United States First Circuit

US v. Vilches-Navarrete, 06-1942

Conviction and sentence for cocaine possession in violation of Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act ("MDLEA") and conspiracy to distribute cocaine is affirmed over defendant's claims that: 1) the MDLEA is unconstitutional; 2) the district court lacked jurisdiction; 3) the district court erroneously refused to suppress evidence; 4) there was insufficient evidence to sustain his conviction; and 5) his sentence was unreasonable under Booker; and 6) cumulative errors in the case prejudiced his right to a fair trial.

Appellate Information

• Decided 04/10/2008
• Published 04/10/2008

Judges

• TORRUELLA, Circuit Judge, opinion of the court except as to Part II(A);  dissenting in Part II(A).1, Before TORRUELLA, LYNCH, and HOWARD, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• J. Michael McGuinness, with whom The McGuinness Law Firm was on brief, for appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Mariana E. Bauzá-Almonte, Assistant United States Attorney, with whom Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney, and Nelson Pérez-Sosa, Assistant United States Attorney, Chief, Appellate Division, were on brief, for appellee.