Court Opinion

ID: 4280062
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-05-31 16:00:23.394401+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:10:34.091851
License: Public Domain

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION

                                         Case No. 17-3229

                          UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                               FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

                                                                                      FILED
                                                                                May 31, 2018
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,                             )                     DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk
                                                      )
       Plaintiff-Appellee,                            )
                                                      )      ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
v.                                                    )      STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
                                                      )      THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF
JONATHAN RIVERA,                                      )      OHIO
                                                      )
       Defendant-Appellant.                           )
                                                      )
                                                      )

BEFORE: SUTTON, McKEAGUE, and DONALD, Circuit Judges.

       BERNICE BOUIE DONALD, Circuit Judge. Defendant Jonathan Rivera pleaded guilty

to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of 21

U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(b)(1)(A). At sentencing, the district court applied a § 3B1.1(a) enhancement

for his role as an organizer or leader of the criminal activity involving five or more people. Rivera

now appeals that enhancement, arguing that he was a mere middleman and that the district court

failed to make an explicit finding that his conduct involved five or more participants, or was

otherwise extensive. For the reasons that follow, we AFFIRM.

                                                 I.

       In March 2015, a confidential source informed the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement

Task Force that Jose Martinez (“Martinez”) was distributing multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine

in numerous Ohio counties.        Following that tip, DEA agents utilized witness interviews,
Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

confidential sources, surveillance, court-authorized wire interception orders, and other techniques

to investigate the Drug Trafficking Organization (“DTO”).

       Relevant to Defendant-Appellant Rivera, the investigation uncovered the following facts:

Rivera was in regular contact with Martinez around the time authorities seized seven kilograms of

cocaine; Rivera provided Martinez detailed instructions regarding the collection of money and the

direction of couriers and inquired about the status of the various operational details—including the

progress of lower-level conspirators such as co-defendant Ricardo Bustillos-Ramos (“Bustillos-

Ramos”); Martinez referred to Rivera as the “boss,” took directions from Rivera, described Rivera

and his role in the DTO, and warned co-conspirators about the consequences of failing Rivera.

Wire intercepts also revealed Rivera’s conversations with co-defendant Raymone T. West

(“West”) in which Rivera discussed a narcotics sale and West mentioned owing Rivera money

from a previous transaction. Similarly, Rivera spoke to Bruce Cuevas, Sr. (“Cuevas, Sr.”), asking

him to make a delivery and to pick “documents” up from West. Rivera also discussed multiple

suppliers with Martinez and indicated that he would switch to a more reliable source when

encountering issues with another.

       Following the investigation, Rivera and eleven co-defendants were named in an 84-count

indictment. Pursuant to a written plea agreement, Rivera pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess

with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846, 841(b)(1)(A).

In sum, Rivera admitted to being part of a conspiracy to supply cocaine to Martinez for distribution

and that Martinez supplied it to others for redistribution. In that agreement, Rivera stipulated that

he had possessed and distributed more than five but less than fifteen kilograms of cocaine.

Rivera’s offense carried a ten-year mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. The parties

stipulated that the base offense level was 30 and that Rivera was entitled to a three-level downward

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

adjustment for acceptance of responsibility. As they do on appeal, the parties disputed whether

Rivera was an organizer or leader under § 3B1.1(a). There was no agreement as to the sentencing

range.

         After a magistrate judge conducted a plea hearing and recommended that the district court

accept the plea—which it did—the Probation Department prepared the initial presentence

investigation report (“PSR”). The PSR recommended that Rivera be subject to the four-level

enhancement under § 3B1.1(a). Rivera did not object and the PSR was finalized. After a new

attorney appeared on Rivera’s behalf, he objected to the PSR. Though Rivera did not object to the

number of individuals in the conspiracy, he argued that he was merely a middle-man supplier

rather than a leader or organizer.

         At sentencing, the district court overruled Rivera’s objections to the organizer or leader

four-level enhancement. The district court concluded that because Rivera controlled collection

and delivery of the narcotics, oversaw the day-to-day operations of the DTO, and because Martinez

referred to Rivera as the boss—and treated him as such—the evidence illustrated that Rivera was

a leader or organizer under the statute. Specifically, the district court, partially reading from the

PSR, stated:

         “Mr. Rivera controlled who would collect the money, who would deliver kilograms
         of cocaine and when these things would happen. He also knew about day-to-day
         operations of the drug trafficking organization, including who the couriers were and
         who the street-level dealers were. But perhaps the most telling remark is one made
         by Mr. Martinez when talking about the impending delivery of cocaine from Texas.
         During a call on April 11, 2015, with codefendant Ramos, Martinez said “Look,
         they are on their way. Whatever the guy says he does. That dude moves big terrains,
         he moves grounds and he moves worlds.”

