United States v. Dewayne Lee Ratcliffe, United States of America v. Everette Frederick Ratcliffe

Everette Frederick Ratcliffe (“Eyerette”) and Dewayne Lee Ratcliffe (“Dewayne”) were convicted after a jury trial of conspiracy to import marijuana, importation of marijuana, and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. 21 U.S.C. §§ 963 , 952(a), and. 841(a)(1). Each defendant was sentenced to a five year prison term on each count, the sentences to run concurrently.

Construed in the light most favorable to the Government, Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80 , 62 S.Ct. 456 , 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942); United States v. Lincoln, 494 F.2d 833 (9th Cir. 1974), the evidence adduced at trial established that the two Ratcliffes and certain other persons were involved in smuggling marijuana from Mexico in March of 1975. The record reveals that Norton Wisdom employed William Meyers, a grading and paving contractor, to construct an airstrip on land leased by Wisdom, agreeing to pay him for the work he performed and an additional $2,500 per week for the two or three months following completion. Meyers related this information to the police and thereafter was in almost daily contact with them. Meyers constructed the airstrip as Wisdom directed, making certain changes suggested by…