United States v. Barry Rinn and Alex Selva

The defendants Rinn and Selva appeal their respective judgments of conviction and sentences to custody, fine and special parole for violations of the provisions of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (conspiracy), 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1) (possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance), and 18 U.S.C. § 2 (aiding and abetting).

Rinn and Selva were jointly indicted under a seven count indictment. A jury found Rinn guilty on four counts and Selva guilty on three counts.

We note jurisdiction and affirm.

FACTS:

The pertinent facts gleaned from the testimony of the informant Larry Neuberger are:

Neuberger met Rinn in New York during 1968. During that year, Neuberger moved to California and began trafficking in narcotics for Rinn. In 1969, he was convicted and sentenced to California penal custody for dangerous drug trafficking. After release in 1972, he borrowed $3,000 from Rinn and moved to Indiana. In 1976, he returned to Los Angeles where he rejoined Rinn and agreed to again enter drug trafficking for Rinn in order to clear the $3,000 indebtedness. Thereafter, on a number of occasions, he received narcotics for sale from Rinn and Selva. During one such transaction late in July, 1976, he…