United States v. Acosta-Gallardo

Filing

[9897790] Affirmed. Terminated on the merits after oral hearing. Written, signed, published. Judges Gorsuch, Holloway (authoring) and Matheson. Mandate to issue.

FILED
Appellate Case: 10-8075

Document: 01018702496

United States Court of Appeals
Date Filed: 08/30/2011 Page: 1
Tenth Circuit

August 30, 2011
PUBLISH

Elisabeth A. Shumaker
Clerk of Court

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
TENTH CIRCUIT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff - Appellee,
No. 10-8075

v.
CESAR ACOSTA-GALLARDO,
Defendant - Appellant.

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF WYOMING
(D.C. No. 2:09-CR-00355-ABJ-2)

Chris T. Rasmussen, Rasmussen & Kang, Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Appellant.
Stephanie I. Sprecher, Assistant United States Attorney (Christopher A. Crofts, United
States Attorney, and David A. Kubichek, Assistant United States Attorney, with her on
the brief), Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Wyoming, for the
Appellee.

Before GORSUCH, HOLLOWAY and MATHESON, Circuit Judges.

HOLLOWAY, Circuit Judge.

This appeal follows a jury conviction of defendant-appellant Cesar AcostaGallardo on one count of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine, in violation of Title
21, United States Code, Sections 846, 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A) (collectively, Count

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One), and on one count of using a telephone to facilitate a felony drug offense, in
violation of Title 21, United States Code Section 843(b) (Count Eleven). AcostaGallardo appeals his conviction, alleging a variance, a Brady violation, improper venue,
and that insufficient evidence was presented to sustain his Count One conviction for
alleged trafficking in methamphetamine. Exercising jurisdiction of this appeal pursuant
to Title 28, United States Code, Section 1291, we affirm.
I. Facts
Drug Distribution Activity
Much of the evidence against Acosta-Gallardo was introduced through the
testimony of co-defendant Alvaro Alvarado-Sanabria (“Alvarado”). Alvarado was
arrested on October 13, 2009, and as part of his plea agreement that followed, he agreed
to provide information on people with whom he dealt in drugs.
At the time of his arrest, Alvarado had been involved in distributing
methamphetamine for roughly three years. Alvarado testified that he was first exposed to
dealing in methamphetamine through a man named Alfredo Garcia, who imported drugs
from Mexico. Alvarado and Garcia first became acquainted in late 2006 or early 2007
when Garcia came to Alvarado’s place of employment, looking for work. Alvarado
helped Garcia find employment and also let him a room. As they became better
acquainted, Alvarado agreed to lend Garcia money at a favorable interest rate. After
loaning Garcia money three or four times, Alvarado found out that Garcia was using the
money to purchase methamphetamine for distribution. R., Vol. 3 at 144-45. Alvarado

