United States First Circuit

Defendants' convictions for participating in a large, international conspiracy to import by sea more than 5 kilograms of cocaine from nations in the Carribean are affirmed where: 1) the evidence supports the jury's assessment that defendant had the requisite knowledge and intent; 2) the district court did not err in denying defendant's motion to preclude an officer from testifying as an expert on the price of drugs and the nature of drug organizations; 3) the district court could easily conclude that co-defendant was at least as involved as his co-defendants; 4) the district court did not abuse its discretion by concluding that a 235-month sentence fairly balanced mitigating factors and the seriousness of co-defendant's offense; and 5) the district court did not err in holding co-defendant responsible for 300 kilograms of cocaine.

Appellate Information

• Decided 08/12/2010
• Published 08/12/2010

Judges

• LYNCH

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Jorge L. Gerena-Mendez, Timothy R. Henwood