United States v. Jesus Sanchez-Carranza

MEMORANDUM

Jesus Sanchez-Carranza appeals his jury conviction and sentence. Sanchez-Carranza challenges the jury verdict, asserting that the evidence was not sufficient to sustain a conviction for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine beyond a reasonable doubt. He further objects to the district judge’s failure to grant him a minimal participant downward adjustment under U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm the jury conviction and sentence.

1. The district court did not err in denying the motion for judgment of acquittal, because the evidence was sufficient to sustain the conviction. There was ample circumstantial and direct evidence showing that Sanchez-Carranza made an agreement with a co-conspirator to distribute methamphetamine. Specifically, Sanchez-Carranza’s co-conspirator testified at trial, establishing that (1) he contacted Sanchez-Carranza to get the methamphetamine to sell to Detective Marley; (2) he received the methamphetamine from Sanchez-Carranza; and (3) he gave Sanchez-Carranza some of the money after the purchase, to pay for the methamphetamine. This same testimony also provides sufficient evidence that a jury could…