United States v. Alfred Lee Apodaca

843 F.2d 421, 1988 WL 28265
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
DecidedJune 24, 1988
Docket86-1366
StatusPublished
Cited by145 cases

This text of 843 F.2d 421 (United States v. Alfred Lee Apodaca) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Alfred Lee Apodaca, 843 F.2d 421, 1988 WL 28265 (10th Cir. 1988).

Opinion

SEYMOUR, Circuit Judge.

Alfred Lee Apodaca was convicted of engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise (CCE), in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 848 (1982); use of a communication facility in connection with the commission of a felony, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 843(b) (1982); and unlawful possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C.App. § 1202(a)(1) (1982). With respect to the continuing criminal enterprise conviction, Apodaca argues that (1) the evidence was insufficient to support a jury finding that he organized, supervised, or managed five or more persons, and (2) the court committed reversible error by allowing the Government to introduce evidence of predicate offenses not specifically alleged in the indictment. Apo-daca also argues that the trial court abused its discretion and abridged his right to a fair trial by permitting the marshal to secure his legs with a leg chain during the trial. We affirm.

I.

The Government’s proof at trial showed that from at least 1982 until February 1985, Apodaca was the central figure in organizing numerous individuals to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine (crank) in central Wyoming. Nick Manza-nares, one of Apodaca’s immediate subordinates, testified that in 1982 he began selling methamphetamine for Apodaca. When Apodaca moved to Cody, Manza-nares “more or less took up the position that [Apodaca] had occupied there in River-ton — took over the business,” rec., vol. VI, at 381, and sold a supply of crank that Apodaca had left with him on a consignment basis. Ron Jackson testified that he began selling crank for Apodaca early in 1983 in Casper. Jackson stated that sometimes he dealt with Apodaca personally, while at other times transactions were handled through Manzanares or Dennis Beck-ers, Apodaca’s stepfather.

In late 1983 or early 1984, Apodaca, George Williamson, and Donald Settegast manufactured methamphetamine at Apoda-ca’s residence in Riverton. Manzanares testified that he received and sold some of the crank from this “cook” (cook I), and gave the proceeds from the sales to Apoda-ca.

In June 1984, another “cook” (cook II) took place between Riverton and Shoshoni. Apodaca and Manzanares assisted Williamson, who acted as the chemist or “chef.” After cook II was completed, Apodaca and Manzanares packed up the laboratory, which Manzanares stored at Apodaca’s instruction. Apodaca gave portions of the cook II supply to Manzanares, who distributed it to Susan Harsch, Tim Richards, and Ron Jackson, who were dealing in Casper, and to Mike Pasely, who was dealing in Riverton and Thermopolis. Harsch paid Manzanares the proceeds from her sales, he retained his own share, and “[m]ost of [the money] went back to [Apodaca].” Rec., vol. VI, at 395-96. Manzanares testified that Jackson and Pasely were both dealers working for Apodaca.

Manzanares also testified that Apodaca had offered to pay for a lawyer if Manza-nares were ever arrested. Rec., vol. VI, at 398. Apodaca instructed Manzanares to pass on the information. Manzanares conveyed Apodaca’s offer to Harsch, Richards, and Ron and Barbara Hale, all dealers who *425 received their supply of methamphetamine from Apodaca through Manzanares.

In mid-August 1984, the supply of crank from cook II was depleted. Apodaca instructed Manzanares and Beckers to transport the lab from Wyoming to Oregon for another “cook” (cook III). In Oregon, Williamson, Apodaca, and Manzanares produced approximately eighteen pounds of methamphetamine. Manzanares and Apodaca then packed up the lab and stored it in a rental storage facility in Grants Pass, Oregon. Apodaca signed the storage contract. After cook III, he and Manzanares trav-elled to San Francisco. At Apodaca’s direction, Jackson flew to San Francisco to pick up some of the cook III crank to take back to Wyoming. Manzanares flew back to Casper with about a pound of crank. Harsch picked him up at the Casper airport and took him to her trailer house, where he distributed a few ounces of crank to Harsch and Richards. Ron and Barbara Hale, who were dealing in Riverton and whom Manzanares had called from California, met him at Harsch’s house and drove him back to Riverton. The Hales initially received about an ounce of the cook III crank. Manzanares eventually distributed the remainder of the pound to Harsch, Richards, and the Hales.