         And I agree with you, it’s not enough that Mr. Martinez referred to him as the boss,
         but that’s certainly a factor that I consider. Mr. Martinez didn’t refer to any other
         participant in the drug cartel as the boss.

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

                                         *       *       *

       Mr. Martinez was an organizer or leader of one or more other participants as
       evidenced by the information provided, that in the plea agreement, that in the
       indictment, that in the presentence report, that written in response to the objections
       to the presentence report.

       Mr. Rivera was responsible for arranging and overseeing deliveries of cocaine from
       Mexican-based suppliers to Houston, Texas. He also organized the transportation
       of that cocaine from Texas to the Northern District of Ohio.

       And this was enough to convince the officer to respond in that way, and more than
       enough to persuade me that there is indeed substantial evidence way beyond
       preponderance to allow me to apply that four-level adjustment upwards.

RE 318, PageID #2564-65.

       After applying the four-level adjustment, as well as the three-level downward adjustment

for acceptance of responsibility, Rivera’s offense level was 31, with a criminal history category of

II, and a final guideline range of 121 to 151 months. The district court sentenced Rivera to a term

of 121 months’ imprisonment, followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

                                                II.

       We review a court’s factual findings regarding the application of an enhancement under

§ 3B1.1 for clear error. United States v. Begley, 602 F. App’x 622, 625 (6th Cir. 2015). A district

court’s legal conclusions regarding that enhancement are subject to deferential review because the

district court is better positioned to evaluate factual nuances relevant to enhancement. Id.; United

States v. Washington, 715 F.3d 975, 982-983 (6th Cir. 2013).

                                                III.

       Under the guidelines, a district court may increase a defendant’s offense level by four levels

if the defendant was an “organizer or leader of a criminal activity that involved five or more

participants or was otherwise extensive.” U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(a); see also Washington, 715 F.3d at

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

983. The government must prove that a defendant’s conduct warrants the enhancement by a

preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Wright, 747 F.3d 399, 412 (6th Cir. 2014). The

trial court’s determination that a defendant played an aggravating role is “heavily dependent upon

the facts.” United States v. Groenendal, 557 F.3d 419, 423 (6th Cir. 2009) (citations omitted).

       On appeal, Rivera challenges both aspects of the enhancement—that the evidence shows

he was an organizer or leader and that there were five or more participants in the conspiracy. We

address each separately.

                                                A.

       Rivera asserts that there was insufficient evidence to show he was an “organizer or leader.”

This argument is without merit. According to Application Note 4, relevant factors to consider

when determining whether a defendant is an organizer or leader include:

       [T]he exercise of decision making authority, the nature of participation in the
       commission of the offense, the recruitment of accomplices, the claimed right to a
       larger share of the fruits of the crime, the degree of participation in planning or
       organizing the offense, the nature and scope of the illegal activity, and the degree
       of control and authority exercised over others.

U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 cmt. n. 4. While Rivera need not satisfy each of Application Note 4’s factors,

all available evidence suggests organizational leadership.

       The district court found that Martinez relied on Rivera to supply the drugs and was

accountable to Rivera after selling the drugs or providing them to a lower salesperson. Rivera’s

role was extensive, substantial, and crucial to every step of at least a portion of the conspiracy.

See United States v. Edwards, 635 F. App’x 186, 195 (6th Cir. 2015). The intercepted calls also

show that Rivera had a high degree of decision-making authority with regard to suppliers,

payment, and couriers. Indeed, the surveillance showed decisions to switch both suppliers and

couriers when Rivera was unsatisfied with their performance.

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

         Rivera correctly argues that the enhancement should not be applied to middlemen or

suppliers.    See United States v. Schultz, 14 F.3d 1093, 1099 (6th Cir. 1994) (finding the

enhancement inapplicable to those who buy and sell cocaine). However, the enhancement is

appropriate when the defendant’s actions exceed those of a middleman, such as active roles in

delivery, or control over another. See United States v. Ledezma, 26 F.3d 636, 644 (6th Cir. 1994).

The district court found both here. Rivera also contends that the district court did not identify one

individual that he allegedly controlled. United States v. Vandeberg, 201 F.3d 805, 811 (6th Cir.

2000) (“a defendant must have exerted control over at least one individual within a criminal

organization for the enhancement of § 3B1.1 to be warranted”) (quotation and citation omitted).

This is inaccurate. The district court made it clear that throughout the surveillance Rivera

extensively directed Martinez’s activities and appeared to direct further subordinates through

Martinez—at least to some degree.1

         Rivera also argues that he cannot be labeled a leader or organizer simply by virtue of the

fact that Martinez referred to Rivera as the boss when speaking to other DTO members. Again,

he is correct—“titles such as ‘kingpin’ or ‘boss’ are not controlling.” U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1 cmt. n. 4.