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testified that in the beginning, he was just loaning money to Garcia as an investment. Id.
at 145-46.
Garcia returned to Mexico several times a year and Alvarado took over the
methamphetamine distribution operation. Alvarado testified that he and Garcia were like
“partners.” He became acquainted with Garcia’s driver, who transported the
methamphetamine to Utah. Alvarado also met Garcia’s customers. Alvarado testified
that he and Garcia had three sources for obtaining methamphetamine: (1) a source called
“Police,” (2) Juvenal Garcia (a co-defendant), and (3) the defendant, Acosta-Gallardo.
In the beginning, Alvarado had only one buyer, Brahnson Arnell. Arnell lived in
Lyman, Wyoming. Alvarado testified that his only reason for communicating with Arnell
was to sell him methamphetamine. Alvarado sold methamphetamine to Arnell for
approximately three years. Arnell introduced Alvarado to some of his customers in
Wyoming so that Alvarado could deal directly with them. These customers included
Alvarado’s co-defendants, Robert Landry, Charles Thunehorst, Charles Jerabek, Jason
Freeman, and Matthew Owens. Alvarado estimated that between 2007 and 2009, he sold
two to four pounds of methamphetamine to Landry, five to eight pounds to Thunehorst,
and roughly three to four pounds to Owens. In turn, some of these customers sold
methamphetamine to their own customers. For example, Landry sold methamphetamine
he received from Alvarado to Freeman, George Burkett, Tommy Burkett, Kevin Watson,
and others.
Alvarado testified he would deliver methamphetamine to his Wyoming customers
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at one of several pre-arranged meeting places off of Interstate 80 between Salt Lake City,
Utah, and Rock Springs, Wyoming. R., Vol. 5 Ex. 103; R., Vol. 3 at 336-40. Each
location was assigned a code number, and the delivery location would be communicated
by referencing the location’s code number.
Alvarado and Defendant Cesar Acosta-Gallardo
During one of his stays in Utah, Garcia told Alvarado about Acosta-Gallardo, who
was from his home town in Mexico and needed a place to live. Alvarado owned several
condos and apartments at the time and let one of them to Acosta-Gallardo. Garcia
informed Alvarado that Acosta-Gallardo “was someone really important in the drugs,”
“that [Acosta-Gallardo] was able to get like big quantities [of drugs],” and that “[AcostaGallardo] was able to be a resource.” R., Vol. 3 at 152. Prior to this, Alvarado’s main
source of methamphetamine had been Juvenal Garcia. Alvarado testified, however, that
Juvenal Garcia was unable to get the methamphetamine that Alvarado needed. Id. at 15354. As a result, in the summer of 2007, Alvarado and Alfredo Garcia began acquiring
their methamphetamine from Acosta-Gallardo.
Alvarado and Garcia would obtain pounds of methamphetamine from AcostaGallardo and resell it to their customers in smaller amounts. Alvarado testified that he
purchased methamphetamine from Acosta-Gallardo once every one to two months. Id. at
163. Most of the time, Defendant Acosta-Gallardo would advance Alvarado the
methamphetamine on credit and Alvarado would pay him for it later. Id. at 164.
Alvarado testified that after he ordered methamphetamine from Acosta-Gallardo,
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Acosta-Gallardo would contact him a few days later and would then either deliver the
methamphetamine himself or send his driver. Alvarado would sometimes help retrieve
the methamphetamine from the delivery vehicle, where it was usually concealed in the
engine compartment between the windshield and the engine. Alvarado testified that in
2007 and 2008, when he lived in Park City, Utah, his apartment complex had an
underground garage where he and Acosta-Gallardo could retrieve the drugs from the
vehicle without being seen from the outside.
Alvarado stored the methamphetamine he received from Acosta-Gallardo in a
brown suitcase that was kept in a closet in his (Alvarado’s) residence. Id. at 176-78.
Alvarado stored different purchases of methamphetamine in separate containers. Id. at
178-80. At trial, Alvarado was shown a photograph of the contents of the suitcase seized
from his apartment. R., Vol. 5, Ex. 115. In the photograph, Alvarado identified three
different packages of methamphetamine that he had received from Acosta-Gallardo. R.,
Vol. 3 at 181-82. Alvarado testified that Acosta-Gallardo had seen the suitcase many
times, and that Acosta-Gallardo was aware that Alvarado kept methamphetamine in that
suitcase. Id. at 184-85.
Phone Exchanges Between Alvarado and Acosta-Gallardo
Alvarado testified that he kept two cell phones. One phone was for personal use.
The other phone was his “business phone,” R. Vol. 3 at 188, which he changed every four
to six weeks to avoid tracking by law enforcement. Id. at 185. Acosta-Gallardo’s contact
information was kept in Alvarado’s business phone. Alvarado testified that between 2007
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and 2009, he changed phones approximately fifteen to twenty times. He purchased his
business phones from Wal-Mart. The phones were never registered in Alvarado’s name.
In order to be assigned a phone number, Alvarado would provide a zip code from Idaho,
Colorado, or Wyoming so that his assigned phone number would correspond to that zip
code. Alvarado never provided the zip code of the city where he actually lived.
At trial, the government introduced the transcript of a text message that Alvarado
received from Acosta-Gallardo on September 11, 2009. R., Vol. 3 at 192-93; R., Vol. 5
Ex. 123. The message, translated into English from Spanish, stated, “Dude, there is a
[Female] friend that is 18 years old if you want to meet her.” R., Vol. 5, Ex. 123.
Alvarado testified that “amiga,” or “female [friend],” meant that Acosta-Gallardo had one
pound of methamphetamine. R., Vol. 3 at 192. The reference to “18” meant “18,000.”
Id. Thus, Alvarado testified that Acosta-Gallardo’s message communicated the idea that
he had “a pound of meth for $18,000, and he want[ed] to know if I wanna, I wanna [sic]
buy that from him.” Id.
Transcripts of several phone conversations that took place on September 12, 2009
were next introduced at trial. R., Vol. 5 at Exs. 124, 125, 126. The transcripts reflected
both the conversations, all of which took place in Spanish, and their English translations.
R., Vol. 3 at 189. The first phone conversation is dated September 12, 2009, and timestamped “17:34:47 MDT - 17:36:02 MDT.” R., Vol. 5 Ex. 124. Alvarado testified that in
this conversation, he and Acosta-Gallardo were coordinating the delivery of drugs
mentioned in the September 11, 2009 text message. Alvarado testified that in this phone
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conversation, he was communicating to Acosta-Gallardo that he (Alvarado) was not yet at
home. R., Vol. 3 at 194-95.
The second phone conversation is also dated September 12, 2009, and is timestamped “19:39:22 NDT - 19:39:58 MDT.” R., Vol. 5 Ex. 125. During this phone
conversation, Alvarado contacted Acosta-Gallardo to tell him that he had just arrived
home. R., Vol. 3 at 196. Acosta-Gallardo’s response, as explained by Alvarado,
indicated that Acosta-Gallardo was on his way to meet Alvarado. Id.
The third phone call was similarly dated September 12, 2009, and time-stamped
“20:07:58 MDT - 20:08:36 MDT.” R., Vol. 5 Ex. 126. Alvarado explained that this
phone conversation took place a few minutes before Acosta-Gallardo arrived at
Alvarado’s home. R., Vol. 3 at 197-98. Alvarado explained that Acosta-Gallardo asked
where to park, and Alvarado directed Acosta-Gallardo to the parking lot behind his
apartment. Id. at 198.
Alvarado testified that after these three phone conversations, Acosta-Gallardo
delivered eight ounces of methamphetamine to him. Id. The drugs were advanced to him
on credit. Id. Alvarado stored the drugs in one of the containers in his suitcase and
eventually sold it to his customers, most of whom were in Wyoming. Id. at 198-99.
The transcript of an additional phone conversation between Acosta-Gallardo and
Alvarado, dated September 16, 2009, and time-stamped “11:22:26 MDT - 11:29:20
MDT,” was introduced into evidence by the government. R., Vol. 5 at Ex. 127. Alvarado
initiated this phone call to Acosta-Gallardo and told him, “it is pretty, I’ve been told that
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it truly rocks.” R., Vol. 3 at 199-200; R., Vol. 5 Ex. 127 at page 2, line 8. Alvarado
testified that his comment meant that the quality of the drugs he obtained from AcostaGallardo on September 12, 2009 was “quite good.” R., Vol. 3 at 199-200. AcostaGallardo responded (in Spanish), “I told you, you were going to like it.” Id. at 200-201;
R., Vol. 5 Ex. 127 at page 2, line 11. Alvarado then communicated to Acosta-Gallardo,
in code, that it would take him a few days to collect the money owed for the September
12, 2009 drug delivery. R., Vol. 3 at 202; R., Vol. 5 Ex. 127 at page 2, line 18. Alvarado
testified that Acosta-Gallardo’s response indicated that he was agreeable to that
arrangement. Id. (discussing R., Vol. 5 at page 2, line 19).
Alvarado testified that a week after the September 12, 2009 drug transaction, he
paid Acosta-Gallardo $4,500, half of the amount due for the eight ounces of
methamphetamine delivered. Id. at 224-25. Then, on October 12, 2009, a day before
Alvarado was arrested, Alvarado paid Acosta-Gallardo the remaining $4,500 due for the
September 12, 2009 delivery. Id.
The Investigation
Federal agents made two controlled purchases from Alvarado. On September 24,
2009, an undercover agent purchased four ounces of methamphetamine for $6,000 using
marked bills. Of the $6,000 paid, $1,200 in marked funds was later recovered from
Acosta-Gallardo’s vehicle. R., Vol. 3 at 96-99. On October 13, 2009, an undercover
agent made the second controlled purchase of eight ounces of methamphetamine for
$11,000. Id. at 95-96. Immediately following this purchase, Alvarado was arrested.
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A DEA agent testified that an estimated forty pounds of methamphetamine was at
issue over the course of the investigation. Id. at 534. Using the lowest purity level found
in the drugs seized from Alvarado, which was a 7.2% purity of methamphetamine, forty
pounds of methamphetamine would be equivalent to over 50 grams of “actual”
methamphetamine. Id. at 534-35. The DEA agent estimated that over ten pounds of
methamphetamine were attributable to Acosta-Gallardo. Id.
II. Analysis
Acosta-Gallardo appeals his conviction on four grounds. First, he argues that there
was a variance between his indictment and the facts proven at trial. Second, he argues
that the government committed a violation of his rights as recognized in Brady v.
Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), by belatedly disclosing Alvarado’s proffered testimony
that Acosta-Gallardo handled Alvarado’s glass methamphetamine storage jars. Third,
Acosta-Gallardo argues that the government failed to prove that venue was proper for
Counts One and Eleven by a preponderance of the evidence. Fourth, Acosta-Gallardo
argues that the government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was
interdependence among him, Alvarado, and Alvarado’s Wyoming customers. Only the
third issue merits prolonged discussion but we address each of the arguments in turn.
1. Whether a variance in the evidence established facts different from those alleged in
Count Eleven
Count Eleven charged Acosta-Gallardo with the following:
On or about September 12, 2009, at approximately 5:34 p.m., 7:39 p.m., and
8:07 p.m. in the District of Wyoming, the Defendants, Alvaro Alvarado-9-

