U.S. v. Hernandez,
No. 17-5448, 2018 WL 443764 (2018)(to be published).
Facts. Hernandez
was involved in large scale marijuana distribution. On at least 3 occasions,
Hernandez arranged a location as delivery point for a 1,000 pound shipment of
marijuana. Hernandez was paid $5,000 for his efforts. When the supplier fell
behind on payments to Hernandez, the supplier offered Hernandez 2 kilograms of
a 28 kilogram cocaine shipment. Hernandez accepted the deal, but the shipment
never came through. After a conversation with supplier, Hernandez used the
internet to check on the shipment. Hernandez learned from a subordinate that
the DEA had seized the cocaine. Several months later, the DEA spoke to
Hernandez about his drug involvement. Hernandez confessed and entered a guilty
plea to conspiring to distribute 2 kilograms of cocaine. However, the judge at
sentencing punished Hernandez for all 28 kilograms of cocaine because Hernandez
expanded his role in the conspiracy.
Use of the internet
can further a conspiracy. Hernandez argued for a lesser sentence because he
claimed to have an interest in only 2 of the 28 kilograms. The 6th
Circuit disagreed. The Court acknowledged it is not illegal to use the
internet. However, it is illegal
to assist in the commission of a crime, to assist another in avoiding
punishment, to try and conceal a felony, or to do any act in furtherance of a
conspiracy, regardless of whether the person uses the internet. Using the
internet in an attempt to discover what happened to a shipment of illegal drugs
furthered the conspiracy. Therefore, the district judge did not err in holding
Hernandez responsible for all 28 kilograms of cocaine.
U.S. v. Harris,
881 F.3d 945 (6th Cir. 2018).
Facts. Harris was
a stock broker. He participated in a scheme to recommend purchase of stock in a
particular company in exchange for undisclosed commissions. A jury found Harris
guilty of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of
justice.
The difference
between KRE 608 and KRE 613. While KRE 608 and KRE 613 differ somewhat from
the FRE, this case is useful for explaining the difference between the two. Harris
was convicted of obstruction of justice because a co-conspirator testified that
Harris told the co-conspirator to tell the FBI “remember, we sold watches” as
the explanation for where the money came from. Before the case went to trial, a
defense investigator questioned the co-conspirator. The investigator asked the
co-conspirator if Harris said “just tell the truth and leave it at that.” The
co-conspirator responded that “it was more of the nature.” At trial, the judge
refused to allow the Harris to impeach the coconspirator with his prior
statement based on FRE 608, which involves challenging a witness’ character for
truthfulness. The 6th Circuit determined the trial judge erred by
not applying FRE 613, which allows a witness to be impeached with a prior
statement. The Court ruled the defense should have been allowed to impeach the
witness. The error was not harmless because the co-conspirator’s testimony
regarding obstruction was uncorroborated by other witnesses or evidence such as
text messages. This case demonstrates the importance of consulting both rules
when challenging a witness’ testimony.
Hearing required due
to a juror’s use of social media during trial. Harris’ case was remanded
for a hearing to determine whether a juror was prejudiced by an extraneous
influence. During Harris’ trial, he received an email from LinkedIn that
someone named Goleno had viewed his LinkedIn profile. The defense discovered
evidence from Facebook that Goleno had a romantic relationship with a juror and
that they lived together. The defense requested a hearing to determine whether
the juror had been improperly exposed to prejudicial extraneous information.
The defense argued that a Google search of Harris’ name revealed details of the
investigation that had been excluded from his trial. The trial judge denied the
motion. The 6th Circuit reversed. In order to safeguard a criminal
defendant’s right to a panel of impartial jurors under the Sixth Amendment,
when a defendant presents a colorable claim of extraneous influence, the court
has a duty to investigate and to determine whether there may have been a
violation of the constitutional guarantee.
Contributed by Sam Potter
