United States v. Rayfield

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
File Name: 06a0630n.06
Filed: August 24, 2006
Nos. 04-6400, 05-5262, 05-5263, 05-5318
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
Plaintiff-Appellee, )
v. )
)
FREDIS FONSECA, JOSE HOLSENT )
PEREZ, DONNIE RAYFIELD, ISRAEL ) ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
CARBALLEA, ) STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
Defendants-Appellants. ) THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF
) TENNESSEE
)
)
)
)
) OPINION
________________________________________
BEFORE: KEITH and BATCHELDER, Circuit Judges; ALDRICH, District Judge.*
PER CURIAM. Defendants-Appellants Fredis Fonseca (“Fonseca”), Israel Carballea
(“Carballea”), Jose Holsent Perez (“Perez”), and Donnie Rayfield (“Rayfield”) were charged with
conspiring to violate the drug laws by knowingly distributing more than 500 grams of a substance
containing methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a substance containing powder cocaine, and
more than 50 kilograms of marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846. Additionally,
Fonseca and Carballea were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in violation of
18 U.S.C. § 1956. Fonseca and Carballea pleaded guilty, while Perez and Rayfield went to trial.
*
The Honorable Ann Aldrich, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio,
sitting by designation.
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The jury returned a verdict against Perez and Rayfield finding them guilty as charged. The district
court sentenced Fonseca to a concurrent term of 168 months imprisonment, Carballea to 195 months
imprisonment, Perez to 121 months imprisonment, and Rayfield to 70 months imprisonment. Both
Perez and Rayfield appeal their convictions and the district court’s sentencing determinations, while
Fonseca and Carballea only appeal the district court’s sentencing determinations. For the following
reasons, this Court AFFIRMS Perez’s and Rayfield’s convictions and the district court’s sentencing
determinations with regard to all of the Defendants.
I. BACKGROUND
A. Facts
This case involves a group of Cuban emigrants residing in the Dalton, Georgia, area who
formed an illegal conspiracy to buy quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana from
out-of-state sources for resale. The conspiracy operated for approximately two years, from 2001
until the fall of 2003, when some of the co-conspirators were arrested. This appeal involves four
of the seventeen defendants that were charged and convicted. The following summarizes the
pertinent facts of the case.
Fonseca and Carballea’s Offense Conduct
Fonseca immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1995. In December 1999, after living
in Florida and Alabama, Fonseca moved to Dalton, Georgia. Carballea, a Cuban who lived in
Dalton, developed a friendship with Fonseca. In 2001, Fonseca and Carballea became partners in
an extensive drug ring, which involved selling various quantities of methamphetamine, powder
cocaine, and marijuana. At trial, Fonseca admitted that when they were arrested in 2003, he had
personally made over $250,000 selling methamphetamine.
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In California, Fonseca and Carballea purchased methamphetamine from Emilio Barajas
(“Barajas”) in ten-pound increments for approximately $50,000. After Barajas was arrested, they
purchased from another California source, Armando Alvarez. Fonseca and Carballea also purchased
methamphetamine from other sources in California and Georgia. Fonseca would break the
methamphetamine down and sell one pound for $8,000, a half-pound for $4,000, and a quarter-
pound for $2,000.
Pedro Pablo Izquierdo (“Izquierdo”), Carlos Fernandez (“Fernandez”), and Gerardo Marrero
(“Marrero”) were drug couriers for Fonseca and Carballea. The couriers stored the
methamphetamine at their residences; in exchange, Fonseca and Carballea paid half of their rent in
addition to a weekly salary.
The operation of the business functioned as follows: Fonseca and Carballea would give a
customer their cell phone numbers, the customer would call and place a drug order, Fonseca and
Carballea would contact one of the couriers and advise where and how much to deliver, and the
courier wold deliver the drugs to the customer. Fonseca or Carballea would collect the cash
payment for the drug delivery at a later date or the customer would pay the courier upon delivery.
Their customers were in the Dalton, Georgia, area and in Tennessee.
Ronnie Edwards (“Edwards”) was one of Fonseca’s regular customers who would also resell
methamphetamine. Edwards would buy four ounces at time from Fonseca, valued at $1,800, and
sell it for a profit of $500 to $600. One of Edwards’ regular customers was Doug McDonald, who
lived in Bradley County, Tennessee, and would drive to Georgia to pick up the methamphetamine.