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Sanabria and Cesar Acosta-Gallardo, did knowingly, intentionally, and
unlawfully use a communication facility, to wit: a telephone, in causing or
facilitating the commission of acts constituting a felony under the federal
controlled substance act, to wit: conspiracy to possess with the intent to
distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §
846, as more fully alleged in Count One of this Indictment. In [sic] violation
of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b).
R., Vol. 1 at 28. Acosta-Gallardo argues that the evidence used in the government’s case
to demonstrate that Acosta-Gallardo used a communication facility in furtherance of a
conspiracy actually involved phone calls of October 12, 2009, not September 12, 2009, as
charged in the indictment. Acosta-Gallardo argues that this amounted to a variance, and
that no reasonable jury could have found Acosta-Gallardo guilty of Count Eleven.
“A variance arises when the evidence adduced at trial establishes facts different
from those alleged in an indictment.” United States v. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d 843, 848 (10th
Cir. 1998) (quoting United States v. Edwards, 69 F.3d 419, 432 (10th Cir. 1995)). We
review de novo the question whether a fatal variance occurred, viewing the evidence and
drawing all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the government. United
States v. Caldwell, 589 F.3d 1323, 1328 (10th Cir. 2009) (citing United States v.
Carnagie, 533 F.3d 1231, 1237 (10th Cir. 2008)). However, a “variance is reversible
error only if it affects the substantial rights of the accused.” Ailsworth, 138 F.3d at 848
(quoting Berger v. United States, 295 U.S. 78, 82 (1935)).
Because we are convinced that no variance occurred, we need not reach the issue
of Acosta-Gallardo’s substantial rights. As recounted above, the government introduced
the transcripts of three phone conversations between Alvarado and Acosta-Gallardo that
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took place on September 12, 2009. At trial, Alvarado explained the context of those
phone calls and how they facilitated Acosta-Gallardo’s delivering eight ounces of
methamphetamine to him on September 12, 2009. Alvarado further testified that he sold
that methamphetamine to his customers, at least some of whom were in Wyoming. Thus,
the evidence introduced at trial did not establish facts different from those alleged in the
indictment. Accordingly, there was no variance.
2. Whether the Government Failed to Present Knowledge of Potentially Exculpatory
Evidence Prior to Trial in Violation of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963)
Acosta-Gallardo next argues that the government committed a Brady violation
because it delayed disclosing Alvarado’s proffer that Acosta-Gallardo handled the glass
methamphetamine storage jars kept in the brown suitcase seized from Alvarado’s
apartment.1 Aplt’s Br. at 13-14; Oral Argument 2:18 to 3:43. To succeed on his Brady
claim, Acosta-Gallardo must demonstrate that the prosecution suppressed evidence, that
the evidence was favorable to him, and that the evidence was material. United States v.
Smith, 534 F.3d 1211, 1222 (10th Cir. 2008) (citing United States v. Quintanilla, 193
F.3d 1139, 1149 (10th Cir. 1999)). Under Brady, evidence is material if it “creates ‘a
reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed to the defense, the result of
the proceedings would have been different.’” Id. (quoting Scott v. Mullin, 303 F.3d 1222,

