U.S. v. Cuervo, 02-2898.
| Decision Date | 22 January 2004 |
| Docket Number | No. 02-3223.,No. 02-3362.,No. 02-2898.,No. 02-3196.,02-2898.,02-3196.,02-3223.,02-3362. |
| Parties | UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Pelayo Jose CUERVO, also known as Jose Cuervo, also known as Pelayo Joe Cuervo, also known as Anthony Badessa, also known as Tattoo Joe, also known as Tattoo Badessa, Appellant. United States of America, Appellee, v. Robert Lee Norman, also known as Skunk, Appellant. United States of America, Appellee, v. Russell J. Schoenauer, Appellant. United States of America, Appellant, v. Russell J. Schoenauer, Appellee. |
| Court | U.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit |
Joseph G. Bartogli, argued, Des Moines, IA, for appellant Cuervo.
Chip J. Lowe, argued, Urbandale, IA, for appellant Norman.
Dean Stowers, argued, Des Moines, IA, for appellant Schoenauer.
Lester A. Paff, argued, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Des Moines, IA (Shannon L. Olson, Andrew H. Kahl, Greg Peyton Gaumer and Clifford D. Wendel, Asst. U.S. Attorneys, Des Moines, IA, on the brief), for appellee.
Before RILEY, HEANEY, and SMITH, Circuit Judges.
Appellants Robert Lee Norman, Russell J. Schoenauer, and Pelayo Jose Cuervo were convicted of numerous narcotics and firearms offenses, many of which related to what the government alleged to be a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances that lasted from 1978 through 2001. Norman, Schoenauer, and Cuervo appeal their conspiracy-related convictions, and Norman and Schoenauer appeal their resulting sentences. Schoenauer further appeals the forfeiture of his property, and the firearms convictions that were unrelated to the conspiracy. The government cross-appeals the district court's1 two-level downward sentencing departure for Schoenauer. We affirm.
On March 28, 2001, a grand jury returned a multiple count indictment charging the defendants and others with various narcotics and firearms offenses. The government filed several superseding indictments, culminating in a fourth superseding indictment filed on December 19, 2001. Through this voluminous final charging document, the grand jury indicted Norman and Schoenauer for maintaining a continuing criminal enterprise,2 and indicted all three defendants for conspiring to distribute one thousand kilograms or more of marijuana, five hundred grams or more of methamphetamine, and five kilograms or more of cocaine.3 The defendants were also charged with using firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy,4 as well as numerous substantive counts of distributing controlled substances.5 Lastly, the indictment sought forfeiture of several properties connected to the drug offenses, and charged Schoenauer with three additional unrelated firearms offenses.6
Following a lengthy jury trial, the defendants were convicted of many of the charged counts.7 Norman was convicted of maintaining a continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy to distribute five hundred or more grams of methamphetamine, between five hundred grams and five kilograms of cocaine, and between one hundred grams and one thousand kilograms of marijuana. He was also convicted of nine substantive counts of distributing methamphetamine, and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy. Cuervo was convicted of conspiracy to distribute five hundred or more grams of methamphetamine, four substantive counts of distributing methamphetamine, and one count of using a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy. Schoenauer was convicted of conspiracy to distribute between fifty and five hundred grams of methamphetamine and between one hundred grams and one thousand kilograms of marijuana, as well as two substantive counts of distributing methamphetamine. The jury subsequently found several of Schoenauer's properties subject to forfeiture. Schoenauer was then tried separately and found guilty of three counts of unlawful possession of a firearm.
Norman was sentenced to a term of 292 months imprisonment on the continuing criminal enterprise count and seven of the distribution counts, to run concurrently with a term of 240 months on another distribution count. He was also given a 60-month consecutive sentence for his firearm violation, for a total prison term of 352 months. Cuervo was sentenced to 210 months imprisonment for his role in the conspiracy and his distribution convictions, as well as a consecutive 60-month term for his firearm violation. Schoenauer was given a 210 month sentence for his conspiracy and distribution convictions, to run concurrently with a 120-month sentence for his firearms violations.