Sterling Christopher Stewart (“Stewart”) was another one of Fonseca’s regular
methamphetamine customers. Stewart lived in Cleveland, Tennessee. In his first deal with Fonseca,
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Stewart came to Fonseca’s apartment and purchased a half of a pound of methamphetamine for
$4,000. Fonseca gave Stewart his phone number and thereafter Stewart would call and order his
methamphetamine from Fonseca and then meet one of Fonseca’s couriers to pick up the
methamphetamine. This continued for about nineteen months with a four-month break when
Stewart was arrested for possessing an ounce of methamphetamine. After his arrest, Stewart called
Fonseca and told him that he needed to make some money and Fonseca gave him a pound of
methamphetamine on credit. Subsequently, Stewart began buying a pound of methamphetamine
from Fonseca every two weeks for $8,000. Stewart would meet Fonseca’s couriers at various
locations near the Tennessee and Georgia state line. In March 2003, Stewart was arrested in this
case.
Perez’s Offense Conduct
In 1991, Defendant Perez met Fonseca in Alabama. When Fonseca moved to Dalton,
Georgia, Fonseca opened a Mexican restaurant and a seafood restaurant. When Perez moved to
Dalton, Fonseca hired him to manage the seafood restaurant. In 2002, the restaurant was not
bringing in revenue, so Perez asked Fonseca if he could join the methamphetamine business.
Initially, Fonseca gave Perez a pound of methamphetamine for $7,000 to sell.
Later, Perez began buying his methamphetamine from a source in Atlanta. When Perez’s
partner, whom Fonseca knew as Alvanito, was arrested, Perez began purchasing methamphetamine
from Fonseca again. Perez introduced Fonseca to Luis Garcia (“Garcia”) who also worked with
Perez. Fonseca would send his couriers, Fernandes and Izquierdo, to deliver, on average, three
pounds of methamphetamine to Garcia.
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In 2001, Perez’s customer, Shannon Roach (“Roach”), began purchasing and reselling
methamphetamine on a weekly basis. This relationship lasted for over two years. Roach would take
the cash to Perez from the previous transaction, Perez would call Roach shortly thereafter and tell
Roach which of several prearranged locations would be used for delivery. Roach would pick up the
methamphetamine from a courier, sell it, take the money to Perez, and start over. For the first eight
or nine months, Antonio Valdez (“Valdez”) delivered the methamphetamine to Roach. When
Valdez was arrested, Fonseca’s courier Carlos Fernandez delivered the methamphetamine to Roach.
Roach was selling four or five ounces of methamphetamine per week.
Rayfield’s Offense Conduct
Another of Fonseca’s regular methamphetamine customers was Billy Hyde (“Hyde”). Hyde
purchased methamphetamine on a weekly basis from Fonseca for about a year prior to his arrest in
September 2003. Hyde would call Fonseca and order four ounces a week, one of the couriers would
take the methamphetamine to Hyde’s residence, and Hyde would pay the courier in cash. The
courier in turn would give the cash to Fonseca or Carballea.
At first, Hyde was selling methamphetamine to Ruth Rayfield (“Ruth”), who was a personal
friend living in Cleveland, Tennessee. Ruth’s brother in-law was Defendant-Appellant, Donnie
Rayfield (“Rayfield”). Initially, Rayfield would use methamphetamine with Ruth, Hyde, and Hyde’s
wife, Amanda. For five or six months, Hyde would go to Ruth’s residence in Cleveland, Tennessee,
pick up the money, and deliver the methamphetamine. Alternatively, she would travel to Hyde’s
residence in Georgia.
During the six or seven months preceding his arrest in September 2003, Hyde was selling
Rayfield three out of the four ounces he bought from Fonseca every week. Hyde paid Fonseca
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$1,500 for four ounces and would sell three ounces to Rayfield for $2,000. Rayfield would drive
from his residence in Cleveland, Tennessee to Hyde’s residence, give Hyde the money, and often
would be present when the courier delivered the methamphetamine to Hyde.
On one occasion, when Marrero delivered methamphetamine to Hyde, Rayfield answered
the door and asked Marrero to wait while Hyde finished a phone call. To determine that Rayfield
was knowledgeable about the drug exchange and trustworthy, Marrero took the package of
methamphetamine, which was wrapped in a newspaper, and placed it on the table. Rayfield
immediately took a piece of cloth from the couch and placed it on top of the package. Marrero then
knew that Rayfield was aware that Hyde was buying methamphetamine.