1

In his brief, Acosta-Gallardo suggested that the government also committed a
Brady violation by failing to conduct a fingerprint analysis of the glass jars. Aplt’s Br. at
13-14. Counsel for Acosta-Gallardo clarified at oral argument that this argument was not
at issue. Oral Argument 2:18 to 3:43. Accordingly, we do not address it.
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1230 (10th Cir. 2002)). A “reasonable probability” is a “‘probability sufficient to
undermine confidence in the outcome.’” Id. (quoting same)
The glass jars at issue were seized from Alvarado’s apartment on October 13,
2009. R., Vol. 3 at 505-06. The government represented that it learned, at most one
week prior to trial, that Alvarado would testify that Acosta-Gallardo handled the glass jars
and communicated that to Acosta-Gallardo at most four to five days later. Oral Argument
12:26-13:25. A DEA agent testified at trial that the glass jars were not fingerprinted
because the agent found out just before trial that Acosta-Gallardo may have handled
them. R., Vol. 3 at 610-11. Acosta-Gallardo indicates that he learned of Alvarado’s
proffer the day before trial, and had he known about it sooner, he would have requested a
continuance and had the jars fingerprinted because the results of the fingerprint analysis
“would have been exculpatory to both innocence or guilt.” Aplt’s Br. 13.
Acosta-Gallardo’s arguments, however, fall short of establishing a Brady violation.
Assuming arguendo that the government did delay disclosing Alvarado’s testimony to
Acosta-Gallardo, and that Acosta-Gallardo would have had the jars fingerprinted, no one
knows whether the results would have been favorable to Acosta-Gallardo. This fails to
satisfy the second prong of Brady.
Additionally, Acosta-Gallardo does not establish a reasonable probability that the
outcome of the proceedings would have been different if the jars had been fingerprinted.
If Acosta-Gallardo’s fingerprints had been on the jars, Alvarado’s testimony would have
been corroborated. On the other hand, if Acosta-Gallardo’s fingerprints were not on the
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jars, that could have meant anything “from the failure of the fingerprints to be preserved,
Mr. Alvarado-Sanabria’s innocent misrecollection about whether [Acosta-Gallardo]
handled the item, to the fingerprints never being preserved in any readable format in the
first place.” R., Vol. 1 at 355 (Order Denying Motion for Acquittal July 23, 2010 at 6).
As the district court phrased it, “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.” Id..
Thus, Acosta-Gallardo has failed to establish any Brady violation.
3. Whether Venue was Proper for Counts One and Eleven
Acosta-Gallardo next argues that venue for Counts One and Eleven was improper
in the District of Wyoming. Moreover, Acosta-Gallardo argues that the district court’s
failure to instruct the jury on venue constituted structural error and is per se reversible.
Aplt’s Br. at 14.
Whether A Reasonable Jury Could Have Found Venue by a Preponderance of the
Evidence
The Constitution contains two provisions on venue in criminal cases. United
States v. Medina-Ramos, 834 F.2d 874, 875 (10th Cir. 1987). “Article III, § 2, cl. 3
requires that the trial of any crime be held in the state in which the crime was committed,
while the Sixth Amendment requires that trial be by a jury of the state and district in
which the crime was committed.” Id. at 875-76. “These directives are the product of the
Framers’ concern over ‘the unfairness and hardship to which trial in an environment alien
to the accused exposes him.’” Id. at 876 (quoting United States v. Johnson, 323 U.S. 273,
275 (1944)). Similarly, Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 18 states that “‘[e]xcept as

