State of Louisiana Versus Long T. Nguyen ( 2023 )

STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 22-KA-286
VERSUS FIFTH CIRCUIT
LONG T. NGUYEN COURT OF APPEAL
STATE OF LOUISIANA
ON APPEAL FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA
NO. 19-5640, DIVISION "E"
HONORABLE FRANK A. BRINDISI, JUDGE PRESIDING
February 27, 2023
HANS J. LILJEBERG
JUDGE
Panel composed of Judges Marc E. Johnson,
Robert A. Chaisson, and Hans J. Liljeberg
AFFIRMED
HJL
MEJ
RAC
COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF/APPELLEE,
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Honorable Paul D. Connick, Jr.
Thomas J. Butler
Anne M. Wallis
Gabrielle Hosli
Michael G. Morales
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT,
LONG T. NGUYEN
Jane L. Beebe
LILJEBERG, J.
Defendant, Long. T. Nguyen, appeals his convictions and sentences for one
count of money laundering in the amount of $46,000.00, and two counts of
conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana greater than 2.5
pounds. For reasons stated more fully below, we affirm defendant’s convictions
and sentences.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
On March 14, 2022, a 12-person jury found defendant guilty of money
laundering in the amount of $46,000.00 in violation of La. R.S. 14:230(E)(3), and
two counts of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana greater
than 2.5 pounds in violation of La. R.S. 40:979 and La. R.S. 40:966(A). On April
1, 2022, defendant filed a motion for new trial and a motion for post-verdict
judgment of acquittal arguing that the State failed to introduce evidence to prove
he participated in the money laundering or the conspiracy to possess with the intent
to distribute marijuana. On April 5, 2022, the trial court sentenced defendant to
concurrent sentences of eighteen years for the money laundering conviction, and
eight years on each count for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana
greater than 2.5 pounds.
Immediately after sentencing defendant, the trial court denied the motions
for new trial and post-verdict judgment of acquittal.1 That same day, defendant
filed a motion to reconsider sentence and a motion for appeal. The trial court
granted the motion for appeal on April 8, 2022, and denied the motion to
reconsider sentence on April 25, 2022. Defendant now appeals his convictions by
1
Generally, trial courts must dispose of a motion for new trial and motion for post-verdict judgment of
acquittal prior to sentencing. See La. C.Cr.P. arts. 853(A) and 821(A). However, as discussed more fully
below in the Errors Patent section, we find that the trial court’s failure to rule on the motions for new trial
and post-verdict judgment of acquittal prior to sentencing was harmless error considering the particular
circumstances at issue in this case.
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challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, as well as the denial of his motions for
new trial and post-verdict judgment of acquittal raising the same issue.
THE EVIDENCE
The following evidence was developed at trial. Agent Eric Hymel with the
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office (JPSO) received information from a confidential
informant (CI) regarding the involvement of defendant and his wife, Bich Nguyen,
with narcotics trafficking, particularly shipments of marijuana from California.
The CI also identified Man Danh and Neil Hoang as individuals involved with
distributing the marijuana. Based on this information, in June 2019, Agent Hymel
obtained a warrant for GPS tracking information on Bich Nguyen’s phone and
determined that she and defendant were travelling between California and
Jefferson Parish.
Using the GPS tracking information, Agent Hymel set up surveillance of a
residence at 113 Burmaster Street in Belle Chasse, Louisiana on June 25, 2019. At
approximately 9:45 p.m., he observed defendant and his wife arrive at the
residence in a burgundy minivan. When defendant exited the vehicle, he was
carrying a reflective “yellowish-gold looking package” the size of a legal envelope.
They knocked on the door and were greeted by Neil Hoang, whom Agent Hymel
recognized as another person of interest identified by the CI. Agent Hymel saw
defendant hand Mr. Hoang the package as he entered the residence. Defendant and
his wife left the residence around 11:45 p.m. without the gold package.
Agent Hymel then followed the minivan to a duplex at 2218 North Broad in
New Orleans. Agent Hymel explained that based on the GPS tracking information,
he determined defendant and his wife had been staying at the address on North
Broad.2 The following day, Agent Hymel received new GPS tracking information
2
He discovered at a later time that this was an Airbnb property rented by defendant’s wife.
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and set up surveillance at around 4:15 p.m. at a residential four-plex located on 3
Heritage Lane in the Algiers area of New Orleans.3 He observed the same minivan
from the night before arrive at the Heritage Lane location at around 5:30 p.m.
Defendant and his wife left the residence a short time later, and Agent Hymel
followed them to the airport, where they picked up their three teenage children
who were arriving from Los Angeles. Agent Hymel then followed the minivan
back to the North Broad property, where they retrieved some items before
travelling again to the Westbank.
