Federal Circuits, Fifth Circuit (August 11, 1983)
Docket number: 82-2087
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Constitution of the United States (Annotated) - Section 3: Treason
U.S. Supreme Court - Wood v. Georgia, 450 U.S. 261 (1981)
U.S. Supreme Court - United States v. Turkette, 452 U.S. 576 (1981)
U.S. Supreme Court - Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410 (1969)
U.S. Supreme Court - Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60 (1942)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit - USA vs. Doe (5th Cir. 1996)
Bruder & Cooper, Melvyn Carson Bruder, Dallas, Tex., Michael Tigar, Washington, D.C., for defendant-appellant.
Robert J. Wortham, U.S. Atty., Tyler, Tex., David B. Smith, Dept. of Justice, Appellate Section, Crim. Div., Washington, D.C., for plaintiff-appellee.Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.Before WISDOM, RUBIN and TATE, Circuit Judges.ALVIN B. RUBIN, Circuit Judge:Rex C. Cauble appeals his conviction on a ten-count indictment charging him with violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute (RICO) and the Travel Act and with misapplication of bank funds. Cauble, a wealthy Texas businessman, was in effect accused of being the range boss of the highly publicized "Cowboy Mafia," a loosely-knit group responsible for importing and distributing over 147,000 pounds of marijuana from 1976 through 1978.1 The indictment charged Cauble with substantive violations of RICO2 based on conduct of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and investment of income from racketeering activity in an interstate enterprise; conspiracy to violate RICO; three violations of the Travel Act,3 and four counts of misapplication of bank funds.4 The jury convicted him on all counts and found that Cauble's share of Cauble Enterprises should be forfeited. The trial judge imposed a five-year sentence on Count One and concurrent five-year sentences on the other counts and ordered the forfeiture. Cauble's appeal raises myriad challenges to the indictment, the sufficiency of the evidence adduced at trial, and the legality of the forfeiture. Having reviewed the sixteen-volume record, we conclude that the trial was fair, the evidence was sufficient, and the assertions of error are without merit. We, therefore, affirm the judgment of conviction and forfeiture.I. The RICO ClaimsA. BackgroundCongress adopted the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations provisions5 "to provide a blueprint for federal action against organized crime...."6 Although it suffered initially from limited use, RICO is now a frequently-employed arrow in the federal prosecutor's crime-fighting quiver. RICO's application and effectiveness have been enhanced by the judicial consensus that it may be used even though no organized crime activity is charged7 and by the Supreme Court's decision that it applies not only to legitimate enterprises conducted through a pattern of racketeering activity, but to wholly illegitimate enterprises as well.81. What RICO ProhibitsRICO's purpose is "the imposition of enhanced criminal penalties and new civil sanctions to provide new legal remedies for all types of organized criminal behavior, that is, enterprise criminality--from simple political corruption to sophisticated white-collar crime schemes to traditional Mafia-type endeavors."9 RICO does not, however, criminalize conduct that was legal before its enactment. Its application depends on the existence of racketeering activity violating some other criminal statute, state or federal.10Section 1962(a) of the statute prohibits the use of illegally-derived funds to acquire or maintain an interest in an enterprise by legal means.11 Section 1962(c) proscribes the illegal use of an enterprise. Section 1962(d) makes illegal a conspiracy to violate RICO's substantive provisions, requiring the government to prove that the defendant agreed to participate in the enterprise's affairs through a pattern of racketeering. Each section requires that the enterprise affect interstate commerce.The government establishes a Sec. 1962(a) violation by proving the existence of an enterprise, the defendant's derivation of income from a pattern of racketeering activity, and the use of any part of that income in acquiring an interest in or operating the enterprise. The government establishes a Sec. 1962(c) violation by proving the existence of an enterprise, the defendant's employment by or association with that enterprise, and the defendant's conduct of or participation in the conduct of the enterprise's affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity.12 Because this case requires us to examine the proof necessary to demonstrate both the existence of an enterprise and the connection of a defendant to it, we discuss each element briefly.2. EnterpriseThe statute states: " 'enterprise' includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, and any union