On another occasion, Fonseca and Carballea went to Hyde’s residence to inquire about
Rayfield’s vehicle. Rayfield wanted to sell the vehicle for a half pound of methamphetamine.
Rayfield showed Fonseca and Carballea the vehicle and started it for them, but they were not
interested in purchasing it. At trial, Hyde’s wife testified that Rayfield was purchasing
methamphetamine from Hyde on a weekly basis. She indicated that Rayfield would bring cash to
Hyde’s residence every couple of days. Hyde and Rayfield would count the cash, and Fonseca’s
courier would arrive to give Hyde a block of methamphetamine. Rayfield usually bought a couple
of hundred dollars worth of methamphetamine and on occasion he bought an amount worth $2,000
to $3,000.
B. Procedural History
On September 23, 2003, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Tennessee returned
a one-count indictment charging seventeen individuals, including Fonseca, Perez, and Carballea,
with conspiring to violate the drug laws by knowingly distributing more than 500 grams of a
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substance containing methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a substance containing powder
cocaine, and more than 50 kilograms of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846. On
October 28, 2003, the grand jury issued a superceding indictment charging Rayfield in the
conspiracy offense, adding another count charging Fonseca and Carballea with money laundering,
and adding a forfeiture allegation. On May 11, 2004, a second superceding indictment was returned,
which added an additional defendant to the drug conspiracy charge.
All but three of the co-defendants pleaded guilty to count one, the conspiracy charge,
pursuant to plea agreements with the Government. On May 25, 2004, Fonseca pleaded guilty
pursuant to a plea agreement to both counts. On September 23, 2004, Carballea pleaded guilty to
both counts without a plea agreement.
On September 28, 2004, co-defendants Roderick Scruggs (“Scruggs”), Perez, and Rayfield
went to trial. After the United States rested its case in chief, the district court heard arguments on
each Defendant’s motion for judgment of acquittal and denied the motions. After arguments and
the reading of the jury instructions, on October 20, 2004, the jury returned verdicts of guilty as to
Perez and Rayfield and acquitted Scruggs.
On November 4, 2004, the United States filed a motion under seal for a downward departure
for Fonseca and other cooperating Defendants based upon their substantial assistance to the United
States. On November 8, 2004, the district court granted the Government’s motion and sentenced
Fonseca to concurrent terms of 168 months on his drug conspiracy and money laundering
convictions. Fonseca filed a timely notice of appeal with this Court on November 22, 2004.
After trial, Perez was sentenced to 121 months. Perez filed a timely notice of appeal with
this Court on February 3, 2005. Rayfield was sentenced to 70 months. He filed a timely notice of
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appeal with this Court on February 11, 2005. Carballea was sentenced on February 14, 2005 to
concurrent terms of 195 months on the drug conspiracy and money laundering convictions. He filed
a timely notice of appeal with this Court on February 18, 2005.
II. ANALYSIS
A. Sufficiency of Evidence for Perez and Rayfield’s Convictions
Perez and Rayfield contest the sufficiency of the evidence supporting their convictions for
conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. “This Court reviews . . . a [sufficiency of evidence]
challenge de novo, . . . but views the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution.”
United States v. Owens, 426 F.3d 800, 808 (6th Cir. 2005) (citing United States v. Knipp, 963 F.2d
839, 842 (6th Cir.1992); United States v. Tocco, 200 F.3d 401, 424 (6th Cir. 2000)). We review
sufficiency of the evidence claims under a very deferential standard of review. Id. (citing United
States v. Spearman, 186 F.3d 743, 746 (6th Cir.1999)). This Court will uphold a conviction as long
as “a rational trier of fact could have found that the essential elements of the crime were proven
beyond a reasonable doubt.” Spearman, 186 F.3d at 746. “‘Circumstantial evidence alone is
sufficient to sustain a conviction and such evidence need not remove every reasonable hypothesis
except that of guilt.’” Id. (quoting United States v. Vannerson, 786 F.2d 221, 225 (6th Cir. 1986)
(citing United States v. Stone, 748 F.2d 361 (6th Cir. 1984)).
