United States v. Tony Si

ORDER

Appellant Tony Si (“Si”) was convicted of conspiring to rob a truck supposedly carrying between $800,000 to $1,000,000 worth of computer components. Si argues that he never planned to rob the truck, but that he merely planned on tricking the other organizers of the robbery out of their up-front investment in the crime. The robbery never occurred because the entire operation was a sting. The other main organizers of the robbery were an undercover police officer and a government informant.

A jury found Si guilty of (1) conspiracy to commit a robbery that affects interstate commerce in violation of the Hobbs Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (a); and (2) use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924 (c). Si was sentenced to a total of 138 months. Si appeals the judgment and sentence.

Si raises numerous challenges on direct appeal, including the argument that his statutory and constitutional rights to an interpreter were violated. We direct a partial REMAND of this appeal to the district court with instructions to conduct appropriate evidentiary proceedings and to make further findings.

I

Tony Si argues that the district court deprived him of a…