Agent Hymel then observed defendant, who was driving the minivan,
commit a traffic violation. Agent Hymel and two other agents, including Agent
Elvin Modica, conducted a traffic stop. Agent Hymel asked defendant to identify
himself, and defendant provided him with the false name “Hienh.” Agent Hymel
then asked defendant to step out of the vehicle. Defendant consented to a search of
the vehicle, but the agents found nothing of evidentiary value. Defendant’s wife,
Bich Nguyen, also consented to the search of her purse and Agent Modica found a
large quantity of cash totaling approximately $8,000.00. When asked about the
money, defendant stated they were going on vacation.
Agent Modica testified that the traffic stop then became a criminal
investigation and he advised Bich Nguyen of her Miranda4 rights. Once she
indicated that she understood those rights, she consented to a search of her cell
phone. Agent Modica found pictures of different types of marijuana, as well as
text messages regarding the sales of narcotics, prices and strains, indicating Bich
Nguyen’s involvement in the distribution of large quantities of marijuana.
All of the occupants of the vehicle were then transported to the detective’s
bureau. There, defendant was advised of his Miranda rights. Defendant told
3
Agent Hymel also discovered at a later time that this was another Airbnb property rented by defendant’s wife.
4
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966).
22-KA-286 3
Agent Hymel that he lied about his name during the traffic stop because he was
scared. Agent Hymel explained that he attempted to get further information, but
defendant requested an attorney. Agent Hymel also advised Bich Nguyen of her
Miranda rights again. He testified that she “apparently no longer was able to speak
English” after the advisal.
During the consensual search of Bich Nguyen’s cell phone, agents also
found information implicating Man Danh, another individual identified by the CI.
Agents were sent to Mr. Danh’s residence at 3300 Wall Boulevard, Apartment 2C,
to investigate. Agents obtained consent to search the residence where they found
narcotics. Mr. Danh and his girlfriend, Lein Troung, were arrested.
Agent Hymel then contacted the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD)
for assistance to obtain a search warrant at 2218 North Broad, where defendant and
his wife previously stayed. During the search, agents found empty shipping boxes
with the name “Andy Tran” on them. Agent Hymel testified that the CI told him
that “Andy Tran” was an alias used by defendant to traffic narcotics and conceal
his identity. On cross-examination, he admitted that he did not include this
particular information obtained from the CI in his police report.
After searching the Broad Street property, Agent Hymel returned to his
office and looked through Bich Nguyen’s cell phone again. He discovered Airbnb
information indicating that she checked out of the residence at 2218 North Broad
that day and obtained another Airbnb on Heritage Lane in Algiers. With the
assistance of the NOPD, Agent Hymel obtained a warrant for the Heritage Lane
location, and agents accessed the property using a key in defendant’s possession.
There, they found a gold package containing marijuana weighing one or two
pounds. Agent Hymel testified that this gold package was the same as the package
he observed defendant hand to Neil Hoang at the Burmaster address in Belle
Chasse.
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Agent Hymel also testified that during their consensual search of Bich
Nguyen’s cell phone, they found a tracking number that showed a package was to
be delivered on June 27, 2019 to “Andy Tran” at the 3300 Wall Boulevard address
(Man Danh’s address) and determined it would be routed through the UPS office in
Harvey. He obtained a search warrant and contacted UPS management to seize the
package before it went out for delivery. The package contained approximately
eight pounds of marijuana and originated from Garden Grove, California. Agent
Hymel explained that the box was not a standard shipping box because it contained
a heavier wooden insert. Inside of the wooden insert, he found packages with the
same distinct gold packaging as packages previously found at the Heritage Lane
and Burmaster locations. Agent Hymel explained that the marijuana was vacuum-
sealed and in the gold bags to make it undetectable by a canine.
After Agent Hymel saw the same gold packaging, he contacted Agent Fisher
with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office regarding the Burmaster property
where Neil Hoang resided, and Agent Fisher obtained a search warrant for the
residence. At trial, Agent Fisher testified regarding photographs of the evidence
seized during the search, which included packaged marijuana and money. Agent
Fisher testified that they found packaging consistent with larger level distribution
networks. They also found gold packaging consistent with the packaging found at
the Burmaster and Heritage Lane locations. Mr. Hoang and his wife were arrested
following the search.
Agent Hymel also testified about the result of search warrants obtained for
Bich Nguyen’s cell phones. He found an outgoing text message from her phone
that stated, “Hi LG, this is Bich, Andy’s wife.” He also found photographs of
marijuana, photographs of tracking numbers and money orders, as well as a
photograph of a shipping label with the name “Andy Tran” above the address,
3300 Wall Boulevard, Apartment C (again Man Danh’s address). Agent Hymel
22-KA-286 5
also testified about a message sent by Bich Nguyen from her phone dated June 21,
2019, that provided an email address, andybich02@gmail.com., with a password,
“Long 1122.”