In order to prove a conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846, the United States was required to
prove (1) an agreement to violate the drug laws, (2) knowledge and intent to join the conspiracy, and
(3) participation in the conspiracy. See United States v. Crozier, 259 F.3d 503, 517 (6th Cir. 2001)
(citing United States v. Maliszewski, 161 F.3d 992, 1006 (6th Cir. 1998)). The proof need not show
a formal agreement; “‘a tacit or material understanding among the parties’ will suffice.” United
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States v. Avery, 128 F.3d 966, 970-71 (6th Cir. 1997) (quoting United States v. Pearce, 912 F.2d
159, 161 (6th Cir. 1990)). In addition, the jury may infer the conspiracy’s existence from
circumstantial evidence that may reasonably be interpreted as participation in a common plan. Id.
at 971.
1. Perez’s Conviction
Perez argues that the evidence was not sufficient to support the jury’s finding of a distributor
relationship between himself and Fonseca. He claims that the evidence only demonstrated a buyer-
seller relationship. He argues that this Court held in United States v. Layne, 192 F.3d 556 (6th Cir.
1999), that a buyer-seller relationship must be supplemented with additional evidence such as
“repeat purchases or some other enduring arrangement that implies knowledge of the scope of the
conspiracy.” Perez’s Br. at 9. Perez asserts that even though he purchased $7,000 worth of drugs
from Fonseca on two separate occasions there is no evidence to show that he was involved in the
further distribution of the drugs. Id. at 10.
As detailed in the fact section, the record is replete with evidence that would support a
rational jury’s finding that Perez’s relationship with Fonseca was more than just a buyer-seller
relationship. Perez was the manager of Fonseca’s unprofitable seafood restaurant. Perez then asked
Fonseca if he could sell methamphetamine with him. Further, Roach also testified that she
purchased methamphetamine over a two year period from Perez. Edwards, another defendant, also
testified that he obtained methamphetamine from Perez.
Perez further argues that the jury should not have believed Fonseca’s testimony as a co-
conspirator who had an interest in cooperating with the Government. This Court has repeatedly held
that a juror is free to weigh the testimony of a co-conspirator who pleads guilty and testifies pursuant
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to a cooperation agreement with the United States. United States v. Burns, 298 F.3d 523, 535 (6th
Cir. 2002) (quoting United States v. Hernandez, 227 F.3d 686, 694 (6th Cir. 2000) (stating that
“[s]ufficiency-of-the-evidence appeals are no place . . . for arguments regarding a government
witness’s lack of credibility”)) (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Spearman, 186 F.3d at
746 (stating that “it is well-settled that uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice may support a
conviction in federal court”) (citations omitted). Overall, the facts above demonstrate that there was
sufficient evidence from which a rational trier of fact could determine that Perez was involved in
the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Accordingly, we affirm Perez’s conviction.
2. Rayfield’s Conviction
Rayfield, like Perez, argues that he was simply a customer and not a dealer. He states that
the evidence in this case only demonstrates that he purchased drugs to support his habit. He cites
Hyde’s testimony where Hyde admitted that he and Rayfield on numerous occasions smoked
marijuana together as proof that he was only a customer. Appellant Rayfield’s Br. at 14. Based on
this evidence, Rayfield argues that “there is not a scintilla of evidence in the record that [he] ever
distributed methamphetamine to anyone, or conspired with anyone else to distribute
methamphetamine.” Id. at 15.
The evidence on the record shows that Rayfield made weekly visits from Cleveland,
Tennessee to Hyde’s residence to purchase a half pound of methamphetamine. Police surveillance
revealed that Rayfield’s visits coincided with the arrival of Fonseca’s courier delivery. In addition,
there was evidence that Rayfield attempted to sell his car in exchange for a large quantity of
methamphetamine. There was evidence that, on one occasion, when Fonseca’s courier delivered
methamphetamine to Hyde’s home, Rayfield attempted to conceal the contents of the package,
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demonstrating his knowledge of what was inside the package. This evidence supports the finding
that there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find Rayfield guilty of conspiring to distribute
methamphetamine. Layne, 192 F.3d at 568 (“additional evidence beyond the mere purchase or sale
of drugs, such as evidence of repeat purchases or some enduring arrangement that implies
knowledge of the scope of the conspiracy may support a conspiracy conviction.”) (citations omitted).