or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity."13 The Supreme Court has held that this language encompasses both wholly legal entities and completely illegal associations-in-fact.14 But "[t]he 'enterprise' is not the 'pattern of racketeering activity'; it is an entity separate and apart from the pattern of activity in which it engages."15 Therefore, in every case the government must prove not only that there was a pattern of racketeering activity but that it was conducted through an enterprise as thus defined.In this case the indictment charged that Cauble Enterprises, a legal partnership consisting of Cauble, his wife, and his son, was the enterprise used in violation of both Secs. 1962(a) and (c).163. Pattern of Racketeering ActivityThe statute defines a "pattern of racketeering activity" as "at least two acts of racketeering activity ... the last of which occurred within ten years ... after the commission of a prior act of racketeering activity."17 "Racketeering activity" includes an array of crimes that violate either state or federal law.184. Nexus Between the Enterprise and the Racketeering ActivityRICO criminalizes the conduct of an enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity and not merely the defendant's engaging in racketeering activity.19 Therefore, there must be a nexus between the enterprise, the defendant, and the pattern of racketeering activity. The mere fact that a defendant works for a legitimate enterprise and commits racketeering acts while on the business premises does not establish that the affairs of the enterprise have been conducted "through" a pattern of racketeering activity.20 Similarly, a defendant's mere association with a lawful enterprise whose affairs are conducted through a pattern of racketeering activity in which he is not personally engaged does not establish his guilt under RICO.21In several opinions we have discussed the requirement that there be a nexus between the enterprise and the racketeering activity. We have not, however, formulated a test to determine whether the requisite nexus has been established by the government's proof.22 Even in our most recent discussion of legal enterprises, United States v. Dozier, 672 F.2d 531 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 103 S.Ct. 256, 74 L.Ed.2d 200 (1982), we did not define the nexus required but concluded that "the nexus is clear" because "[o]nly [the defendant's] position in the [enterprise] and his control over its affairs enabled him to hawk its services for personal gain." 672 F.2d at 544.Two courts have held that the test for determining whether the government has met the nexus requirement is whether it has proved that "(1) [the defendant] is enabled to commit the predicate offenses solely by virtue of his position in or control over the affairs of the enterprise, or (2) the predicate offenses are related to the activities of that enterprise."23 This test appears to us essentially to combine the two required connections under part (1) of the inquiry. Because the enterprise-racketeering nexus should be distinct from the defendant-racketeering connection, we find it necessary to modify this formulation. A defendant does not "conduct" or "participate in the conduct" of a lawful enterprise's affairs, unless (1) the defendant has in fact committed the racketeering acts as alleged; (2) the defendant's position in the enterprise facilitated his commission of the racketeering acts, and (3) the predicate acts had some effect on the lawful enterprise.24B. Challenges to the IndictmentCauble challenges each RICO count on the ground that it fails to state an offense against the United States.25 Count One of Cauble's indictment, the conspiracy charge, details the predicate offenses and overt acts with great specificity. It alleges that as part of the conspiracy Cauble Enterprises' "lands, buildings, automobiles, aircrafts [sic], employees and assets" would be used. It then lists thirty-seven overt acts, alleging that Cauble and Cauble Enterprises loaned money to, financed travel by, and provided ranches and an airplane for use by the conspirators. Cauble nonetheless contends that this count is defective because its charging portion does not include references to the particular means by which Cauble Enterprises' affairs were conducted through a pattern of racketeering activity. He also contends that the allegation that he acted "individually and doing business as Cauble Enterprises" "leaves a question whether some agency theory more arcane than contemplated by 18 U.S.C. Sec . 