Agent Hymel explained that he also obtained a search warrant for
defendant’s cell phone. Agent Hymel read the following text messages sent from
and received on defendant’s phone indicating that defendant used the alias “Andy
Tran”: “Andy, someone going to call you for Dee,” “Slim. It’s Andy. Bro, what’s
up with my sit? Call back,” and “Andy, did you give Dee [sic] brother a hundred
dollars to give to me?” Agent Hymel also directed the jury’s attention to the
following message sent from defendant’s phone:
Hi my name is andy your husband friend. If he call you today can you
ask him what can i do for them and can you please ask him to tell the
white boy im trying to bail him uot but they ask for alot plus the house
because im from cali the white boys form mis that why ask him what
should i do please ask him to call e too
In addition to text messages, Agent Hymel found photographs on
defendant’s phone that showed a package addressed to “Andy Tran” at “2218
North Broad Street.” He located a Chime bank information sheet with defendant’s
name, email address, a phone number, and Mr. Danh’s address at 3300 Wall
Boulevard. Another photograph reflected the name “Andy Tran” and the address
of 2218 North Broad Street, and a screen shot relating to Amazon also contained
the address “Andy Tran, 3300 Wall Boulevard, Apartment 2C.” Agent Hymel
admitted on cross-examination that he did not locate any photographs of or text
messages regarding the Bank of America account, tracking numbers, money
orders, or marijuana on defendant’s phone. He also testified that he was unaware
that another individual named Andy Tran pled guilty to distributing marijuana in
Jefferson Parish in 2017.
22-KA-286 6
Agent Hymel explained that he also authored search warrants to various
banks associated with receipts found in Bich Nguyen’s phone and purse. Agents
also discovered numerous receipts for tracking numbers, MoneyGram and Western
Union money orders in her purse and phone. In addition to the cash described
above, a closer examination of the contents of Bich Nguyen’s purse revealed that
she had money orders dated from May and June of 2019 totaling approximately
$46,000.00. Agent Hymel explained that the individual money orders were in
amounts that were small enough so that identification would not have to be
provided for the transaction. Agent Hymel also found a W-2 form in Bich
Nguyen’s purse indicating that she only made approximately $13,000.00 for the
reported year.
He further testified regarding receipts found in Bich Nguyen’s purse for
withdrawals and deposits into a Bank of America account in Garden Grove,
California, where defendant and his wife have an address. Agent Hymel testified
that defendant also had a Bank of America card with Bich Nguyen’s name on it in
his possession when he was brought to the detective’s bureau. Agent Hymel also
explained that once he began examining the tracking numbers, he was able to
determine that money sent from here corresponded with packages received here.
In addition to this evidence gathered in 2019, agents received information
about an additional marijuana shipment in 2021. Detective Gerard Simone with
the JPSO testified that on January 8, 2021, the patrol division received a call about
a large amount of narcotics shipped in error to 2152 Carol Sue where Julie Doh
and Heinh Nguyen resided. The residents were upset and called the police. The
box was shipped to Julia Nguyen at 2152 Carol Sue Avenue, Apartment A, in
Gretna. Just as with the prior shipment intercepted at the UPS facility, the
cardboard box was lined with wood sheets and contained seven individual vacuum-
sealed bags of marijuana in gold packaging. The total weight of the marijuana was
22-KA-286 7
approximately seven pounds. The residents consented to a search of their rooms
and phones, but nothing linking them to the package was found.
Detective Simone spoke to an assistant investigator on the scene and other
investigators involved in the 2019 case. Defendant was incarcerated at that time,
and agents decided to listen to and monitor his calls from the jail. Detective
Simone searched the jail phone call database and discovered that defendant made
over a hundred phone calls to his wife, most of which were in Vietnamese.
Detective Simone reached out to Deputy Joe Nguyen for translation assistance, and
the deputy was able to translate some of the calls.5 Detective Simone explained
that they found that defendant’s wife called him at the jail the night the package
had been seized “freaking out saying that they’d been robbed, another one had
been stolen. They were -- He was consoling her telling her it’s okay, we’ll get it
back[.]” In some earlier calls, defendant told his wife to access an email address
with information to access a storage unit and he provided her with the gate code.