Rayfield also argues that the Government’s evidence was based on the testimony of a partial
witness, Amanda Hyde, regarding the nature of the drug transactions. He asserts that Amanda Hyde
testified to help her husband and ensure herself immunity. This Court has repeatedly held that it will
not substitute its own judgment for that of the jury when weighing the credibility of a witness. See,
e.g., United States v. Hilliard, 11 F.3d 618, 620 (6th Cir. 1993) (recognizing that this Court does not
weigh evidence, make credibility determinations or substitute its judgment for that of the jury);
United States v. Evans, 883 F.2d 496, 501 (6th Cir. 1989) (“Issues of witness credibility . . . are
strictly for the jury to determine.”) (citation omitted). Accordingly, Rayfield’s argument regarding
Amanda Hyde’s credibility does not provide sufficient evidence to overturn the jury’s verdict. Thus,
there was sufficient evidence to sustain Rayfield’s conviction.
B. Nexus to Interstate Commerce
Perez argues that the district court lacked jurisdiction because of his insufficient contacts in
the Eastern District of Tennessee. Appellant Perez’s Br. at 14. This Court has unequivocally held
that “drug trafficking is an ‘economic enterprise’ that substantially affects interstate commerce in
numerous clear ways” and is an “activity that the federal government clearly may regulate.” United
States v. Tucker, 90 F.3d 1135, 1140-41 (6th Cir. 1996); see also United States v. McDougherty, 920
F.2d 569 (9th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 911 (1991) (stating that Congress has already
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determined, and the courts have accepted as rational, that drug trafficking affects interstate
commerce). The district court properly maintained jurisdiction over this case.
C. Improper Venue
Rayfield argues that venue is improper in the Eastern District of Tennessee where the
Government could not prove that a substantial act or acts in furtherance of the conspiracy took place
in the Eastern District of Tennessee. This Court reviews de novo the district court’s interpretation
of the venue statutes, and reviews for abuse of discretion the court’s decision whether to dismiss for
lack of venue. United States v. Brika, 416 F.3d 514, 527 (6th Cir. 2005) (citing Kerobo v. SW Clean
Fuels, Corp., 285 F.3d 531, 533 (6th Cir. 2002)). “Venue is proper in the district where the crime
was committed. See U.S. Const. Art. III, § 2, Cl. 3 (‘Trial shall be held in the State where the said
Crimes shall have been committed’); Fed. R. Crim. P. 18 (‘[T]he prosecution shall be had in a
district in which the offense was committed.’).” Id.
Since venue is often appropriate in more than one district, this Circuit applies the substantial
contacts test to determine the appropriate venue. United States v. Williams, 788 F.2d 1213, 1215
(6th Cir.1986). This test “takes into account a number of factors [including] the site of the
defendant’s acts, the elements and nature of the crime, the locus of the effect of the criminal conduct,
and the suitability of each district for accurate fact finding.” Id. at 1215 (quoting United States v.
Reed, 773 F.2d 477, 481 (2d Cir. 1985)). In addition, 18 U.S.C. § 3237(a) instructs that “any offense
against the United States begun in one district and completed in another . . . may be inquired of and
prosecuted in any district in which such offense was begun, continued, or completed.”
Rayfield contends that venue is improper in Tennessee because all of the overt acts took
place in Northern Georgia. Rayfield’s argument is without merit. The district court properly found
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that Rayfield is a Tennessee resident and one of several co-conspirators who transported
methamphetamine to Tennessee after purchasing it from Fonseca in Georgia. Fonseca testified that
he had drug customers in the Eastern District of Tennessee as well as numerous customers in Dalton,
Georgia.
The record is replete with evidence that the overt acts in furtherance of the conspiracy took
place in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Edwards bought methamphetamine from Fonseca every
week for two years and one of Edwards’ customers lived in Bradley, Tennessee. The customer,
McDonald, like Rayfield, made weekly trips to Georgia to pick up his methamphetamine from
Fonseca’s couriers. Stewart also traveled from Cleveland, Tennessee to pick up methamphetamine
from Fonseca. On at least one occasion, Roach and her father drove from Georgia through
Tennessee to Kentucky to deliver methamphetamine to a relative. Numerous facts indicate that the
district court did not abuse its discretion in concluding that venue in the Eastern District of
Tennessee was proper.
D. Rayfield’s Challenge to the Jury Instructions
1. Lesser Included Offense
Rayfield argues that the district court erred when it refused to instruct the jury on the lesser-
included offense of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and/or the lesser-included offense of
simple possession of methamphetamine. This Court reviews the district court’s propriety of the jury
instructions for abuse of discretion. United States v. Ursery, 109 F.3d 1129, 1135 (6th Cir. 1997).