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otherwise permitted by statute or by these rules, the prosecution shall be had in a district
in which the offense was committed.’” See also Medina-Ramos, 834 F.3d at 876 (quoting
Fed. R. Crim. P. 18).
“Although venue is a right of constitutional dimension, and has been characterized
as ‘an element of every crime,’ . . . [it] need not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”
United States v. Miller, 111 F.3d 747, 749 (10th Cir. 1997) (quoting United States v.
Winship, 724 F.2d 1116, 1124 (5th Cir. 1984)). Rather, venue need only be proven by a
preponderance of the evidence. Id. at 749-50 (citing United States v. Record, 873 F.2d
1363, 1366 (10th Cir. 1989)). Venue is a question of fact ordinarily decided by the jury.
Id. at 749 (citing United States v. Rinke, 778 F.2d 581, 584 (10th Cir. 1985)). However,
“[w]hether the government presented sufficient evidence to support a jury's finding on
venue is a question of law.” United States v. Kelly, 535 F.3d 1229, 1232 (10th Cir. 2008)
(citing Miller, 111 F.3d at 749). “In reviewing whether venue lies in a particular district .
. . [we] view[] the evidence in the light most favorable to the government and mak[e] all
reasonable inferences and credibility choices in favor of the finder of fact.” Id. at 123233 (citing Rinke, 778 F.2d at 584).
Count One
Count One charges Acosta-Gallardo and his co-defendants with “knowingly,
intentionally, and unlawfully combin[ing], conspir[ing], confederat[ing] and agree[]ing],
to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of
methamphetamine (actual), a Schedule II controlled substance.” R., Vol. 1 at 24. Venue
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for a conspiracy is proper in any jurisdiction where an overt act in furtherance of a
conspiracy was committed by any of the conspirators, even if the defendant has “neither
been to the jurisdiction nor committed any acts there.” Miller, 111 F.3d at 753 n.8 (citing
United States v. Smith, 692 F.2d 693, 697 (10th Cir. 1982)); see also United States v.
Hamilton, 587 F.3d 1199, 1207 (10th Cir. 2009) (collecting cases).
In this case, the government introduced ample evidence that numerous overt acts
in furtherance of the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy took place in the District
of Wyoming. Alvarado met his customers at stops along Interstate 80 to deliver drugs in
both Utah and Wyoming. The testimony of several co-defendants corroborated this. For
example, co-defendant Jason Freeman, who resided in Wyoming, testified that he would
meet Alvarado in “Pilot in Evanston,” and “TA in . . . Fort Bridger.” R., Vol. 3, Tr.2 at
756, 763. When Freeman was shown a map marking various stops along I-80 between
Utah and Wyoming, R., Vol. 5 Ex. 103, Freeman testified that he recognized the places
outlined on the map. R., Vol. 3, Tr. at 764. One stop was marked “Evanston, WY.” Id.;
R., Vol. 5 Ex. 103. Similarly, a point marked “TA Truckstop” was located in Wyoming.
A reasonable jury could have inferred that Freeman met Alvarado in Evanston, Wyoming
and at the TA Truckstop in Wyoming, where Alvarado distributed drugs in furtherance of
the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.

