United States v. Hector Medrano, United States of America v. Hector Medrano

Hector Medrano was charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. .§§ 846 and 841(a)(1); one count of distribution of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1); and four counts of possession and distribution of ephedrine, a listed precursor chemical, “having reasonable cause to believe that [it] would be used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 (d)(1) and 802(34)(C).” A jury convicted him on all counts. He was sentenced by United States District Judge Jack E. Tanner to 324 months imprisonment. Medrano appeals his convictions on two of the four counts which charged him with possession and distribution of ephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine. He also appeals his sentence. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We reverse Medrano’s convictions on the two contested counts, because as to these two counts the evidence of his possession was insufficient. We also vacate his sentence and remand to the district court for resentencing.

In a separate jury trial before United States. District Judge Howard B. Turrentine, Medrano was convicted of distribution of…