United States v. James ("Jake") Rohrer, United States of America v. John Bump

James Rohrer and John Bump, co-defendants below and appellants in this court, were convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a), and conspiracy to distribute cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 . The district court denied their motions for a new trial and they filed timely appeals. We affirm.

I.

FACTS

The government’s case rested primarily on the testimony of Stephen Green, a figure in a Bay Area drug network, who testified against the defendants after the government agreed to seek a reduction in his sentence, imposed as a result of his earlier conviction on drug charges. He described seven sales of cocaine involving Rohrer and five involving Bump. The government introduced hotel and car rental receipts, airline tickets, and customs records to support Green’s testimony, but the only corroboration for the appellants’ involvement were records of long-distance calls made to Rohrer and Bump during the alleged conspiracy.

Appellants attacked Green’s credibility. Three defense witnesses testified to Green’s heavy use of drugs and its debilitating effects. On cross-examination Green admitted his past drug usage and to having…