Freeman

Kevin Freeman appeals from his conviction and sentence on one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute at least fifty grams of cocaine base and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five hundred grams of cocaine. Freeman argues that the district court erred in allowing the government’s expert witness to testify regarding the meaning of encoded drug language and to testify as a lay witness. Although portions of the expert witness’s testimony should have been excluded, we hold that the district court’s error was harmless. Freeman’s additional claims are without merit. We affirm.

I. Background

Kevin Freeman was the only defendant named in a three-count indictment. Count One charged him with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute at least fifty grams of cocaine base as well as conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five hundred grams of cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 . The other counts accused Freeman of manufacturing and distributing cocaine base.

The indictment alleged that as a part of the drug conspiracy, Freeman purchased cocaine from Corey Mitchell and Maurice Brown. Mitchell and Brown were part of an earlier…