2

A portion of Volume 3 of the record on appeal is inexplicably unpaginated. For
this portion, we will reference the original pagination of the trial transcript, denoted by
“R., Vol. 3, Tr.”
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Additionally, Arnell, Alvarado’s first customer, lived in Lyman, Wyoming. R.,
Vol. 3 at 149. Alvarado sold drugs to Matthew Owens, also a resident of Lyman,
Wyoming. Id. at 342-43. Alvarado met Owens for the first time at Arnell’s property in
Wyoming and sold drugs to him at that meeting. Id. at 342-43, 345-46; R., Vol. 5 Ex.
103. Similarly, Alvarado met Landry for the first time at Arnell’s property in Wyoming
and sold drugs to him at that meeting. R., Vol. 3 at 345-46; R., Vol. 5 Ex. 103. Alvarado
testified that he continued to do business with Owens and Landry for the next three years.
R., Vol. 3 at 346.
Thus, even assuming that Acosta-Gallardo never set foot in the District of
Wyoming, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the jury verdict, ample
evidence was introduced showing that acts in furtherance of the conspiracy were
committed there, making venue for Count One proper.
Count Eleven
Venue for Count Eleven presents a trickier question. Count Eleven, quoted supra,
charges Acosta-Gallardo with using a telephone to facilitate the methamphetamine
distribution conspiracy alleged in Count One, in violation of Title 21, United States Code,
Section 843(b). Acosta-Gallardo argues that venue was not proper in the District of
Wyoming because the phone calls that took place on September 12, 2009 and which form
the basis of Count 11, occurred entirely within the state of Utah and never touched the
District of Wyoming. The government does not dispute this fact. However, the
government argues that venue is nonetheless proper in the District of Wyoming because
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the conspiracy facilitated by Acosta-Gallardo’s phone call occurred in the District of
Wyoming. The government argues that the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v.
Rodriguez-Moreno, 526 U.S. 275 (1999), supports this proposition. We agree.
This issue presents a question of first impression for our circuit. Section 843(b)
provides that “[i]t shall be unlawful for any person knowingly or intentionally to use any
communication facility in committing or in causing or facilitating the commission of any
act or acts constituting a [drug] felony . . .” Because Section 843(b) does not contain an
explicit venue provision, we must determine the place at which the crime was
“committed” based on “the nature of the crime alleged and the location of the act or acts
constituting it.” United States v. Cryar, 232 F.3d 1318, 1321 (10th Cir. 2000) (citing
Medina-Ramos, 834 F.2d at 876).
Our precedent has not previously held that a Section 843(b) offense is
“committed” in any jurisdiction where the underlying drug felony was committed. Our
circuit has previously described venue for an 843(b) offense as being appropriate “in both
the district where the call was made and in the district where it was received.” United
States v. Goodwin, No. 09-3316, 2011 WL 2006335, 5 (10th Cir. May 24, 2011) (citing
Andrews v. United States, 817 F.2d 1277, 1279 (7th Cir. 1987); United States v. Barnes,
681 F.2d 717, 724 (11th Cir. 1982)) (unpublished). Because the phone calls at issue here
were neither initiated nor received in Wyoming, we must determine whether the
reasoning of Rodriguez-Moreno extends to Section 843(b) so that venue would have been
proper there.
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In Rodriguez-Moreno, the question before the Court was, where was venue proper
for the offense of using or carrying a firearm “during and in relation to a crime of
violence,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1). 526 U.S. at 279. The defendant
Rodriguez-Moreno had kidnaped his victim in Texas, transported him to New Jersey,
New York, and then finally to Maryland, where the defendant came into possession of a
firearm. Id. at 277. The Supreme Court held that venue for the firearms offense was
proper in the District of New Jersey, even though the defendant did not “use or carry” the
firearm until later, after he arrived in Maryland. Id.
To determine where the firearms offense was “committed,” the Court began with
the proposition that “the ‘locus delicti [of the charged offense] must be determined from
the nature of the crime alleged and the location of the act or acts constituting it.’” Id. at
279 (quoting United States v. Cabrales, 524 U.S. 1, 6-7 (1998)) (alteration in RodriguezMoreno). For the Section 924(c)(1) offense, the Supreme Court identified two conduct
elements constituting the offense: the “using and carrying” of a gun, and the commission
of a kidnaping. Id. at 280-281. The Court held that because the Section 924(c)(1) offense
“‘consist[ed] of distinct parts which ha[d] different localities[,] the whole may be tried
where any part can be proved to have been done.’” Id. at 281-82 (quoting United States
v. Lombardo, 241 U.S. 73, 77 (1916)). The underlying kidnaping was a continuing
offense, so it was “committed in all of the places that any part of it took place.” Id. at
282. The Court in Rodriguez-Moreno therefore held that venue for the firearms offense
was proper in all of those jurisdictions as well. Id.
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The Court was also careful to distinguish its precedent in Cabrales, where it faced
a similar question. In Cabrales, the defendant was charged with violating 18 U.S.C.
§§ 1956 & 1957, which criminalize money laundering. 524 U.S. at 3. All of the actual
money laundering transactions occurred in Florida, not in Missouri where the defendant
was tried. Id. at 8; Rodriguez-Moreno, 526 U.S. at 280 n.4. Although the illegal activity
that generated the eventually-laundered proceeds occurred in Missouri, the statutes at
issue “did not proscribe the ‘anterior criminal conduct that yielded the funds allegedly
laundered.’” Rodriguez-Moreno, 526 U.S. at 280 n.4 (quoting Cabrales, 524 U.S. at 7).
Thus, in Cabrales, venue was improper in Missouri. 524 U.S. at 8.
Our circuit has applied the reasoning of Rodriguez-Moreno to firearms offenses
under Section 924, e.g., United States v. Brown, 400 F.3d 1242, 1249-51 (10th Cir. 2005),
and to other offenses as well. In Cryar, our circuit applied the reasoning of RodriguezMoreno to 18 U.S.C. § 2241(c) which criminalizes crossing a State line with intent to
engage in a sexual act with a minor. 232 F.3d at 1321. Noting that Section 2241(c) did
not contain a specific venue provision, our court identified three distinct elements that the
government had to prove to determine the locus delicti of the crime: “the crossing of state
lines, the intent to engage in the sexual act [with a child under twelve], and the attempt to
do so.” Id. at 1322. Finding that Section 2241(c) criminalizes a continuing offense, our
court held that Congress permitted it to be prosecuted in any district where it was
“‘begun, continued, or completed.’” Id. (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 3237(a)). Thus, venue was
proper in the Western District of Oklahoma, where the criminal conduct was
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“completed,” even though the defendant crossed state lines into the Eastern District of
Oklahoma. Id.; see also United States v. Byrne, 171 F.3d 1231, 1235 n.2 (10th Cir. 1999)
(holding that because “coercion and enticement” of a minor in violation of 18 U.S.C. §
2422 is a continuing offense, venue for the companion Section 843(b) offense was also
proper in the District of New Mexico, where the minor was “enticed,” even though the
defendant did not initiate the call therefrom).
Notably, our circuit declined to extend the reasoning of Rodriguez-Moreno, to a
prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1001(a)(2) for making a false statement “in any matter
within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch” of the federal
government. United States v. Smith, 641 F.3d 1200, 1207 (10th Cir. 2011). Finding that
“making a false statement” was the only essential conduct element of a Section
1001(a)(2) offense, our court held that venue would have been proper only in Minnesota,
where the false statement was made. Id. at 1207-08. Venue was not proper in the
Western District of Oklahoma, where the defendant was tried, even though the underlying
crime for which the defendant was being questioned took place in the Western District of
Oklahoma. Id. at 1208-09.
With these principles in mind, we review the language of Section 843(b) to
determine the essential conduct elements of the offense. For a Section 843(b) offense, the
government must prove that the defendant (i) “knowingly or intentionally” (ii) used “any
communication facility” (iii) in “committing or in causing or facilitating the commission
of any act or acts constituting [a drug felony].” 21 U.S.C. § 843(b). Thus, there are two
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conduct elements that the government must prove: first that the defendant used a
communication facility, and second, that in doing so, the defendant committed,
facilitated, or caused to be committed a drug felony.
That the commission of or facilitation of an underlying drug felony is a predicate
offense to a Section 843(b) violation finds support in the Supreme Court’s decision in
Abuelhawa v. United States, 129 S. Ct. 2102 (2009). In Abuelhawa, the Court held that a
defendant’s misdemeanor drug purchase could not support a Section 843(b) offense, even
though it made possible his drug supplier’s felonious drug distribution. Id. at 2104. In
analyzing the legislative history of Section 843(b), the Court reasoned that “Congress
meant to treat purchasing drugs for personal use more leniently than the felony of
distributing drugs, and to narrow the scope of the communications provision to cover only
those who facilitate a drug felony.” Id. at 2107 (emphasis added). Implicit in this
analysis is the proposition that the defendant commits a felony for which he may be
convicted.
Our case law similarly requires a defendant to be complicit in an underlying drug
felony for a Section 843(b) conviction to stand. For example, in United States v. Baggett,
our court held that simple possession of heroin, punishable only as a misdemeanor, could
not support a Section 843(b) conviction. 890 F.2d 1095, 1097-98 (10th Cir. 1989);
accord Abuelhawa, 129 S.Ct. at 2105 n.2. Later, however, in United States v. Small, our
court noted that because possession of more than five grams of crack cocaine is

