United States v. Jack Wilbur Tavelman, United States of America v. Steven Job

Jack Wilbur Tavelman and Steven Job appeal their convictions and sentences for violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (a)(1), 846 (1976) (conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute) and of 18 U.S.C. § 1952 (aX3) (1976) (Travel Act) (interstate travel with acts in furtherance of intent to distribute cocaine). See 28 U.S.C. § 1291 (1976). We affirm except the imposition of special parole terms under 21 U.S.C. § 846 (1976), which we vacate.

I. FACTS

Baron, an inmate at the Douglas County Jail, contacted DEA agent Cameron who accepted Baron’s offer to assist the agency in apprehending persons involved in the distribution of narcotics in Los Angeles. When Baron went to Los Angeles in July, 1979, he took a photograph showing him holding several large bags filled with white powder giving the appearance of cocaine (but actually procaine). Through one Meekins, middle man, Baron met Silverman, another middle man. Over a period of four days, Silverman made a number of calls to defendant Job, attempting to entice him to fly to Reno to purchase some very good cocaine from a large dealer. During a subsequent meeting at Job’s house, Baron and Job discussed the quality and price of the…