In a later call, he believed they were discussing a missing package involved in the
incident that occurred on January 8, 2021, at the Carol Sue location. Detective
Simone testified that in the jail calls, Bich Nguyen reached out to defendant and
took instructions, indicating that they were both involved even though defendant
was in jail at the time.6
Detective Simone further testified that they continued to monitor defendant’s
jail calls, but they could not locate the storage unit discussed by defendant and his
5
Deputy Joe Nguyen with JPSO testified that he has spoken Vietnamese his entire life and is Vietnamese. He
acknowledged that he is not a certified Vietnamese translator, but that he is often called upon by other officers to
assist in translating. Further, prior to Deputy Nguyen’s testimony, the State and defendant stipulated that Deputy
Nguyen translated the calls from their “raw and natural form,” and he did not listen to the audio of the calls after it
had been enhanced by the JPSO computer network systems specialist. Further, they stipulated that a tape of
enhanced audio was provided to and analyzed by three certified court-approved Vietnamese interpreters, and none
of them were able to make a transcription due to large portions of the tape being inaudible, as well as the interpreters
saying that the quality of the voices were so difficult to hear that it was very hard to make out complete sentences.
6
Agent Modica testified that, though the calls were difficult to hear, what they “gathered from this conversation is
that there was direction, the direction was coming from Long Nguyen to Bich Nguyen, and it seemed like she was
receiving the orders and we knew that she was being directed to a storage unit.”
22-KA-286 8
wife. Detective Simone then went to speak to Bich Nguyen at her apartment at
500 Wall Boulevard, Unit 110. Upon approaching the apartment he detected the
odor of marijuana. Ms. Nguyen answered the door and initially agreed to speak to
the agents but then quickly slammed the door and locked it. She did not respond to
any additional knocking and announcing.
Detective Simone testified that he authored and obtained a search warrant
for Bich Nguyen’s apartment at 500 Wall Boulevard, Unit 110. In searching the
apartment, they found 22 pounds of marijuana vacuum-sealed in green metallic
wrapping paper. Detective Simone testified that there were numerous boxes with
wood lining similar to the ones seized on January 8, 2021, and in 2019. They also
found the cut tops of the vacuum-sealed bags labeled with the strain or variety of
different kinds of marijuana. They found a vacuum-sealer and digital scale, which
Detective Simone stated were used for weighing and packaging narcotics for
distribution. They also found a grey tub and a backpack with sealed bags of
marijuana, a quantity of cash, marijuana in the freezer and concealed under a
bathroom sink, and a box addressed to defendant.7
They also located a Life Storage pamphlet with a hand-written sticky note
with “541.” A Life Storage self-storage unit business was located directly next to
Bich Nguyen’s apartment complex. Detective Simone determined that the storage
unit was rented in early January 2021, and obtained a search warrant for storage
Unit 541 at that location. During the search, they found additional bags of
vacuum-sealed marijuana wrapped in green metallic paper, unused green metallic
paper, additional packing slips, and a large quantity of gold metallic wrapping
paper. Wood-lined cardboard boxes, packaging materials, and a suitcase
7
Detective Simone explained that while they were at the Wall Boulevard residence, Thuy Dejaune Pham
and Nghia Hoang appeared. Mr. Hoang wore a backpack identical to the one found in the apartment.
Detective Simone indicated that marijuana was found in Mr. Hoang’s backpack and truck. Packaging
slips were also found in his truck.
22-KA-286 9
containing vacuum-sealed marijuana wrapped in green metallic paper were also
found.
LAW AND DISCUSSION
In his assignments of error, defendant argues that the trial court erred in
denying his motion for new trial and post-verdict judgment of acquittal because the
evidence was insufficient to prove his identity or involvement in the crimes at
issue. Defendant argues that the State failed to meet the standard set forth in
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979).
Defendant argues that “[t]he only question in this case was who was running the
marijuana sales operation and laundering the money.” He contends that Bich
Nguyen was the perpetrator, and his convictions and sentences should be reversed.
The State avers that it proved not only that defendant was part of the entire
scheme to distribute illegal narcotics and launder money, but that defendant
profited from the illegal and unlawful activity by money laundering. The State
contends that it connected defendant to the name “Andy Tran.” The State further
argues that defendant was aware of all operations and that between he and his wife,
there was a conspiracy and an intent to distribute marijuana. The State concludes
that it established all of the elements of money laundering and conspiracy to
distribute marijuana.
The question of sufficiency of the evidence is properly raised in the trial
court by a motion for post-verdict judgment of acquittal pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art.
821. State v. Williams, 20-46 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/30/20), 308 So.3d 791, 816, writ
denied, 21-316 (La. 5/25/21), 316 So.3d 2. In the present case, defendant timely
filed such a motion.
The constitutional standard for sufficiency of the evidence is whether, upon
viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier
of fact could find that the State proved all of the essential elements of the crime
22-KA-286 10
beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson, supra; State v. Chinchilla, 20-60 (La. App. 5
Cir. 12/23/20), 307 So.3d 1189, 1195, writ denied, 21-274 (La. 4/27/21), 314 So.3d
838, cert. denied, -- U.S. --, 142 S.Ct. 296, 211 L.Ed.2d 138 (2021). This directive
that the evidence be viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution requires
the reviewing court to defer to the actual trier of fact’s rational credibility calls,
evidence weighing, and inference drawing. State v. Clifton, 17-538 (La. App. 5
Cir. 5/23/18), 248 So.3d 691, 702. This deference to the fact-finder does not
permit a reviewing court to decide whether it believes a witness or whether the
conviction is contrary to the weight of the evidence. State v. Hayman, 20-323 (La.