But the district court acknowledged this admonition and did not rely solely on such terms, only

noting that it was a factor the court considered. This is not error.

         Finally, Rivera also asserts that the Probation Department erred in its recommendation

because it labeled him a supervisor, rather than leader. However, that term appears to be a singular

1
 Rivera cites United States v. Odom, 13 F.3d 949, 960-61 (6th Cir. 1994) and United States v. Garcia, 19 F.3d 1123,
1125 (6th Cir. 1994) in support of reversal, on the theory that the government did not provide sufficient evidence that
he “directed” each of the relevant subordinates. See Garcia, 19 F.3d at 1125 (remanding because “there was no
connection between Garcia and the third tier of sellers.”); Odom, 13 F.3d at 960-61 (remanding because “the record
shows only that Bulger was a highly placed middleman.”). The government does not respond to either of these
citations, but they are distinguishable in any event. As stated above, the district court made it clear that Rivera
controlled each tier of the operation—directly or indirectly—to some extent. On clear-error review, this is enough to
support the district court’s ruling.

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

inconsistency and a defendant can serve a supervisory role in addition to that as a leader and

organizer. Moreover, it is clear that the Probation Department’s recommendation was not

determinative as the district court provided exhaustive analysis for its imposition of the

enhancement. Indeed, the district court itself never referred to Rivera in supervisory terms. While

Rivera contends that the district court also erred by exclusively relying on the probation reports,

the facts elucidated by the district court could be gleaned from several sources and we will not find

plain error in supposition.

         Although Rivera did not direct the activities of the suppliers, he did direct Martinez and

Cuevas Sr,, and communicated with West, Cuevas, Sr., Bustillos-Ramos, and Rivera’s own

suppliers. The totality of the arrangement suggests that Rivera exercised a measure of control of

Martinez—and those below him, even if by proxy. Unquestionably, Rivera initiated the flow of

the drugs from the suppliers to Martinez, other dealers, and the community. This establishes both

his role as a manager and supervisor. His control and direction of others elevates him to a leader

and organizer. Indeed, at the sentencing hearing, Rivera’s counsel argued that his client was

merely guilty of “quarterbacking” the operation or “brokering” the transactions. RE 318, PageID

#2258, 2560. Applying the mandated deferential standard of review, we cannot conclude that the

district court erred in imposing the § 3B1.1(a) organizer or leader enhancement.

                                                   B.

         Rivera next argues that the district court failed to make a specific finding as to the identity

of “five or more participants” in the criminal activity as required by § 3B1.1. This, too, is without

merit.

         Here, the district court stated, partially quoting the PSR, that “‘[t]he instant case certainly

involved five or more’ – as you know, Mr. Rivera was one of 12 indicted. So – ‘five or more

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

participants or was otherwise extensive.’ In this case, it was both, geographically and extensive

in terms of the number of participants.” RE 318, PageID #2564. In his plea agreement, Rivera

admitted to conspiring with the eleven co-defendants, and the factual basis for his plea agreement

specifically mentioned more than five co-defendants. “We have held that ‘concessions in a plea

agreement are sufficient to support a § 3B1.1 enhancement.’” United States v. Polly, 385 F. App’x

454, 459 (6th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted). Rivera did not challenge this aspect of his sentencing

and raised no objection at his hearing, nor did he request that the district court make a specific

finding regarding who the five or more participants in the criminal activity were. Moreover, Rivera

cites precedent in which a defendant simply provided cocaine to one person who distributed to

others without any connection between the defendant and the third-tier sellers. That is not the case

here. As detailed, Rivera communicated with parties other than Martinez and also directed the use

of certain couriers. While the PSR indeed only states four people, there is no doubt that more

participants were involved.

       Although the district court did not explicitly name the people organized by Rivera at

sentencing, the issue was nonetheless addressed, and the district court referred to the other persons

named in the indictment. The indictment named eleven people, including Rivera, Martinez,

Cuevos, Sr., Bustillos-Ramos, and West. This is sufficient to satisfy the guideline requirements.

See, e.g., United States v. Ghazaleh, 58 F.3d 240 (1995) (finding that indictment, which named

eleven people, satisfied the guideline requirements, even if the district court did not explicitly name

those defendants at sentencing).

       Between Rivera, Martinez, West, Cuevas, Sr., and the unnamed but multiple suppliers,

there were more than five participants in the conspiracy. Moreover, Rivera interacted with

Bustillos-Ramos, even if Martinez did so more often. This is all in addition to Rivera’s explicit

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Case No. 17-3229, United States of America v Rivera

and implicit admissions in his plea agreement, the fact that he was charged with eleven other co-

conspirators, and that the DTO was otherwise extensive, establishing a cocaine route from Mexico

to Texas and north to Ohio. These facts more than satisfy § 3B1.1.

                                              IV.

       For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the judgment of the district court.

                                              -9-