United States v. Szloboda

Opinion

IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

No. 96-10052 Summary Calendar

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

versus

ANTHONY PRUITT DAVIS, STEVEN MICHAEL SZLOBODA, JULIAN PHILLIP RAMIREZ,

Defendants-Appellants.

- - - - - - - - - - Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas USDC No. 3:95-CR-213-R - - - - - - - - - - June 3, 1997 Before KING, JOLLY and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:*

A jury found Anthony Pruitt Davis, Steven Michael Szloboda,

and Julian Phillip Ramirez guilty of dealing in stolen motor

vehicles with removed or altered identification numbers,

transporting stolen vehicles in interstate and foreign commerce,

removing motor vehicle identification numbers, possession with

intent to sell or dispose of a motor vehicle with an altered

* Pursuant to Local Rule 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in Local Rule 47.5.4. No. 96-10052 - 2 -

identification number, mail fraud, and making false statements to

a lending institution.

Davis argues that the evidence was insufficient to convict

him of conspiracy. The record was not devoid of evidence which

showed that Davis prearranged with others the theft of

automobiles on his behalf. United States v. Thomas, 12 F.3d

1350, 1358 (5th Cir. 1994); United States v. Wieschenberg, 604

F.2d 326, 334 (5th Cir. 1979).

Davis and Ramirez challenge the sufficiency of the evidence

to convict them of the substantive counts with which they were

charged. Insamuch as Davis and Ramirez were conspirators, each

could be convicted of substantive offenses based on acts his

coconspirator committed in furtherance of the conspiracy because

said acts fell within the scope of the conspiracy and were

reasonably foreseeable. Unites States v. Patterson, 962 F.2d

409, 412 (5th Cir. 1992).

Davis and Ramirez argue that the court's instruction to the

jury on the conspiracy count unlawfully amended and expanded the

scope of the indictment. The court's instruction was not a

constructive amendment to the indictment, United States v. Leahy,

82 F.3d 624, 631-32 (5th Cir. 1996), and was not plain error.

United States v. Reyes, 102 F.3d 1361, 1365 (5th Cir. 1996).

Davis and Ramirez argue that the trial court omitted an

essential element of the offense with which they were charged in

its instructions to the jury on Counts Three, Four, Five, and No. 96-10052 - 3 -

Eleven. The court's instruction, however, tracked the language

of the statute with which they were charged of violating. See 18

U.S.C. § 2321.

Szloboda argues that the trial court failed to instruct the

jury on the issue of materiality on Counts Six and Nine (charging

a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014), and on Count Eight (charging a

violation of § 1341). Materiality of the false statement is not

an element of the offense of violating § 1014. United States v.

Wells, 117 S. Ct. 921, 931 (1997). Szloboda makes no appreciable

argument that the false statements he made when he violated §

1341 were not material. See Kungys v. United States, 485 U.S.

759, 770 (1988). Alternatively, the court's instruction on Count

Eight was not plain error because it mentioned materiality.

See United States v. McGuire, 99 F.3d 671, 672 (5th Cir. 1996)

(en banc).

Davis challenges the increase in his base offense level

pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2B1.1(b)(4)(A) for more than minimal

planning. The court's increase was not clear error. United

States v. Clements, 73 F.3d 1330, 1341 (5th Cir. 1996).

Davis and Ramirez challenge the court's refusal to reduce

their base offense levels under § 3B1.2 for minimal

participation. The court's refusal was not plain error. United

States v. Pofahl, 990 F.2d 1456, 1479 (5th Cir. 1993); United

States v. Lopez, 923 F.2d 47, 50 (5th Cir. 1991).

The Appellants' convictions and sentences are AFFIRMED.