United States v. Steven Thomas

MEMORANDUM

Steven Asir Thomas appeals his convictions and sentences for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A) & 846; money laundering, 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (a)(3) & 1956(b)(1); and conspiracy to possess firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924 (o). We have jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

1. The entrapment defense has two elements: first, the defendant was induced to commit the crime by a government agent, and second, he was not otherwise predisposed to commit the crime. See United States v. Jones, 231 F.3d 508, 516 (9th Cir. 2000). Here, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable jury could have concluded the government proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Thomas was not induced and that he was predisposed to commit the crimes of which he was convicted. See id,

With respect to the first element, Thomas contends he was induced to commit his crimes because the government promised him investments in his nightclub at a time when he was desperate for funds and because the government gave him large sums of a money at low risk. Large…