2 is being invoked."26 Finally, he charges that the count is too vague to permit a clear answer.The indictment's purpose is to inform the accused of the charges; it must be read in the light of that purpose. An indictment is sufficient if it contains the elements of the offense charged, fairly informs the defendant what charge he must be prepared to meet, and enables the accused to plead acquittal or conviction in bar of future prosecutions for the same offense. Stratton, 649 F.2d at 1073.In Stratton, the defendant argued that the indictment was defective because it alleged too broad an enterprise. We stated: "The agreements which were part of the alleged conspiracy, the 'overt acts' in furtherance of the conspiracy, and the substantive racketeering offenses are all related in great detail." Id. We, therefore, concluded that the indictment left no room for doubt about the charges lodged against each defendant and protected them from double jeopardy.Count One of this indictment, whose detail we have already summarized, is sufficient to inform Cauble of the charges against him and to permit him to answer these charges. Furthermore, the list of overt acts adequately specifies the means by which Cauble Enterprises' affairs were conducted through a pattern of racketeering activity.Count Two, brought under Sec. 1962(a), charges Cauble with aiding and abetting six incidents of marijuana smuggling and with committing or aiding and abetting various acts of travel as part of a pattern of racketeering activity. It charges that Cauble received income from these activities and invested it in Cauble Enterprises. Cauble claims that this count fails to state an offense because it can be read consistently with innocence and fails to give notice of the amount of racketeering income invested in the enterprise and the nature of its investment.The indictment charges Cauble with investing income derived from racketeering activity in an interstate enterprise. It lists the acts alleged as the pattern of racketeering activity. These are the essential elements of the offense charged.Cauble nevertheless contends that the indictment did not put him on notice of the "source, amount, and nature of the 'income' ... and the destination, amount and nature of the 'investment' ...." But the substantive offense charged is the "investment" of "income" in an enterprise and the indictment's wording makes clear that this is the charge against which Cauble must defend. The defendant is entitled to a "plain, concise statement of the essential facts constituting the offenses charged,"27 but the indictment need not set forth every evidentiary detail necessary to establish the elements of the offense.28Count Three, brought under Sec. 1962(c), charges Cauble with conducting the affairs of Cauble Enterprises through a pattern of racketeering activity and incorporates by reference the allegations in Count Two that Cauble aided and abetted smuggling and acts of criminal travel. It thus puts Cauble on notice first that he is charged with conducting Cauble Enterprises' affairs through a pattern of racketeering and second that the acts of racketeering are those set forth in Count Two. Cauble argues that this count is vague because it fails to explain how its allegations are related to the holdings of Cauble Enterprises sought to be forfeited. The indictment is clear to all but the captious. It plainly and concisely states the charge and that suffices.29Cauble contends that Count Two, charging investment in the enterprise, and Count Three, charging conduct of the enterprise, are multiplicitous.30 Rule 12(b)(2) requires that defenses and objections based on defects in the indictment be raised before trial. In United States v. Bradsby, 628 F.2d 901, 905-06 (5th Cir.1980), we held that a failure to raise the multiplicity argument before trial did not waive the right to object to multiple sentences. We reasoned that the defendant should not be forced to serve an erroneous sentence imposed on each count of a multiplicitous indictment because of waiver.In this case, however, Cauble received a concurrent sentence on the allegedly multiplicitous counts. Therefore, this claim is arguably waived.Even if not waived, this contention lacks merit. To sustain a conviction on Count Two the government must prove that the defendant derived and invested income. To convict on Count Three the government must satisfy the three-pronged test we have set out above.31 These are plainly different offenses, requiring proof of different elements, so the counts are not multiplicitous.32C. The Evidence33The government's proof focused on a series of smuggling episodes involving the shrimp boats MONKEY, JUBILEE, BAYOU BLUES, and AGNES PAULINE and their connection to Cauble's trusted ranch foreman, Charles "Muscles" Foster.34 The issue, as both trial counsel repeatedly stressed to the jury, was whether Cauble knew of the smuggling activities; no one contested that the smugglers used many of Cauble Enterprises' assets. Much of the government's evidence came from the mouths of "Cowboy Mafia" members and former Cauble Enterprises employees.1. January-February 1977: the PreliminariesRaymond Hawkins, a confessed drug smuggler, met Foster in 1972 and the two became reacquainted in 1976.35 Foster flew by commercial airliner to Thomasville, Georgia, near Hawkins' home, on February 1, 1977; Cauble Enterprises paid