Accordingly, this Court will not overturn jury instructions unless the district court’s error was so
objectionable that it should have been apparent to the trial judge. Fed. R. Crim. P. 18.
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A lesser-included offense instruction is appropriate where: (1) the request is properly made;
(2) the elements of the lesser offense are identical to parts of the elements of the greater offense; (3)
there is evidence that would support conviction on the lesser offense; and (4) the proof on the
element or elements differentiating the two crimes is sufficiently disputed such that the jury could
consistently acquit on the greater offense and convict on the lesser. United States v. Colon, 268 F.3d
367, 373 (6th Cir. 2001) (citing United States v. Monger, 185 F.3d 574, 576 (6th Cir. 1999)).
Rayfield properly asked the district court to instruct the jury that the object of the conspiracy
was “misdemeanor simple possession,” in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 844(a) as opposed to “felony
distribution” in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Rayfield, however, cannot establish the other
requirements that would entitle him to the lesser included offense. The elements of distribution of
methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana are not identical to possession of methamphetamine.
See Colon, 268 F.3d at 377 (holding that “the elements of simple possession are not identical to the
elements of distribution of cocaine or of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute or to
distribute cocaine”).
The Government correctly asserted that the jury would have to acquit Rayfield if it found
him guilty of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine or simple possession because the elements
required for distribution are different from possession. It would have been plain error for the district
court to alter the grand jury’s charge and instruct the jury with the conspiracy to possess or simple
possession offense. The district court did not abuse its discretion.
2. Jury Instruction on Quantity of Drugs Over a Period of Time
Rayfield alleges that the district court committed plain error in instructing the jury that it
could consider evidence showing that a person trafficked a large amount of drugs and engaged in
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a series of drug transactions over a period of time as proof of a conspiracy. At trial, Rayfield did
not object to the Court’s instruction on the quantity of drugs being proof of conspiracy to distribute.
Accordingly, the standard of review is plain error. United States v. King, 169 F.3d 1035, 1040 (6th
Cir. 1999) (citing United States v. Wilkinson, 26 F.3d 623, 625 (6th Cir.1994)). “‘An instruction is
not plainly erroneous unless there was an egregious error, one that directly leads to a miscarriage
of justice.’” Id. (quoting Wilkinson, 26 F.3d at 625) (internal quotation marks omitted).
The district court instructed the jury that evidence showing that a person trafficked a large
amount of drugs and engaged in a series of drug transactions may establish more than a buyer-seller
relationship and may be considered proof of a conspiracy to distribute. This Court has repeatedly
held that persons trafficking large amounts of drugs and engaged in a series of drug transactions over
a long period of time may establish more than a buyer-seller relationship. See United States v.
Martinez, 430 F.3d 317, 330-31 (6th Cir. 2005) (inference of agreement to participate in drug
conspiracy may be based upon evidence of repeat purchases and large quantity of drugs); United
States v. Anderson, 89 F.3d 1306, 1310 (6th Cir. 1996).
In this case, Rayfield bought three out of the four ounces that Fonseca sold to Hyde every
week. Hyde paid Fonseca $1,500 for four ounces and would sell three ounces to Rayfield for
$2,000. Further, Rayfield would drive from his residence in Cleveland, Tennessee to Hyde’s
residence to give Hyde the money. Often, Rayfield was present when the courier delivered the
methamphetamine to Hyde which permitted Rayfield to receive his three ounces immediately.
Given the evidence in the case, the district court did not commit a plain error when it instructed the
jury on the amount of Rayfield’s drug quantity as evidence to establish the conspiracy.
E. Sentencing
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1. Rayfield’s Request for “Safety Valve” Provision
Rayfield argues that the district court erred when it refused to consider sentencing him
pursuant to the safety valve provision. This Court reviews the district court’s refusal to apply a
safety value reduction for clear error. United States v. Salgado, 250 F.3d 438, 459 (6th Cir. 2001);
United States v. Adu, 82 F.3d 119, 124 (6th Cir. 1996). The safety valve provisions, 18 U.S.C. §
3553(f) and United States Sentencing Guideline (“U.S.S.G.” or “Guidelines”) § 5C1.2(5), provide
in pertinent part, that the defendant may be sentenced without regard to the applicable mandatory
minimum sentence and may receive a two-level reduction in his offense level pursuant to U.S.S.G.