App. 5 Cir. 4/28/21), 347 So.3d 1030, 1040. Further, a reviewing court errs by
substituting its appreciation of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses for that
of the fact-finder and overturning a verdict on the basis of an exculpatory
hypothesis of innocence presented to, and rationally rejected by, the jury. State v.
Lane, 20-181 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/27/21), 310 So.3d 794, 804. As a result, under the
Jackson standard, a review of the record for sufficiency of the evidence does not
require the reviewing court to determine whether the evidence at trial established
guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, but whether, upon review of the whole record,
any rational trier of fact would have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State
v. Ordonez, 16-619 (La. App. 5 Cir. 3/15/17), 215 So.3d 473, 477.
In addition to proving the statutory elements of the charged offense at trial,
the State is required to prove the perpetrator’s identity. When the key issue is
identification, the State must negate any reasonable probability of misidentification
in order to carry its burden of proof. State v. Walker, 10-536 (La. App. 5 Cir.
5/10/11), 66 So.3d 486, 491, writ denied, 11-1103 (La. 11/23/11), 76 So.3d 1149.
A positive identification by only one witness is sufficient to support a conviction.
State v. Harrell, 19-371 (La. App. 5 Cir. 7/8/20), 299 So.3d 1274, 1281.
22-KA-286 11
Evidence may be either direct or circumstantial. Circumstantial evidence
consists of proof of collateral facts and circumstances from which the existence of
the main fact can be inferred according to reason and common experience. State v.
Lloyd, 21-645 (La. App. 5 Cir. 8/24/22), 348 So.3d 222, 231, writ denied, 22-1354
(La. 11/22/22), 350 So.3d 499. Where circumstantial evidence forms the basis of a
conviction, the circumstances must be so clearly proven that they point not merely
to the possibility or probability of guilt, but to the moral certainty of guilt. State v.
Nelson, 14-252 (La. App. 5 Cir. 3/11/15), 169 So.3d 493, 501, writ denied, 15-685
(La. 2/26/16), 187 So.3d 468. The rule as to circumstantial evidence is “assuming
every fact to be proved that the evidence tends to prove, in order to convict, it must
exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence.” Id. (citing La. R.S. 15:438).
This is not a separate test from the Jackson standard but rather provides a helpful
basis for determining the existence of reasonable doubt. State v. Manuel, 20-172
(La. App. 5 Cir. 6/2/21), 325 So.3d 513, 539, writ denied, 21-926 (La. 10/12/21),
325 So.3d 1071.
The credibility of witnesses is within the sound discretion of the trier of fact,
who may accept or reject, in whole or in part, the testimony of any witness; the
credibility of the witnesses will not be reweighed on appeal. State v. Bartholomew,
18-670 (La. App. 5 Cir. 10/23/19), 282 So.3d 374, 382. Absent internal
contradiction or irreconcilable conflict with physical evidence, one witness’s
testimony, if believed by the trier of fact, is sufficient support for a requisite factual
conclusion. State v. Washington, 16-732 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/12/17), 219 So.3d
1221, 1226. It is not this Court’s function to assess the witnesses’ credibility or re-
weigh the evidence. State v. Lane, 20-137 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/23/20), 309 So.3d
886, 906, writ denied, 21-100 (La. 4/27/21), 314 So.3d 836.
Defendant was convicted of one count of money laundering between
$20,000.00 and $99,999.00 in violation of La. R.S. 14:230(E)(3) and two counts of
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conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana greater than 2.5 pounds in
violation of La. R.S. 40:979 and La. R.S. 40:966(A).
La. R.S. 14:230 provides in part:
B. It is unlawful for any person knowingly to do any of the following:
(1) Conduct, supervise, or facilitate a financial transaction involving
proceeds known to be derived from criminal activity, when the
transaction is designed in whole or in part to conceal or disguise the
nature, location, source, ownership, or the control of proceeds known
to be derived from such violation or to avoid a transaction reporting
requirement under state or federal law.
(2) Give, sell, transfer, trade, invest, conceal, transport, maintain an
interest in, or otherwise make available anything of value known to be
for the purpose of committing or furthering the commission of any
criminal activity.
(3) Direct, plan, organize, initiate, finance, manage, supervise, or
facilitate the transportation or transfer of proceeds known to be
derived from any violation of criminal activity.