On appeal, the defendants make myriad arguments relating to their convictions and sentences. Norman contends that his convictions cannot stand because: 1) the indictment was unconstitutionally vague as to the continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy charges; 2) there was a variance in the proof and insufficient evidence to support convictions for the continuing criminal enterprise and conspiracy charges; 3) the district court erred in its response to a jury question; 4) the jury instruction for the continuing criminal enterprise charge was improper; 5) the charges for using firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy improperly charged multiple offenses, charged continuing offenses, and violated the Ex Post Facto Clause; 6) his conviction for using a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy was for conduct beyond the statute of limitations; and 7) his conviction for using a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy was not supported by sufficient evidence. As to his sentence, Norman argues that the district court used the wrong version of the United States Sentencing Guidelines, erred by enhancing his sentence under the theory that he supervised five or more people, and erred in its drug quantity determination.
Schoenauer argues that: 1) the indictment was unconstitutionally vague as to his conspiracy and drug distribution charges; 2) there was insufficient evidence to support convictions on these charges; 3) there was a variance between the evidence and allegations on his conspiracy and drug distribution charges; 4) the district court erred by admitting the government's expert testimony on Schoenauer's finances; 5) the forfeiture verdicts were infected by myriad errors; 6) the convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm cannot stand because the charging statute was unconstitutionally vague as applied to Schoenauer; 7) the district court committed reversible evidentiary errors during Schoenauer's trial for unlawful possession of a firearm; and 8) his convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm were not supported by sufficient evidence. Lastly, Schoenauer contends that the district court erred at sentencing in its drug quantity determination.
Cuervo joins Norman and Schoenauer in arguing the deficiency of the indictment and evidence as to the conspiracy count. He further argues that his conviction for using a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy cannot stand because his conduct was beyond the statute of limitations, there was a fatal variance between the evidence and the indictment, and his conviction violated the Ex Post Facto Clause. He further argues that he was prejudiced by being charged with multiple firearms violations. Lastly, he claims that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his four convictions for distributing methamphetamine.
The government cross-appeals Schoenauer's sentence. It argues that the district court erred by granting Schoenauer a two-level downward departure, contending that the departure was based on improper or irrelevant factors under the Guidelines.
This case reaches us following a jury verdict of guilty, and accordingly we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, accepting all reasonable inferences supported by the evidence. United States v. Kamerud, 326 F.3d 1008, 1012 (8th Cir.2003). Robert Lee Norman and Pelayo Jose Cuervo were both longstanding members of the same motorcycle club, the Sons of Silence. Norman was a charter member of the Boone, Iowa chapter of the club, joining in the late 1970s. Norman also owned an automobile repair and restoration business, Ballistic Auto. Cuervo worked for Norman at Ballistic Auto. Russell J. Schoenauer was an accountant by trade, but was also involved in numerous other business ventures. Schoenauer performed tax preparation and other accounting services for Norman and Ballistic Auto. As evidenced below, Norman, Cuervo, and Schoenauer were all deeply involved in the use and distribution of controlled substances.
Norman married Marylin Corbin in 1978, and the couple remained married until 1982. According to Corbin, Norman grew marijuana at their home throughout the duration of their marriage, and also acquired marijuana from Steve Henry. At least twice a month during their marriage, Norman would supply large quantities of the drug to others, who would pay Norman for it at a later date-a practice known as "fronting" the drug. Norman also manufactured a substance he referred to as "crank" at their home during this time, and regularly carried a small pistol.
Rodney Backous testified that he had known Norman since at least 1982, and that Norman had been involved in the distribution of controlled substances since Backous met him. Backous would receive small quantities of marijuana and cocaine from Norman, and when the drugs were available, Backous would supply Norman with up to a pound of marijuana, and quantities as large as an ounce of cocaine throughout the 1980s. For several years, Norman supplied Backous with one ounce quantities of methamphetamine for resale, sometimes fronting the drugs to Backous. Backous had seen Norman in possession of what he...
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