for the ticket. When Cauble made a $25,000 loan to Foster from Cauble Enterprises' funds on February 9, 1977, Foster told Cauble that the money was to be reloaned to Hawkins. Hawkins flew to New Jersey the next day to lease trucks to haul marijuana. Cauble Enterprises paid for the ticket and Hawkins used all or part of the $25,000 to pay for the trucks.36 Foster helped unload marijuana from the MONKEY on or about February 21, 1977.2. February-June 1977: the MONKEYThe smugglers decided to move the operation from Georgia to Texas. Hawkins met with Foster and Carlos Gerdes37 several times to plan the new operation; Foster flew to these meetings aboard Cauble Enterprises' private plane.On February 26, 1977, Foster, Gerdes, Cauble, and Ms. Fern Lynch flew from Denton to Houston; Cauble and Ms. Lynch deplaned in Houston and Cauble told the pilot to continue to Orange. On March 2, 1977, Foster flew to Thomasville to meet Hawkins and Gerdes. Gerdes gave Foster $250,000 cash for setting up the Texas operation.38 On March 4, Foster repaid his $31,000 debt to Cauble Enterprises.From March through May Cauble Enterprises loaned Foster $18,000. Cauble Enterprises also paid for Foster's travel to Houston on May 11-13, 1977. The proceeds of a loan made on May 11 were used to reimburse Hawkins for building a privacy fence at Sneed's Shipyard in Orange, Texas, where the MONKEY was to arrive.The MONKEY arrived in Orange on May 31, 1977. Foster had arranged for trucks and drivers39 to haul the load to the L.R. Ranch near Meridian, Texas. The L.R. Ranch is owned by Cauble Enterprises. Foster paid the ranch foreman to take a vacation and the smugglers used the ranch for approximately two weeks in distributing the marijuana.40Hawkins decided to move to Texas because smuggling was becoming more difficult in Florida and Georgia. He agreed to buy the Cherokee Ranch from Cauble Enterprises and paid Cauble $100,000 down, in cash, which Cauble agreed not to report on his income tax return.41 Hawkins also testified that he met Foster, Cauble, and Ms. Lynch in Cauble's bedroom three weeks after the MONKEY arrived and paid Foster $250,000 in Cauble's presence; Foster then gave Cauble the money.423. June 1977--May 1978: the BAYOU BLUESAfter he split with Gerdes, Hawkins set up his own marijuana smuggling venture. He bought the BAYOU BLUES through Martin Sneed, Sr.43 He and Foster used the Cauble Enterprises plane to set up the deal.44On September 12, 1977, Cauble flew to Las Vegas with Hawkins and others.45 Cauble arranged for Hawkins to launder $100,000 and, on his return to Denton, deposited the money in Hawkins' account at the Western State Bank.On May 2, 1978, the BAYOU BLUES arrived at Sneed's Shipyard in Orange, Texas. Foster became involved in transporting and storing the marijuana at the last minute when one of the trucks did not appear. The smugglers took the marijuana to the Crockett Ranch in Crockett, Texas, which is owned by Cauble Enterprises. The next day, however, Foster told Hawkins to get the truck off the ranch. Also on May 2, Foster flew to Tampa at Cauble Enterprises' expense to buy a small boat.On May 4, 1978, Cauble flew to Las Vegas. Foster had told Willis Butler, whom he owed $50,000, that Butler could have the money in old bills or "the old man can go to Las Vegas and clean it up for you." Butler received $50,000 in new $100 bills and later used some of them to pay his lawyer. Twenty-five of the bills had been delivered by the Federal Reserve Bank to the Valley Bank of Nevada on May 4, 1978.4. June 1977--April 1978: the JUBILEEWhile the BAYOU BLUES operation was underway, Gerdes' organization was also planning more smuggling ventures. On July 20, 1977, Gerdes, Foster, and others flew to Las Vegas aboard Cauble Enterprises' plane to launder money.46 Gerdes and others returned to Texas on July 26 and had breakfast with Cauble at Cauble's home; Cauble ordered the Cauble Enterprises pilot to fly Gerdes to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee.Gerdes' organization sought a new boat in October 1977. Foster was looking for a boat at the same time, allegedly to begin a shrimping business. Cauble called two boat brokers on October 5, 1977, seeking a shrimp boat, and later sent Foster to look at a boat in Aransas Pass, Texas. Gerdes' lieutenants bought the JUBILEE in November 1977, after meeting Foster while looking for a suitable boat.47The JUBILEE smugglers met in November 1977 at a Houston apartment leased by Cutter Bill's Western Wear, a business owned by Cauble Enterprises. In late 1977 Foster asked Cauble's lawyer's assistance in leasing a site suitable for a shrimping operation. The lawyer and Foster looked at several places and in January 1978 rented a site at High Island, Texas.48 Foster had a large metal structure built at the water's edge.On December 26, 1977, Foster flew aboard Cauble Enterprises' plane to Sarasota and picked up Gerdes. They then flew to Memphis and on to Houston; from