(4) Receive or acquire proceeds derived from any violation of
criminal activity, or knowingly or intentionally engage in any
transaction that the person knows involves proceeds from any such
violations.
(5) Acquire or maintain an interest in, receive, conceal, possess,
transfer, or transport the proceeds of criminal activity.
(6) Invest, expend, or receive, or offer to invest, expend, or receive,
the proceeds of criminal activity.
“‘Criminal activity’ means any offense, including conspiracy and attempt to
commit the offense, that is classified as a felony under the laws of this state[.]” La.
R.S. 14:230(A). La. R.S. 14:2(4) defines a felony as “any crime for which an
offender may be sentenced to death or imprisonment at hard labor.”
In the instant case, the evidence indicates that the money at issue constituted
the proceeds of a criminal activity. The offense of conspiracy to possess with
intent to distribute marijuana greater than 2.5 pounds is punishable by a term of
imprisonment at hard labor for up to ten years and a fine. La. R.S. 40:979 and La.
R.S. 40:966(A). Therefore, the money made from the distribution of marijuana
22-KA-286 13
would be the proceeds of criminal activity. See State v. Trevino, 07-870 (La. App.
5 Cir. 5/27/08), 985 So.2d 851, 857-58, writ denied, 08-1900 (La. 4/3/09), 6 So.3d
768.
Factors helpful in determining whether an alleged money laundering
transaction was designed to conceal the source of the proceeds include: statements
by a defendant probative of intent to conceal; unusual secrecy surrounding the
transaction; structuring the transaction in a way to avoid attention; depositing
illegal profits in the bank account of a legitimate business; highly irregular features
of the transaction; using third parties to conceal the real owner; a series of unusual
financial moves cumulating in the transaction; or expert testimony on the practices
of criminals. State v. Duhon, 18-593 (La. App. 1 Cir. 12/28/18), 270 So.3d 597,
612, writ denied, 19-124 (La. 5/28/19), 273 So.3d 315.
In addition, the crime of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute
marijuana requires proof that the defendant knowingly and intentionally possessed
the drug and that he or she did so with the specific intent to distribute it. State v.
Cooks, 12-237 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/30/13), 108 So.3d 1257, 1265, writ denied, 13-
454 (La. 9/20/13), 123 So.3d 164. When the specific intent to distribute a
controlled dangerous substance is based on circumstantial evidence, the State must
prove the amount of the substance and/or manner in which it was carried was
inconsistent with personal use. Intent to distribute illegal drugs may be established
by proving circumstances surrounding the defendant’s possession which gives rise
to reasonable inferences of intent to distribute. Id.The element of possession may be established by showing that the defendant
exercised either actual or constructive possession of the substance. State v.
Drewery, 12-236 (La. App. 5 Cir. 1/30/13), 108 So.3d 1246, 1253. A person not in
physical possession of the drug is considered to be in constructive possession of
the drug, even though the drug is not in his physical custody, when it is under that
22-KA-286 14
person’s dominion and control. State v. Richardson, 18-717 (La. App. 5 Cir.
9/4/19), 279 So.3d 501, 508-09, writ denied, 19-1722 (La. 7/2/20), 297 So.3d 764.
The key factors to be considered in determining whether a defendant exercised
dominion and control sufficient to constitute constructive possession are the
defendant’s knowledge that illegal drugs were in the area, his relations with a
person found to be in actual possession, the defendant’s access to the area where
the drugs were found, evidence of recent drug use by the defendant, the existence
of drug paraphernalia, and evidence that the area was frequented by drug users. Id.Further, the elements of the crime of conspiracy are: (1) an agreement or
combination of two or more persons for the specific purpose of committing a
crime, plus (2) an act done in furtherance of the object of the agreement or
combination. State v. Davis, 12-512 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/24/13), 115 So.3d 68, 77,
writ denied, 13-1205 (La. 11/22/13), 126 So.3d 479. Proof of a conspiracy may be
made by direct or circumstantial evidence. Id. The first element of conspiracy
requires specific intent, which is defined in La. R.S. 14:10 as that state of mind
which exists when the circumstances indicate that the offender actively desired the
prescribed criminal consequences to follow his act or failure to act. Intent may be
inferred from the circumstances of the transaction and the actions of the defendant.
State v. Boudoin, 11-967 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/27/12), 106 So.3d 1213, 1222, writ
denied, 13-255 (La. 8/30/13), 120 So.3d 260.
In the instant case, the evidence indicates that the name “Andy Tran” was
linked to defendant. Agent Hymel testified that defendant used the name “Andy
Tran” to conceal his identity. He indicated that extractions from both defendant’s
phone and his wife’s phone indicated that defendant used that alias and had an
email address associated with the alias. Agent Hymel also testified that the
informant told him defendant used the alias “Andy Tran.”