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punishable as a felony, it could therefore support a Section 843(b) conviction. 423 F.3d
1164, 11 85-86 (10th Cir. 2005) (emphasis added).
In the instant case, the underlying drug felony is a conspiracy. We have previously
held that inchoate crimes such as attempt and conspiracy qualify as drug felonies that may
underlie a Section 843(b) offense. United States v. Reed, 1 F.3d 1105, 1108-09 (10th Cir.
1993) (“[W]e hold that proof of an underlying inchoate crime, such as attempt or
conspiracy under § 846, is sufficient to sustain a facilitation conviction under § 843(b).”)
(quoting with approval United States v. Pierorazio, 578 F.2d 48, 51 (3d Cir. 1978)).
Moreover, our circuit has characterized conspiracy as “the prototypical continuing
offense.” United States v. Jaynes, 75 F.3d 1493, 1505 (10th Cir. 1996) (citing United
States v. Massey, 48 F.3d 1560, 1568 n.7 (10th Cir. 1995); and United States v. McGoff,
831 F.2d 1071, 1079 (D.C. Cir. 1987)).
Therefore, applying the reasoning of Rodriguez-Moreno, venue for prosecution of
a Section 843(b) violation committed in furtherance of a conspiracy would be proper in
any district where either the communication facility was used, or the underlying
conspiracy was committed. In the instant case, because venue was proper in the District
of Wyoming for the underlying drug felony (conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine),
venue was proper there for the instant Section 843(b) offense.
Lack of Jury Venue Instructions

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Acosta-Gallardo next argues that the district court’s failure to instruct the jury on
venue constituted structural error that is per se reversible.3 We note, however, that when
a defendant has not requested a jury instruction on venue or has not objected to the lack
of a specific venue instruction at trial, we review only for plain error. Kelly, 535 F.3d at
1238 (citing Byrne, 171 F.3d at 1235). In this case, Acosta-Gallardo does not suggest that
he requested a jury instruction on venue, and we review for plain error.
Under plain error review, a defendant must show “‘(1) an error, (2) that is plain,
which means clear or obvious under current law, and (3) that affects substantial rights.’”
Id. at 1238-39 (quoting United States v. Goode, 483 F.3d 676, 681 (10th Cir. 2007)). If
the defendant satisfies these criteria, we “‘may exercise discretion to correct the error if
[4] it seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial
proceedings.’” Id. (same) (alteration in Kelly). However, Acosta-Gallardo has not argued
that there was plain error as to either Count One or Count Eleven and thus has not met his
burden to demonstrate that the district court committed plain error by failing to instruct
the jury on venue.

3

In support of this proposition, Acosta-Gallardo cites our court’s decision in
United States v. Wiles. Aplt’s Br. 14 (citing Wiles, 102 F.3d 1043, 1059-60 (10th Cir.
1996)). Since our court’s decision in Wiles, however, the Supreme Court has held that the
failure to instruct the jury on an element of the offense does not constitute structural error
that is reversible per se, but is instead subject to harmless error review. Neder v. United
States, 527 U.S. 1, 12-13 (1999). Because neither party argues that harmless error review
should apply to a district court’s failure to instruct the jury on venue, we do not reach this
question.
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4. Whether the evidence was sufficient to establish interdependence among AcostaGallardo, Alvarado, and Alvarado’s Customers in Wyoming
Acosta-Gallardo next challenges the sufficiency of the evidence related to the
conspiracy charge presented at trial to sustain his conviction for Count One. We review
sufficiency-of-the-evidence challenges de novo, “consider[ing] both direct and
circumstantial evidence, and all reasonable inferences therefrom, in the light most
favorable to the government.” United States v. Wardell, 591 F.3d 1279, 1286-87 (10th
Cir. 2009) (citing United States v. Weidner, 437 F.3d 1023, 1032 (10th Cir. 2006)). We
may not disturb the jury’s credibility determinations, nor weigh the evidence in
performing this analysis. Id. at 1287 (citing United States v. Waldroop, 431 F.3d 736,
742 (10th Cir. 2005)). The evidence is sufficient under these tests if a reasonable jury
could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 1286-87 (citing
United States v. Willis, 476 F.3d 1121, 1124 (10th Cir. 2007)).
To prove a conspiracy, the government must show that “(1) two or more persons
agreed to violate the law; (2) the defendant knew the essential objectives of the
conspiracy; (3) the defendant knowingly and voluntarily participated in the conspiracy;
and (4) the alleged coconspirators were interdependent.” United States v. Yehling, 456
F.3d 1236, 1240 (10th Cir. 2006) (citing United States v. Small, 423 F.3d 1164, 1182
(10th Cir. 2005)). The alleged co-conspirators must have “a shared, single criminal
objective, not just have similar or parallel objectives between similarly situated people.”