§ 2D1.1(b)(6) if, not later than the time of the sentencing hearing, “the defendant has truthfully
provided to the government all information and evidence the defendant has concerning the offense
or offenses that were part of the same course of conduct or of a common scheme or plan.” §
3553(f)(5); § 5C1.2(5).
In this case, Rayfield did not truthfully provide the Government with information or
evidence. Rayfield consistently disputed his involvement in the conspiracy. He continually alleged
that he was not a dealer and only possessed methamphetamine. Under these circumstances, the
district court properly denied his request for a reduction under the safety valve provision. See Adu,
82 F.3d at 125 (stating that “[w]here the government challenges a defendant’s claim of complete and
timely disclosure and the defendant does not produce evidence that demonstrates such disclosure,
a district court’s denial of a motion under § 3553(f) and § 5C1.2(5) is not clearly erroneous.”). The
district court did not err in refusing to apply the safety valve reduction to Rayfield’s sentence.
2. Reasonableness of Perez’s and Rayfield’s Sentences
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Rayfield and Perez challenge the reasonableness of the district court’s sentencing
determinations. “When reviewing sentencing decisions, [this Court] review[s] the district court’s
factual findings for clear error, while reviewing the district court’s conclusions of law de novo.”
United States v. Hazelwood, 398 F.3d 792, 795 (6th Cir. 2005). Where the district court applied
advisory Guidelines, this Court reviews the selection of a sentence for reasonableness. United States
v. Jackson, 408 F.3d 301, 305 (6th Cir. 2005); see also United States v. Davis, 397 F.3d 340, 346
(6th Cir. 2005) (stating that “[i]n a case such as this one, where Defendant contests the manner in
which the district court applied the consulted Guideline, we are instructed to review the sentence
for reasonableness.”). Even if a sentencing error occurred, the Court will not remand if it decides
the error was harmless. When the district court properly calculates the sentence under the
Guidelines, a rebuttable presumption attaches that the sentence length is reasonable. United States
v. Williams, 436 F.3d 706, 708 (6th Cir. 2006).
a. Rayfield’s Sentence
Rayfield argues that his sentence was excessive and that the district court failed to consider
the mandate of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(6) by avoiding a sentencing disparity between him and his co-
Defendants. Specifically, Rayfield argues that other co-defendants received minimal sentences of
thirty-three months (Marrero, Fernandez, and Izquierdo) and fourteen months (Alvaro Santoyo,
another co-Defendant in this case). Rayfield’s argument lacks merit.
Rayfield’s advisory Guideline range was 151 to 188 months. He was subject to a statutory
minimum sentence of sixty months and a maximum of forty years. The other Defendants he
compares himself to, Marrero, Fernandez, and Izquierdo, were sentenced after the Government filed
§ 5K1.1 downward departures based on their substantial assistance. As indicated above, Rayfield
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has consistently disputed his involvement in the conspiracy and did not assist the Government.
Based on the facts, he was not entitled to a similar departure.
When the district court sentenced Rayfield, it adequately considered the § 3553(a) factors.
In support of its sentence, the district court cited Rayfield’s lack of criminal history, the need to
deter him from further crimes, the effect of dealing methamphetamine, and the need to be severe.
The district court also required that Rayfield receive five hundred hours of drug treatment therapy.
Since the district court’s sentence was reasonable, we affirm Rayfield’s sentence.
b. Perez’s Sentence
Perez’s sentence was also reasonable. Perez contends that 121 months was unreasonable
because his sentence was greater than necessary and there was excessive disparity between his
sentence and the other co-Defendants. Perez further argues that a sentence of 75 months would have
sufficiently addressed his conduct. Perez’s mandatory minimum sentence under 21 U.S.C. §
841(b)(1)(A) was 120 months. His advisory Guideline range was 121 to 151 months. The district
court stated that it considered the advisory Guideline range as “one factor among others to determine
Mr. Perez’s sentence.” The district court discussed the drug quantity found by the jury and the
seriousness of his offense. The district court noted that it imposed the sentence to promote respect
for the law and felt that Perez should receive treatment for substance abuse. Perez failed to present
any evidence that the district court’s sentence was unreasonable. We therefore affirm Perez’s
sentence.
3. Carballea’s Sentence
Carballea argues that the district court erred in considering the hearsay testimony of a law
enforcement agent when determining the drug amount used to determine his advisory Guidelines
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range. This argument was not clearly articulated in Carballea’s brief. The Government construed
his argument as asserting that the district court improperly engaged in judicial fact-finding in
accepting the agent’s hearsay testimony in violation of the Sixth Amendment. Appellee’s Br. at 51.