there they boarded a commercial plane and flew to Las Vegas. On December 30 Cauble flew to Las Vegas. On January 1, 1978, Cauble delayed his party's takeoff from Las Vegas to converse with Gerdes at the airport.The JUBILEE arrived at High Island on January 27, 1978. Eight smugglers, including Gerdes, Foster, and three Cauble Enterprises' employees49 awaited the JUBILEE's arrival for a week at the Cutter Bill's apartment. The marijuana was unloaded and driven to the Crockett Ranch. Butler and Washington then took one truckload to the Mercer Ranch, near Fort Worth.50 Cauble Enterprises also owns the Mercer Ranch. The smugglers distributed the marijuana from the Crockett Ranch during the next two weeks.During February and March 1978, the Cauble Enterprises plane made three trips to Alcoa, Tennessee, near the home of John Ruppel.51 On March 21, 1978, Foster and Gerdes flew by commercial aircraft to Memphis and Cauble Enterprises paid their fare.On April 4, 1978, the JUBILEE arrived at High Island. For the week before its arrival the smugglers had again resided at the Cutter Bill's apartment. Butler and Washington again trucked the marijuana to the Crockett Ranch and the smugglers distributed it during the next two weeks.In April or May 1978 Larry Washington called Cauble to find out whether Foster had left Washington $5,000 due him from the second JUBILEE load. Washington asked whether Foster had left a package for him and Cauble said: "No. What was it?" Washington replied: "Money." Cauble told Washington to come to the ranch for the money. When he arrived, Cauble gave him a briefcase, which Washington had given to Foster, containing $5,000; Cauble asked Washington if it was a loan or if Foster owed him the money.5. June-November 1978: the AGNES PAULINEDuring June and July 1978, Foster flew to Tampa, Florida, Beaumont, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, at Cauble Enterprises' expense. Foster, Butler, Washington, and James Holland discussed smuggling another load of marijuana in August 1978.During August or September 1978, Cauble told Washington that Carlos had called to warn Cauble that Foster was talking too much and to say that he "didn't want to do any more business with" Foster. Cauble also warned Butler and Washington not to have any more dealings with Foster. Foster disappeared during August 1978.The AGNES PAULINE arrived in Port Arthur, Texas, on November 29, 1978. It was seized by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration.6. The Cash DepositsDuring late 1976 and early 1977, Cauble Enterprises was burdened with debt. The partnership lost money during each of the years involved here except 1978, in which it broke even. In January 1978 Cauble Enterprises' special account at Western State Bank was $100,000 overdrawn; it also showed a deficit balance on March 1, 1978.On April 8, 1978, Cauble flew to Las Vegas to play in the World Series of Poker. He lost his $10,000 entry fee but, when he returned to Texas, he told John Gray, Chairman of the Board of the Dallas International Bank, that he had won $260,000 in a side game and wanted it worked into his accounts at the bank.52 Gray suggested that Cauble take the money to "his own bank in Denton."53At Western State Bank, Cauble Enterprises was on a list of persons and businesses exempt from the requirement that all cash deposits exceeding $10,000 be reported to the Internal Revenue Service.54 Cauble Enterprises deposited $113,900 cash to its Western State Bank Special Account in April 1978; $182,000 cash in May, and $124,300 cash in June. Cash deposits in 1978 totaled more than $692,000; cash deposits in 1977 amounted to approximately $220,000; in 1976 cash deposits were $14,600.55D. Challenges to the Evidence1. The Predicate ActsCauble contends that the proof of the RICO predicate offenses was insufficient because the government failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he aided and abetted either the smuggling episodes or the acts of travel. In determining whether the evidence is sufficient, we inquire whether a reasonable juror might have been convinced of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.56To prove a person guilty of aiding and abetting, the government must show that the defendant associated himself with an unlawful venture, participated in it with the desire of accomplishing the illegal end, and sought by his actions to make it succeed.57 The defendant must intend to commit the offense and participate in some manner to aid its commission, but need only aid and abet, rather than commit, each element of the crime.58Cauble's brief states that the proof "nowhere discloses" that he was or could have been aware of any of the specific smuggling episodes or of the purpose of the airplane flights. This assertion is flatly contradicted by the record.Both Hawkins and Washington testified that, in their opinion, Cauble knew about the smuggling. McKesson testified that Foster told him that Cauble