United States v. Francisco Mendoza-Prado, Aka, Paco

Defendant Francisco Mendoza-Prado appeals his conviction, after a jury trial, of two cocaine-related offenses. We affirm.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Defendant met Donald Peralta in 1994, when Peralta was hired by the janitorial firm where Defendant worked. The two men became business and social friends while they worked together. They maintained a loose acquaintance after Defendant left his job at the janitorial firm.

In the fall of 1996, FBI Agent Mario Galindo undertook an investigation of drug trafficking in Redwood City, California. Agent Galindo knew Peralta, who had supplied him with information in the past. A primary target of the 1996 investigation was Defendant’s brother Vicente. While reviewing relevant information, Agent Gal-indo noted that Peralta and Defendant had worked for the same company, so he decided to use Peralta as a cooperating witness.

In November 1996, Agent Galindo asked Peralta to renew his acquaintance with Defendant. Peralta agreed and began to report to Agent Galindo what he learned. Peralta testified at Defendant’s trial to several conversations he had with Defendant concerning drugs, guns, and drug trafficking, but in which Peralta had…