At the sentencing hearing, the law enforcement officer testified to the drug quantity based
on Carballea’s guilty pleas. The officer also testified that Carballea and Fonseca were equal partners
in the drug conspiracy and described evidence of their drug trafficking. After the law enforcement
agent testified, the district court found by a preponderance of the evidence that the drug quantity was
approximately twenty pounds.
There was no Sixth Amendment violation. This Court has conclusively held that Booker
does not forbid all judicial fact-finding. “[P]ost-Booker, judges may enhance sentences based upon
facts not found by the jury, provided they do not consider themselves required to do so.” Davis, 397
F.3d at 352 (Cook, J., concurring). In addition, the district court did not err in using the officer’s
testimony to support Carballea’s advisory range. The officer’s testimony was based, in part, on the
plea agreement. The district court’s finding that the drug amount was twenty pounds was not clearly
erroneous. Further, Carballea’s sentence was reasonable as the judge also properly considered §
3553(a) factors in sentencing Carballea, stating that he should not receive a sentence higher than that
given to the co-leaders of the conspiracy.
Carballea’s argument that the agent’s testimony is inadmissable hearsay also fails. This
Court has held that hearsay is admissible in sentencing hearings as long as it bears some indicia of
reliability. United States v. Silverman, 976 F.2d 1502, 1513-14 (6th Cir. 1992) (en banc) cert.
denied, 507 U.S. 990 (1993). See also United States v. Stone, 432 F.3d 651 (6th Cir. 2005). Here,
the officer’s testimony was supported by Carballea’s own plea as to the drug quantity. The district
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court properly considered the agent’s testimony regarding the drug quantity. Therefore, we affirm
Carballea’s sentence.
F. Jurisdiction over Fonseca’s Failure to File a Rule 35(b) Motion and Downward
Departure
Fonseca argues that his sentence is unreasonable because the district court failed to “take into
account the true remorse and substantial cooperation [he] displayed . . . .” Appellant Fonseca’s Br.
at 10. He also asserts that the United States failed to file a Rule 35(b) motion based on his
cooperation. We reject both arguments.
The Government filed a motion for downward departure pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 based
upon Fonseca’s substantial assistance. After the downward departure, the district court sentenced
him to 168 months. The district court has unfettered discretion to determine the extent of a
downward departure based upon substantial assistance. United States v. Jones, 417 F.3d 547, 550
(6th Cir. 2005) (stating that the extent of a district court’s departure after it grants a § 5K1.1 motion
is an issue “entirely committed to the district judge’s discretion;” this Court has no jurisdiction to
review). Since Jones is the controlling authority on this issue, this Court does not have jurisdiction
to review a district court’s discretionary denial of a further downward departure for substantial
assistance.
Fonseca’s Rule 35(b) challenge also fails. Rule 35(b)(1) provides that within one year of
sentencing, “[u]pon the government’s motion . . . the court may reduce a sentence if: (A) the
defendant, after sentencing, provided substantial assistance in investigating or prosecuting another
person[.]” Fed. R. Crim. P. § 35(b)(1)(A). The Government, however, did not file a Rule 35(b)
motion, thus no such relief is available to Fonseca. United States v. Monus, 356 F.3d 714, 718 n.4
(6th Cir. 2004) (stating that defendant’s request for sentencing relief based upon Rule 35(b) is
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“wholly without merit” since under the plain language of the Rule only the United States can file
such a motion, absent a “substantial threshold showing” of unconstitutional motive for the
government’s refusal to make the motion). We affirm Fonseca’s sentence.
III. CONCLUSION
Based on the above analysis, this Court AFFIRMS the district court’s decision to uphold
the jury verdict against Perez and Rayfield and its sentencing determination as to all the Defendants.
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ALICE M. BATCHELDER. I concur in the result that this opinion reaches as to each
defendant. With regard to defendant Rayfield, I do not believe that the evidence cited in the opinion
is sufficient to support the conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, but I would
affirm the conspiracy conviction because, in addition to that evidence, there is evidence in the record
that Billy Hyde fronted methamphetamine to Rayfield, who paid Hyde for the drugs later, and that
Rayfield purchased methamphetamine in amounts that are not commensurate with personal use.
With regard to defendant Perez, I would note that Perez did not raise before the district court the
commerce clause argument he makes on appeal.
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