22-KA-286 15
During the traffic stop, approximately $8,000.00 was found in Bich
Nguyen’s purse. Photographs and messages on her phone indicated the selling of
illegal narcotics and contained tracking numbers. The name “Andy Tran” was
included in some of those text messages.
Agent Hymel testified that between May and June of 2019, a total of
$46,000.00 was moved by defendant and his wife through various financial
institutions in small structured denominations, which he indicated was done so that
the money could discreetly be moved without providing identification. Evidence
indicated that some Bank of America transactions went to Garden Grove,
California, where defendant and his wife have an address.
The police intercepted a package on June 27, 2019. The package had a
tracking number on Bich Nguyen’s phone, was addressed to “Andy Tran” at 3300
Wall Boulevard, and was sent from Garden Grove, California. The package
contained eight pounds of marijuana. That box had the same distinct gold
packaging that was found at the Heritage Lane location where defendant and his
wife were staying, and that defendant brought into the home in Belle Chasse.
Agent Hymel also discovered from examining the evidence that the money sent
corresponded to packages received.
A misdelivered package discovered on January 8, 2021, also contained gold
cellophane wrapped bundles of seven pounds of marijuana. The box was similar to
others in this case. Agent Hymel went to the Heritage Lane location later in the
investigation. While the property was rented in Bich Nguyen’s name, the agents
used a key found in defendant’s possession when he was arrested to access the
apartment. Agents located one or two pounds of marijuana bundled in gold
cellophane wrapper.
Defendant and his wife discussed a missing package and a storage unit in
recorded calls between them while he was in jail. Agents gathered from those
22-KA-286 16
conversations that defendant was giving orders to his wife and directing her to the
storage unit. Detective Simone indicated that defendant brought up the storage
unit first and gave his wife the gate code.
Bich Nguyen’s apartment at 500 Wall Boulevard was searched on February
10, 2021. In searching the apartment, officers found 22 pounds of marijuana
packaged in a similar manner to that previously seized. There were numerous
boxes with wood lining similar to the ones seized on January 8, 2021, and in 2019.
Agents found the cut tops of the vacuum-sealed bags labeled with the strain or
variety of different kinds of marijuana, a vacuum-sealer, and a digital scale. A box
addressed to defendant was found in the apartment.
The storage unit was searched, and they found marijuana and green
packaging similar to the packaging observed in Bich Nguyen’s apartment, and gold
packaging similar to prior seizures. Wood-lined cardboard boxes and a suitcase
containing vacuum-sealed marijuana wrapped in green metallic paper were also
found.
Considering the foregoing, we find the evidence showed that defendant and
his wife worked together to engage in the movement of approximately $46,000.00
through various financial institutions and that that money was the proceeds of their
marijuana distribution. Money that was transferred corresponded to packages.
The agents recovered eight pounds of marijuana in the intercepted package
addressed to “Andy Tran,” seven pounds of marijuana in the mistakenly delivered
package, one or two pounds at the Heritage Lane apartment, and another 22 pounds
at the apartment at 500 Wall Boulevard. Similar distinct packaging was found in
all of the packages, two apartments, and the storage unit. The jail calls reflected
that defendant worked in concert with his wife.
The jury heard all testimony and viewed all evidence in this matter and
found the evidence to be credible. This Court should not second guess credibility
22-KA-286 17
determinations. See Chinchilla, supra. Accordingly, considering the law and the
evidence admitted at trial, we conclude that a rational trier of fact, viewing the
evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, could have found beyond a
reasonable doubt that the evidence was sufficient to find that defendant committed
the offenses under the standard set forth in Jackson. We further find that the judge
did not err in denying the motions for post-verdict judgment of acquittal and new
trial.
ERRORS PATENT DISCUSSION
The record was reviewed for errors patent, according to La. C.Cr.P. art.
920;8 State v. Oliveaux, 312 So.2d 337 (La. 1975), and State v. Weiland, 556 So.2d
175 (La. App. 5th Cir. 1990).
First, we observe a discrepancy between the transcript and the sentencing
minute entry. Although the minute entry reflects that defendant was properly
advised of the time period for seeking post-conviction relief pursuant to La.
C.Cr.P. art. 930.8, the transcript does not show a proper advisal as to post-
conviction relief. Where there is a discrepancy between the transcript and the
minute entry, the transcript generally prevails. State v. Lynch, 441 So.2d 732, 734
(La. 1983). If a trial court fails to advise, or provides an incomplete advisal,
pursuant to La. C.Cr.P. art. 930.8, the appellate court may correct this error by
informing the defendant of the applicable prescriptive period for post-conviction
relief by means of its opinion. State v. Becnel, 18-549 (La. App. 5 Cir. 2/6/19),
265 So.3d 1017, 1022. Accordingly, we advise defendant by way of this opinion,
that no application for post-conviction relief, including applications which seek an
out-of-time appeal, shall be considered if it is filed more than two years after the
judgment of conviction and sentence has become final under the provisions of La.