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Small, 423 F.3d at 1182 (citing United States v. Evans, 970 F.2d 663, 671 (10th Cir.
1992))).
Acosta-Gallardo challenges only the interdependence fourth prong, arguing that he
never spoke to or met co-defendant Robert Landry prior to trial. He also argues that his
alleged co-conspirators— Kevin Watson, Charles Thunehorst, Brahnson Arnell, George
Burkett, and Jason Freeman— were all cooperating witnesses for the government and that
they testified that they purchased methamphetamine from either Landry or Alvarado,
rather than from him. R., Vol. 3 at 451-58 [Watson testifying that he was purchasing
drugs from Landry who was purchasing from a source unknown to him in Park City], R.,
Vol. 3 at 475-77 [Thunehorst testifying that he was buying drugs from Arnell, then from
Alvarado starting in 2007]; R., Vol. 3 Tr. at 674 [Arnell testifying that his source was
Alvarado], at 744-47 [Burkett testifying that he purchased methamphetamine from
Landry], at 758 [Freeman testifiying that he got methamphetamine from Alvarado].
Additionally, Acosta-Gallardo points out that Watson, Thunehorst, Arnell, and Burkett
testified that they never knew or heard of Acosta-Gallardo. Aplt’s Br. 19 (citing R., Vol.
3 at 469 [Watson]; R., Vol. 3 Tr. at 658 [Thunehorst], 701 [Arnell], 776 [Freeman]).
These arguments, however, are unpersuasive because it is well-established that a
conspirator need not know of the existence or identity of the other members of the
conspiracy or the full extent of the conspiracy. See Evans, 970 F.2d at 669-70. The
evidence must show that a conspirator has at least a general awareness of both the scope
and the objectives of the conspiracy. Id. Viewed in the light most favorable to the
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government, Alvarado-Gallardo was aware of the scope and objectives of the conspiracy.
He supplied an estimated ten pounds of methamphetamine to Alvarado and Alvarado
testified that he would generally purchase the drugs by the pound. See United States v.
Caro, 965 F.2d 1548, 1556 (10th Cir. 1992) (holding that a defendant's delivery of large
quantities of drugs provides circumstantial evidence that he was not merely a customer of
the conspiracy); United States v. Powell, 982 F.2d 1422, 1430 (10th Cir. 1992) (“[T]he
intent to distribute a controlled substance may be inferred from the possession of a large
quantity of the substance.”). Evidenced by the September 16, 2009 phone call, Alvarado
also provided feedback on the quality of the drugs provided by Acosta-Gallardo.
Alvarado returned to Acosta-Gallardo as a reliable supplier who could meet his volume
demands and provide a better quality of drugs than Juvenal Garcia.
Moreover, interdependence may be shown if a defendant’s activities “facilitated
the endeavors of other alleged co-conspirators or facilitated the venture as a whole.”
United States v. Heckard, 238 F.3d 1222, 1230 (10th Cir. 2001) (citing United States v.
Ivy, 83 F.3d 1266, 1286 (10th Cir. 1993)). “Co-conspirators are interdependent when
they ‘inten[d] to act together for their shared mutual benefit within the scope of the
conspiracy charged.’” United States v. Fishman, --- F.3d ----, 2011 WL 2084207, *9
(10th Cir. 2011) (quoting Evans, 970 F.2d at 671) (emphasis and alteration in Fishman).
As the government argues, the evidence here is sufficient to support finding of a chainand-link conspiracy where the overall objective was to possess and to distribute
methamphetamine for profit. See United States v. Dickey, 736 F.2d 571, 582 (10th Cir.
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1984). Acosta-Gallardo’s distributing drugs to Alvarado facilitated Alvarado’s further
distribution of drugs. In turn, some of Alvarado’s customers further distributed the drugs
to their own customers. Acosta-Gallardo’s advancing drugs to Alvarado on credit
facilitated Alvarado’s ability to sell the drugs because he did not need to pay for them up
front. Acosta-Gallardo could not profit unless Alvarado could successfully sell the drugs
and pay Acosta-Gallardo back for the drugs advanced. Thus, there was ample evidence
that Acosta-Gallardo’s actions facilitated the venture as a whole.
Acosta-Gallardo’s argument that he and co-defendant Landry were not
interdependent because they were involved in two separate conspiracies similarly fails.
Acosta-Gallardo argues that Alvarado was involved in one conspiracy involving the
purchase of drugs from three suppliers (of whom he was one), and in another conspiracy
involving the distribution of drugs into the District of Wyoming. Whether sufficient
evidence was presented to establish a single conspiracy is a question of fact for the jury to
decide. Dickey, 736 F.2d at 581 (citing United States v. Watson, 594 F.2d 1330, 1340
(10th Cir. 1979)). “When reviewing the jury’s decision, we view the evidence, both
direct and circumstantial, in the light most favorable to the government, and all
reasonable inferences and credibility choices must be made in support of the jury’s
verdict.” Id. at 581-82 (citing United States v. Pilling, 721 F.2d 286, 288-89 (10th Cir.
1983)). To make a finding of a single conspiracy, the jury must be convinced beyond a
reasonable doubt that the alleged coconspirators possessed a common, illicit goal. Id. at
582 (citing United States v. Brewer, 630 F.2d 795, 799 (10th Cir. 1980)). “To satisfy this
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‘common objective’ test . . ., the essential element of interdependence must be met. . .”
Id. (citing United States v. Peterson, 611 F.2d 1313, 1326-27 (10th Cir. 1979)).
The government presented ample evidence of interdependence among AcostaGallardo, Alvarado, and their co-defendants. Acosta-Gallardo’s ability to profit from his
sales of drugs to Alvarado depended on Alvarado’s ability to successfully sell the drugs to
his customers, many of whom were in Wyoming. Drawing reasonable inferences in favor
of the jury’s verdict, ample evidence existed to support the jury’s finding that AcostaGallardo and Landry were involved in a single conspiracy. Thus, Acosta-Gallardo’s
sufficiency-of-the-evidence challenge fails.
Accordingly, we AFFIRM Acosta-Gallardo’s conviction.

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