United States v. Nazareth Andonian, Vahe Andonian, Ruben Saini, Raul Vivas, and Juan Carlos Seresi
Opinion
Opinion
Beezer, J.
The defendants appeal their jury convictions and sentences for conspiracy to commit money laundering and for money laundering in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1956(a)(l)(A)(i) and (B)(i). The government alleged the defendants organized and operated a vast and elaborate money laundering network, known by its participants as “La Mina,” which laundered cash drug proceeds by purchasing, trading, and selling gold and then wire-transferring the funds out of the country. Over a three-year period, approximately $316 million were funneled to banks in Central and South America.
Raul Vivas, Juan Carlos Seresi, Vahe An-donian, and Nazareth Andonian were convicted of conspiracy to launder money (Count 2) and of individual acts of money laundering alleged in Counts 3-27. Ruben Saini was convicted of conspiracy to launder money (Count 2) and of individual acts of money laundering alleged in Counts 6-27. Saini was acquitted of money laundering alleged in Counts 3-5. None of the defendants was convicted on Count 1, which alleged conspiracy to aid and abet the possession and distri bution of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 , 846 and 18 U.S.C. § 2 .