Wade

MEMORANDUM **

Defendant Tyrone Maurice Wade (“Wade”) appeals his convictions of conspiracy to distribute marijuana in violation of 21 U.S.C. § § 841(a)(1) and 846, and aiding and abetting the possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. § 2 . We find that both convictions were supported by sufficient evidence and therefore affirm.

With respect to the conspiracy conviction, there is no dispute that there was a conspiracy. Accordingly, evidence of only a slight connection of Wade to the conspiracy is necessary to support Wade’s conviction of knowing participation in the conspiracy. See United States v. Sanchez-Mata, 925 F.2d 1166, 1167 (9th Cir.1991).

First, sufficient evidence supported a finding that Wade participated in the conspiracy by assisting the conspirators in transporting to the water, and later retrieving, the boat that brought 629 kilograms of marijuana across the Mexican border to San Diego, California. In addition to traveling from Los Angeles to San Diego and then riding with co-defendant David Bailey in the track that towed a trailer carrying the boat, Wade helped open the gates of the lot where the boat…