United States v. Ernest Lopez, United States of America v. John Vlahovich, United States of America v. Paula Nadir

These cases involve a series of robberies and extortions to benefit West Coast Metallics Industries (West Coast Metallics), a Los Angeles company that refines precious metals. The crimes were committed by Lopez and Vlahovich at the direction of Nadir, owner and president of West Coast Metallics. The jury found appellants guilty of conspiracy, 18 U.S.C. § 371 (1982), obstruction of interstate commerce by rob bery, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 . (1982), collection of extensions of credit by extortionate means, 18 U.S.C. § 894 (1982), and racketeering, 18 U.S.C. § 1962 (1982). The court set aside Lopez’s conviction of assaulting a postal carrier, 18 U.S.C. § 2114 (1982), and granted him a judgment of acquittal on that count. Nadir was also found guilty of receipt of stolen mail, 18 U.S.C. § 1708 (1982), and interstate transportation of stolen property, 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (1982). Appellants challenge their convictions on a variety of grounds. We affirm.

I. Admissibility of Evidence Seized from Vlahovich

In March 1982, Vlahovich was arrested in a van after stealing a cement truck and assaulting a security guard. Pursuant to a search warrant, police seized a mask, a wig, and a pair of rubber gloves…