United States v. Willie B. Jones

ORDER

The memorandum disposition filed January 7, 1994, is redesignated as a per curiam opinion by the panel.

OPINION

Willie B. Jones, a federal prisoner, appeals his conviction and sentence for distributing cocaine base in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1). We affirm.

I.

FACTS AND PRIOR PROCEEDINGS

Jones was the unwitting target of a multi-agency sting operation in the Portland area. Jones met a certain Mr. Tredwell at a gas station in December 1991. Jones, who identified himself only as “Chill,” offered to sell crack cocaine to Tredwell. Unbeknownst to Jones, Tredwell was a paid government informant.

Jones again offered to sell crack cocaine to Tredwell during two subsequent phone conversations (one of which was recorded). Jones and Tredwell negotiated price and quantity, and Jones had Tredwell finalize the location for the transaction with his unidentified “partner.”

As agreed, Jones and his partner met Tredwell at a convenience store to complete the transaction. Jones got into Tredwell’s car, haggled over the price of the cocaine, and took and counted Tredwell’s money. Jones then told Tredwell his partner would deliver the drugs, and he got out of the car. Moments…