United States v. Raul Becerra-Curiel

MEMORANDUM

The district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting evidence of defendant’s prior arrest for alien smuggling. See Fed.R.Evid. 404(b); United States v. Ramirez-Jiminez, 967 F.2d 1321, 1325-27 (9th Cir.1992).

Nor did the district court err by denying defendant’s Rule 29 motions on Count 1 of the indictment. (Defendant does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction on Count 2.) The testimony of the material witness and the 404(b) evidence are sufficient to support the conclusion that defendant knew or recklessly disregarded the fact the material witness “ha[d] not received prior official authorization to come to, enter, or reside in the United States.” 8 U.S.C. § 1324 (a)(2). That evidence is also sufficient to support a finding that defendant knew the material witness had been hidden in the car as part of an alien smuggling operation “for the purpose of commercial advantage or private financial gain.” Id. § 1324(a)(2)(B)(ii). And that evidence, combined with the testimony of the Customs and Border Protection officers, would also allow a rational juror to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that defendant took at least one…