United States v. Manouk Mkhsian, United States of America v. Abram Meliksetian, United States of America v. Andranik Sogoyan

Appellants Mkhsian, Meliksetian, and So-goyan appeal their convictions for violating 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 , 841(a)(1) (conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute) and 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1) (possession of cocaine with intent to distribute). Meliksetian and Sogoyan also appeal their sentences. We have jurisdiction over appellants’ timely appeals pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We affirm Meliksetian’s conviction and sentence, but, because the entrapment instructions given to the jury were erroneous, we reverse Mkhsian’s and Sogoyan’s convictions and remand for a new trial.

I.

Appellants are Armenian-Americans who, prior to their convictions, resided in • the greater Los Angeles area. In June 1990, the FBI asked Richard Stanton, a previously utilized informant, to contact Manouk “Mike” Mkhsian, who the government believed was laundering money. Stanton was directed to present himself as a money launderer and narcotics organization pilot with good connections in Belize and other Central American countries.

Over time, the FBI’s investigation evolved into a “reverse sting” narcotics operation. Mkhsian introduced Stanton to Andranik “Andy” Sogoyan and Abram “George”…