knew about the smuggling. Although this evidence was contradicted, a reasonable juror might have believed it.Furthermore, there was voluminous circumstantial evidence of Cauble's knowledge. This included several large loans to Foster from Cauble Enterprises, including one that was to be reloaned to Hawkins; Cauble's communications with Carlos Gerdes; his trips to Las Vegas; his paying for Foster to look for a boat; and his making significant changes in the business practices of Cauble Enterprises during the years in which the smuggling occurred.59 There was also repeated testimony that only Cauble could authorize the use of the airplane. One pilot was dismissed for flying the plane to have it cleaned without Cauble's permission. This testimony provided support for the possible inference that Cauble knew of the various uses of the plane.A reasonable jury might have concluded on the record evidence that Cauble knew of the drug-smuggling activities and knew the purpose of the acts of travel. Having reached the decision to reject Cauble's lack-of-knowledge defense, it might have concluded that Cauble was associated with, participating in, and seeking the success of a series of smuggling incidents. It might have decided that activities leading up to the ultimate acts of smuggling included the many acts of travel charged. In short, we are unable to say that a reasonable person would necessarily have entertained a reasonable doubt, after hearing the government's proof, that Cauble aided and abetted the acts of travel and the smuggling.2. The Enterprise ElementCauble argues that all of his RICO convictions must be set aside because the government failed to prove that he was in any way culpably connected with any enterprise. We treat this as a challenge to both the government's proof that there was a RICO enterprise and that there was a nexus between the enterprise, the racketeering activities, and Cauble.Cauble contends that the government's proof demonstrated only that the racketeering activities were committed by and related to an enterprise-in-fact, the "Cowboy Mafia." Thus, he suggests, the government failed to adduce sufficient evidence to show that Cauble Enterprises was the RICO enterprise.In Turkette, the Supreme Court held that the existence of an enterprise "is proved by evidence of an ongoing organization, formal or informal, and by evidence that the various associates function as a continuing unit."60 In cases in which the government charges that a legal entity is the enterprise, proof that the entity has a legal existence satisfies the enterprise element. This is because, by definition, a legal organization such as a partnership has an ascertainable structure, operates as a continuing unit, and has a purpose common to its members and employees.The government's proof demonstrated that Cauble Enterprises is a limited partnership organized under the laws of Texas. It proved that the partnership has a formal organization and has operated continuously since 1972 for the purpose of seeking maximum long-term appreciation of the partners' capital. It demonstrated that Cauble Enterprises is an entity different from both the person, Rex C. Cauble, and the pattern of racketeering activity it sought to punish. Having shown that this entity existed, the government met the burden of proving the enterprise element.613. "Conducting" the Enterprise's Affairs "Through" A Pattern of Racketeering ActivityCauble contends that the government's proof demonstrated a nexus between the smuggling activity and the "Cowboy Mafia," rather than Cauble Enterprises. Therefore, he contends, the evidence was insufficient to prove that he "conducted" Cauble Enterprises' affairs "through" acts of racketeering.Because we have concluded that a reasonable jury might have believed that Cauble aided and abetted the commission of the charged racketeering acts, we inquire whether his position in Cauble Enterprises facilitated the commission of the acts and whether the acts affected Cauble Enterprises. Based on the evidence, a reasonable jury might have concluded that none of the acts of travel would have occurred but for Cauble's ability to dispatch the Cauble Enterprises airplane and to use Cauble Enterprises' assets to pay for commercial flights. Furthermore, a jury might reasonably have concluded that Cauble's position in Cauble Enterprises made it possible for him to make available the funds for loans, the ranches, and the other assets of the enterprise that the smugglers used. Therefore, the government's proof was sufficient to satisfy the requirement that the defendant's position in the enterprise facilitated the commission of the racketeering acts.Finally, there is the question whether the racketeering acts affected the enterprise. In this case a reasonable juror might have concluded that the racketeering acts led directly to the successful smuggling ventures, which, in turn, led to the large cash deposits to Cauble Enterprises' account