United States v. Rodriguez-Lopez, No. 12-41177 (5th Cir. 2014)
Annotate this CaseDefendants Rodriquez-Lopez and Barron appealed their convictions and sentences for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Defendants raised a number of issues on appeal. The court concluded that a rational jury could conclude by a preponderance of the evidence that venue was proper in the Eastern District of Texas; the evidence was sufficient to convict Rodriquez-Lopez; and Rodriquez-Lopez's sentence did not violate United States v. Booker. The court also concluded that the evidence was sufficient to convict Barron. Although the court agreed with Barron that the prosecutor's comments during closing arguments were improper, the comments did not prejudice Barron. The court concluded, however, that the district court erred in applying a three-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. 1B1.3(a)(1)(A) for Barron's managerial or supervisory role in the drug conspiracy. Accordingly, the court vacated Barron's sentence as to Count One and remanded for resentencing. The court affirmed in all other respects.
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