United States v. Orlando Ariel Gonzalez Perez

283 F. App'x 716
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
DecidedJune 24, 2008
Docket07-10485
StatusUnpublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 283 F. App'x 716 (United States v. Orlando Ariel Gonzalez Perez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Eleventh 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. Orlando Ariel Gonzalez Perez, 283 F. App'x 716 (11th Cir. 2008).

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Defendant-appellant Orlando Ariel Gonzalez Perez was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment. On appeal, he challenges (1) the denial of his motion to suppress intercepted phone calls, (2) evidentiary rulings, (3) the jury instructions, and (4) the amount of drugs for which he was held responsible at sentencing. 1 After oral argument and a •thorough review of the record, we affirm.

*717 I.

Gonzalez Perez was charged along with Jairo Sanz de la Rosa (“Sanz”), Wilfredo Robles, Rudy Rodriguez, Jorge Isaacs Diaz (“Isaacs”), and Humberto Rua in a three-count indictment. 2 Count 1 charged all defendants with conspiracy to import five kilograms of more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 952, 960(b), and 963. Count 2 alleged that all defendants engaged in conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Count 3 charged Sanz, Isaacs, and Rua with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841.

A. Pre-trial Motions

1. Motion to Suppress Wiretap Evidence

United States DEA Agents began investigating the Del Toro drug ring in 2004. Wiretaps obtained by the U.S. government as part of that investigation identified Del Toro, William de Jesus Arias, Jorge Neiro Cuadra, and Sanz as sources of cocaine in the United States. The scheme involved an extensive structure of importation and distribution “cells.” One such cell was under Sanz’s leadership. The participants in the scheme used multiple phones to compartmentalize the cells and limit liability. In December 2004, as a result of intercepted calls, authorities were able to seize over twenty kilograms of cocaine that Del Toro imported using cargo planes.

In February 2005, DEA agents obtained information from a confidential informant regarding importation of drugs through Miami International Airport using airport employees. The informant confirmed that Sanz was involved in narcotics importation using Isaacs, an airport employee and Sanz’s cousin, to remove drugs from incoming planes. In June 2005, Colombian officials intercepted a call, pursuant to a Colombian-issued wiretap, which led United States DEA agents to believe that Sanz was planning to import narcotics with Del Toro. In August 2005, Colombian authorities intercepted a call to Del Toro from Sanz at 786-426-7009 (target phone 1). Del Toro later informed Arias that Sanz’s number was 786-356-9973 (target phone 2). Throughout August, Colombian authorities intercepted calls on these two phones concerning narcotics deliveries. Agents were able to intercept calls from Gonzalez Perez and Isaacs to target phone 1. Intercepted calls to target phone 2 identified Del Toro, Arias, and Isaacs as participants.

Based on this information, the U.S. govei’nment requested wiretaps for target phones 1 and 2 in September 2005. According to the affidavit, there was probable cause to believe agents would intercept calls connected to drug trafficking by Del Toro, Sanz, Arias, Isaacs, and others, via the two targeted phones. The government also identified Gonzalez Perez as a participant in Del Toro’s organization based on information that he had been indicted in the Western District of Pennsylvania in 1992. The charges had been dismissed in 2000 after authorities were unable to locate him. The only other mention of Gonzalez Perez in the affidavit was evidence *718 that he sent two wire transfers and that he had made two calls to target phone 1.

In its affidavit, the government stated that the intercepted calls would reveal evidence of the participants in drug trafficking offenses, and that other normal investigative techniques had failed. Specifically, the affidavit explained that traditional methods such as surveillance, pen registers, and confidential informants had been of limited use due to the international scope of the scheme and Sanz’s ability to conceal his location and identity. The affidavit also confirmed that the confidential informant had been arrested and could no longer provide new information. The affiant further explained why other techniques such as subpoenas, interviews, and undercover operations would not be successful and would draw attention to the investigation. According to the affidavit, the wiretaps would enable agents to identify additional participants and their locations and permit surveillance without alerting the participants to the investigation. Finally, the affidavit confirmed that agents would take all necessary steps to minimize the interceptions. The district court concluded that the affidavit established probable cause and issued the wiretap authorization for thirty days.

As a result of the initial wiretaps, agents intercepted numerous calls in which the tai'gets used what agents believed to be code words to discuss deliveries. They also intercepted numerous calls involving Gonzalez Perez. In a September 30, 2005 call from Gonzalez Perez to Sanz on target phone 1, the two discussed what agents believed to be an attempted delivery of drugs to Willie, which according to a criminal database, was Robles’s alias.

The government provided the court with updates during the initial wire tap period. In one of these updates, the government informed the court that Gonzalez Perez was in possession of target phone 2.

The government obtained a second wiretap in November 2005 for target phone 1 and a new number 786-356-2676, which agents believed was another phone assigned to Sanz. The government informed the court that target phone 1 was being used by Sanz and the former target phone 2 (the 9973 number) was being used by Gonzalez Perez. Agents identified about 100 calls between target phone 1 and former target phone 2, leading them to believe that Gonzalez Perez was a participant in the narcotics scheme. Through the second authorizations, agents expected to intercept calls from Sanz, Gonzalez Perez, Del Toro, Arias, and Robles, among others. According to the affidavit, continued wiretaps could assist in identifying additional participants and narcotics deliveries. The remainder of the affidavit detailed the reasons the wiretap was necessary, the failure of other investigative techniques, and the methods of minimization. The district court granted authorization.

Gonzalez Perez moved to suppress the wiretap evidence on the grounds that the government had, inter alia (1) failed to show probable cause with respect to Gonzalez Perez, (2) failed to show necessity, and (3) failed to comply with the minimization requirements in 18 U.S.C. § § 2515 and 2518. He also requested a Franks 3

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
283 F. App'x 716, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-orlando-ariel-gonzalez-perez-ca11-2008.