at Western State Bank. This is a sufficient effect to satisfy the test. We, therefore, conclude that the government successfully shouldered its burden of proving that Cauble conducted or participated in the conduct of the enterprise's affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity.624. The Conspiracy CountCauble was charged with conspiracy to conduct and participate in the conduct of Cauble Enterprises' affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity. He contends that his conviction under Sec. 1962(d) must be reversed because the government failed to prove that he "agreed to join an enterprise by means of committing two predicate acts."Our decisions establish that a Sec. 1962(d) conviction requires proof of the enterprise and racketeering elements plus the defendant's objective manifestation of intent to participate, either directly or indirectly, in the affairs of the enterprise.63 As we stated in Phillips, in order to prove a RICO conspiracy the government must prove "the additional element of agreement." 664 F.2d at 1012.64A reasonable jury might have concluded that Cauble agreed to conduct Cauble Enterprises' affairs through a pattern of racketeering activity. It might have believed the direct testimony of Hawkins and Washington that Cauble was involved in the smuggling and, therefore, concluded that Cauble agreed to commit or aid and abet the smuggling predicates.65 It might have believed the circumstantial evidence that Cauble used Cauble Enterprises' assets to loan money to the smugglers and to finance their travel and, therefore, that Cauble agreed to commit or aid and abet the acts of travel. It might also have believed the circumstantial evidence that Cauble was aware that other assets were being used to arrange marijuana smuggling deals, to provide a haven for the smugglers, and to store and distribute marijuana. The evidence is sufficient to support Cauble's conviction on the conspiracy count.5. The Investment CountCauble next contends that the evidence was insufficient to convict on the Sec. 1962(a) count. He contends that the government failed to prove that he gained "income" from a pattern of racketeering activity. He also maintains that the government failed to prove that particular funds invested in the enterprise were derived from a particular unlawful transaction in which he was culpably involved.Cauble argues that he derived no income because money advanced or loaned to the smugglers and later repaid was not "income." We need not decide the validity of this contention66 because a reasonable juror might have concluded that Cauble received "income" based on the substantial cash deposits to Cauble Enterprises' special account during 1977 and 1978.Cauble also argues that the government must do more to support a Sec. 1962(a) conviction than prove that the income was derived from a pattern of racketeering activity. He contends that RICO's legislative history demonstrates that Congress intended to require the government to "trace" illicitly-derived funds from a particular unlawful act to the enterprise.Cauble relies on the Justice Department's observation on a related bill that "tracing of funds known to be derived from racketeering activities to their eventual investment in a business enterprise [is required] in establishing a violation of subsection (a) of Section 1962."67 He also relies on a law review article by one of RICO's primary sponsors stating "only one of the three prohibitions in Title IX requires tracing of funds."68We do not impart to the word "tracing" as used in these statements the same precision as does Cauble. If the prosecution had demonstrated that Cauble made substantial, unexplained cash deposits into his personal account but not that the money was ever used in any way related to Cauble Enterprises, it would have failed to meet its burden of "tracing."69 But the prosecution need prove only that illegally derived funds flowed into the enterprise;70 it need not follow a trail of specific dollars from a particular criminal act.The government presented evidence of large cash deposits to Cauble Enterprises' account and of marijuana smuggling in which Cauble and Cauble Enterprises' employees played a role. The jury might reasonably have inferred that there was a sufficient nexus between the money and the enterprise to satisfy the "investment" requirement of Sec. 1962(a).71E. Jury InstructionsCauble challenges several of the court's instructions to the jury. Because his lawyers lodged no objection to the charge below, we review each of the allegedly defective instructions only for plain error.72 This means that we will not reverse unless the instruction is so clearly wrong that our failure to notice it would result in a miscarriage of justice or would seriously affect the integrity or public reputation of the judicial proceeding.73Cauble first claims that the trial judge erred in charging the jury on the enterprise element. He contends