United States v. Jose Meranda-Paniagua

37 F.3d 1507 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Jose MERANDA-PANIAGUA, Defendant-Appellant. No. 93-50350. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Argued and Submitted Sept. 14, 1994. Decided Oct. 13, 1994. Before: FEINBERG * , SCHROEDER and KOZINSKI, Circuit Judges. 1 MEMORANDUM ** 2 A. A rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that there was a single conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. See United States v. Kenny, 645 F.2d 1323, 1335 (9th Cir.1981). The government established that Paniagua was the hub of a methamphetamine ring. He bought ephedrine and sold it to others who made methamphetamine. He then bought back the methamphetamine, which he distributed. This amounts to a single conspiracy because all members of the ring " 'had reason to believe that their own benefits were dependent on the success of the entire venture.' " Id. (quoting United States v.…