United States v. Francisco Javier Alvarez, A.K.A. Frank Javier Alvarez, United States of America v. Richard Valenzuela

Caution

358 F.3d 1194·2004 WL 345749·2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 3511

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitFebruary 25, 200401-10686, 02-10260California9,651 words

Opinion

Restani, J.

I. IntRoduction

Francisco Javier Alvarez appeals his jury conviction and sentence for one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in excess of five kilograms in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and § 846 (2000), a Class A felony. Richard Valenzuela appeals his jury conviction of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 , 841(a)(1), and 841(b)(1)(A)(ii)(II) (2000), also a Class A felony. We have jurisdiction over their timely appeals under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1291 and 1294 (2000). For the reasons that follow, we vacate Alvarez’s conviction and remand his case to the district court with instructions to review the probation files of three cooperating witnesses to determine whether they contain information that should have been disclosed to the defense. We affirm Valenzuela’s conviction and sentence.

II. Factual And PROoeduRAL BACKGROUND

These appeals involve a broad conspiracy to import and distribute at least 12 tons of cocaine from Mexico from approximately December 1995 through May 1999. The cocaine was smuggled, into the United States through a 200-foot long tunnel linking a mobile home in Naco,…

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Parties

UNITED STATES of America-
Plaintiff
Francisco Javier ALVAREZ, A.K.A. Frank Javier Alvarez-
Defendant

Judges

Kozinski
Nelson
Restani

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