding of fact in that it agreed with the jury’s verdict and found that the alibi

                                           10
witnesses were not credible. Therefore, the district court did not clearly err in

applying the obstruction of justice enhancement.

                                         IV.

      We review a district court’s denial of a minor-role reduction for clear error.

United States v. Bernal-Benitez, 594 F.3d 1303, 1320 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 130

S. Ct. 2123 (2010). The Guidelines provide that a defendant may receive a

decrease in his offense level based on his role in the offense, either as a minimal

participant or a minor participant. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). A minor participant is

one “who is less culpable than most other participants, but whose role could not be

described as minimal.” U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2 cmt. n.5. In determining whether a

defendant is entitled to a minor-role reduction, the district court (1) “must compare

the defendant’s role in the offense with the relevant conduct attributed to him in

calculating his base offense level”; and (2) “may compare the defendant’s conduct

to that of other participants involved in the offense.” Bernal-Benitez, 594 F.3d

at 1320 (internal quotation marks omitted).

      Here, the district court did not clearly err by denying Steiner’s request for a

minor role reduction. The court considered Steiner’s participation in the crime

and all that Steiner was responsible for through the conspiracy, in addition to

suborning perjury. Steiner drove the Blazer, which he used to disable the Impala

                                          11
by crashing into it. Steiner also served as the getaway driver, driving the Impala

when he and his co-conspirators fled the scene. Moreover, as we previously

discussed, Steiner was also liable as a principal for the use and possession of a

firearm. In addition, Steiner suborned perjury. Thus, Steiner did not act as a

minor participant.

      The court’s discussion of what factors weighed against Steiner reflects the

court’s consideration of Steiner’s role in the offense and the relevant conduct

pertaining to his sentence. Therefore, the district court engaged in the proper

discussion when determining whether a minor role reduction was appropriate.

Contrary to Steiner’s contention, he was not automatically entitled to a minor role

reduction because there was no evidence that he carried or used a firearm during

the carjacking. Thus, the district court did not clearly err by denying it.

                                          V.

      We also find the defendants’ sentences reasonable under an abuse-of-

discretion standard. Gall v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007). Both of their

sentences fell below the statutory maximum of 15 years and were within their

respective Guidelines ranges. See United States v. Gonzalez, 550 F.3d 1319, 1324

(11th Cir. 2008) (per curiam) (holding that the sentence was reasonable in part

because it was well below the statutory maximum); United States v. Talley, 431

                                          12
F.3d 784, 788 (11th Cir. 2005) (per curiam) (we ordinarily expect within-

Guidelines sentences to be reasonable). Additionally, the district court properly

rejected Ware’s arguments about his criminal history because there was clear

testimony that he was responsible for the guns and had a leadership role in the

crime. With respect to Steiner, the district court considered his age and that he

was a first-time offender, but it also noted that he was the driver of both vehicles

involved in the carjacking. Because the district court specifically considered

Ware’s and Steiner’s arguments and had well-founded reasons for rejecting them,

the district court did not abuse its discretion.

      AFFIRMED.

                                           13