The evidence suggests that Apodaca remained on the West Coast while the first portions of the cook III crank were being sold on the street in Wyoming. When he returned, he brought back five more pounds of methamphetamine, which he gave to Manzanares for distribution. Later, after Apodaca was arrested and incarcerated, Manzanares continued to distribute the five pounds to Donald Settegast, Linda Williamson, Ron Jackson, Louis Montoya, and Dave Blumgren, on instructions from Dennis Beckers. Beckers received the sales proceeds on Apodaca’s behalf and at Apodaca’s direction.

Susan Harsch testified that in October 1984, Manzanares introduced her to Apoda-ca. Harsch stated that while the three of them were together, she said to Manza-nares, “So, this is your boss?” Rec., vol. VII, at 596. Manzanares “agreed,” and Apodaca “kind of made a little sound and nodded his head.” Id. Later, Harsch said to Apodaca, “I am glad that you finally told me, because I have known for over a year that [you are] the boss, or head man.” Apodaca “just kind of laughed and said, ‘Yeah.’ ” Id. at 597.

In January 1985, Apodaca was arrested and incarcerated. Randy Britt, who first met Apodaca when the two were imprisoned in the county jail, testified that Apo-daca told him that “Barb and her husband” had been selling for him. Rec., vol. VII, at 617. Apodaca also told Britt that “when he got out of prison, he was going to get everybody going again.” Id. at 619.

II.

Apodaca does not dispute that the facts summarized above clearly establish his deep involvement with numerous individuals in the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine. Instead, he contends that the evidence was insufficient to permit the jury to find that he occupied a position of organizer, supervisor, or manager with respect to five or more persons, as required by 21 U.S.C. § 848(b)(2)(A). Apodaca concedes that the requisite relationship existed between himself and three people — Manza-nares, Beckers, and Jackson. After reviewing the record, we conclude that the jury properly could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that he occupied the position of organizer, supervisor, or manager with respect to at least four other individuals.

In reviewing a claim that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction, “the relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); see United States v. Dickey, 736 F.2d 571, 587 (10th Cir.1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1188, 105 S.Ct.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

United States v. Jacobo
Tenth Circuit, 2025
United States v. Tao
107 F.4th 1179 (Tenth Circuit, 2024)
State v. Sweet
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2024
Vandamme Jeanty v. the State of Texas
Court of Appeals of Texas, 2023
United States v. Smith
Tenth Circuit, 2023
State v. Nesbitt
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2021
United States v. Ray
899 F.3d 852 (Tenth Circuit, 2018)
United States v. Sanchez
658 F. App'x 894 (Tenth Circuit, 2016)
United States v. Washington
653 F.3d 1251 (Tenth Circuit, 2011)
United States v. Cook
383 F. App'x 757 (Tenth Circuit, 2010)
United States v. Anderson
705 F. Supp. 2d 1 (District of Columbia, 2010)
United States v. Kennedy
220 F. App'x 407 (Sixth Circuit, 2007)
Rickerson v. State
138 S.W.3d 528 (Court of Appeals of Texas, 2004)
State v. Sanders
68 P.3d 434 (Court of Appeals of Arizona, 2003)
United States v. Almaraz
306 F.3d 1031 (Tenth Circuit, 2002)
United States v. McSwain
197 F.3d 472 (Tenth Circuit, 1999)
Parks v. Hargett
Tenth Circuit, 1999
United States v. Demeree
Tenth Circuit, 1999

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
843 F.2d 421, 1988 WL 28265, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-alfred-lee-apodaca-ca10-1988.