La. C.Cr.P. art. 920(2) states that an error patent is “[a]n error that is discoverable by an
8
inspection of the pleadings and proceedings and without inspection of the evidence.”
22-KA-286 18
C.Cr.P. arts. 914 or 922. See State v. Barnett, 18-254 (La. App. 5 Cir. 4/3/19), 267
So.3d 209, 235.
We further find that the trial court erred by sentencing defendant prior to
disposing of his motions for new trial and post-verdict judgment of acquittal. A
judgment regarding a motion for post-verdict judgment of acquittal must be filed
and disposed of prior to sentencing. See La. C.Cr.P. art. 821(A). Further, La.
C.Cr.P. art. 853 provides that “[e]xcept as otherwise provided by this Article, a
motion for new trial must be filed and disposed of before sentence.” Generally,
when a trial court fails to dispose of a motion for new trial or a motion for post-
verdict judgment of acquittal prior to sentencing, this Court has determined that the
sentence must be vacated and the matter remanded for resentencing. See, e.g.,
State v. Williams, 11-65 (La. App. 5 Cir. 12/13/11), 81 So.3d 908, 909; State v.
Common, 10-996 (La. App. 5 Cir. 11/15/11), 78 So.3d 237, writ denied, 11-2779
(La. 9/28/12), 98 So.3d 825.
However, we find this matter to be distinguishable for several reasons,
including the fact that the trial court disposed of defendant’s motions immediately
after sentencing defendant, defendant waived the 24-hour delay for sentencing
required by La. C.Cr.P. art. 873, and defendant does not raise any issues on appeal
with respect to his sentence. In State v. Brooks, 00-106 (La. App. 5 Cir. 9/26/00),
769 So.2d 1242, 1246, this Court encountered similar circumstances and
determined that the trial court’s error in ruling on a motion for new trial
immediately after sentencing was harmless and did not require remand for
resentencing:
The record further reflects that Brooks' motion for new trial was ruled
upon immediately after she had been sentenced. LSA–C.Cr.P. art. 853
provides in pertinent part that “[a] motion for a new trial must be filed
and disposed of before sentence.” This Court has held that sentencing
prior to a ruling on these motions must be set aside and the case
remanded for a ruling on the motions and then re-sentencing. In this
case, there was a ruling on the motion for new trial after sentencing
22-KA-286 19
and there is no need to remand for a ruling on that motion. Further,
Brooks noted that she had planned on waiving her 24–hour sentencing
delay between a ruling on the motion for new trial and sentencing.
The timing of the trial court, although incorrect, constitutes harmless
error. [Internal citations omitted.]
See also State v. Nicholas, 10-866 (La. App. 5 Cir. 5/24/11), 67 So.3d 610, 616-17;
State v. Magee, 17-1217 (La. App. 1 Cir. 2/27/18), 243 So.3d 151, 165, writ
denied, 18-509 (La. 2/11/19), 263 So.3d 434; State v. Thornton, 18-1013, pp. 7-8
(La. App. 1 Cir. 12/21/18), 2018 WL 6716976.
Just as in Brooks, supra, we also find that the trial court erred with respect to
its timing in denying the motions for new trial and post-verdict judgment of
acquittal after sentencing. However, because the trial court ruled on the motions
during the same hearing, and defendant waived delays and does not assert any
errors on appeal with respect to his sentences, we find the trial court’s incorrect
timing harmless.
DECREE
For the reasons stated above, we affirm defendant’s convictions and
sentences for one count of money laundering in the amount of $46,000.00, and two
counts of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute marijuana greater than
2.5 pounds.
AFFIRMED
22-KA-286 20
SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL
CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT
SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
ROBERT A. CHAISSON LINDA M. WISEMAN
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
HANS J. LILJEBERG
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400
(504) 376-1498 FAX
www.fifthcircuit.org
NOTICE OF JUDGMENT AND CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE OPINION IN THE BELOW-NUMBERED MATTER HAS BEEN DELIVERED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 2-16.4 AND 2-16.5 THIS DAY
FEBRUARY 27, 2023 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, CLERK OF COURT, COUNSEL OF RECORD AND ALL PARTIES
NOT REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:
22-KA-286
E-NOTIFIED
24TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT (CLERK)
HONORABLE FRANK A. BRINDISI (DISTRICT JUDGE)
ANNE M. WALLIS (APPELLEE) THOMAS J. BUTLER (APPELLEE) JANE L. BEEBE (APPELLANT)
MAILED
HONORABLE PAUL D. CONNICK, JR.
(APPELLEE)
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
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ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS
TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
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