that the judge's instructions failed to make clear that the government was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Cauble Enterprises was the RICO enterprise whose affairs were conducted through a pattern of racketeering activity. This instruction, Cauble claims, amounted to a directed verdict of guilt on the enterprise element.74The trial judge defined "enterprise" by reading the statutory definition to the jury.75 He then stated:The "enterprise" charged in this case in Counts 1, 2 and 3 is Cauble Enterprises. Cauble Enterprises is a limited partnership formed pursuant to the laws of Texas with Rex C. Cauble as the sole general partner. Under the Texas Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as the general partner, Rex C. Cauble has the right to control and manage the affairs of Cauble Enterprises and is liable for all debts and obligations of Cauble Enterprises.The judge then instructed the jury on the three substantive RICO counts. He prefaced his charge on each count with the admonition that "the Government must prove each of the following essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt." Each charge included the enterprise element and in no charge did the judge tell the jurors that Cauble Enterprises was the RICO enterprise.76In short, the judge's instructions adequately conveyed to the jury the requirement that they conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Cauble Enterprises was the RICO enterprise. The judge told the jurors that the enterprise charged was Cauble Enterprises; he never told them that the RICO enterprise was Cauble Enterprises. The directive left the jury free to conclude that the government failed to prove that Cauble Enterprises was the RICO enterprise. Accordingly, it was not plainly erroneous.Cauble nevertheless argues that the trial judge's instruction on Count Three was wrong because it impermissibly combined the RICO enterprise and Cauble Enterprises.77 But this part of the instruction was merely a summary of the indictment and not a direction to the jury. As our previous discussion of the charge demonstrates, the trial judge made a distinction between Cauble Enterprises and the RICO enterprise in instructing the jury about the elements of the offense. There was no plain error here.Cauble next faults the district judge's failure to define the word "income" in the Sec. 1962(a) count instructions. He argues that the failure was particularly prejudicial because "fund sources were a critical issue at trial."This ingenious transition from sources of income to existence of income points up the weakness of Cauble's argument. The defense did not dispute at trial and does not dispute now that Cauble Enterprises' Special Account received substantial deposits of cash. It disputed whether the funds came from drug smuggling or cattle sales. The judge's failure to define this word of common usage and meaning did not fall to the level of plain error.78Cauble next challenges the trial judge's charge on the RICO predicates. He suggests that the judge's instruction that the jury could consider "any act" in violation of the Travel Act as an instance of racketeering activity impermissibly amended the indictment by allowing the jury to consider the Travel Act violations alleged in Counts Four, Nine, and Ten as RICO predicates even though they were not charged as such.79The trial judge should have made it clear to the jurors that only the predicate acts alleged in the RICO counts could support a RICO conviction.80 His failure to do so was not plain error, however, in view of his instruction to the jury that: "A separate crime or offense is charged against the Defendant in each count of the Indictment. Each offense and the evidence pertaining to it should be considered separately." We find no miscarriage of justice in the trial judge's failure to make explicit what was implicit.81Cauble finally assaults the judge's failure to instruct the jury that its verdict on the RICO predicates had to be unanimous. The judge stated that the government had to prove two acts of racketeering activity beyond a reasonable doubt, that it had to prove every essential element of each count beyond a reasonable doubt, and that the jury's verdict had to be unanimous.82 It might have been better practice to reinforce this by telling the jury that the jurors must be unanimous on each predicate, but had trial counsel made such a request the trial judge would have been able to consider it and likely would have granted it. When counsel sits idly by, the trial judge is not given the opportunity to reassess the charge. In the absence of objection, it was not necessary for the judge to elaborate this phase of the charge because he gave an express instruction that each juror had to agree to the verdict. No miscarriage of justice resulted from this omission.83II. The RICO ForfeitureA. BackgroundAmerican antipathy for the English common law's "forfeiture of estate," which disinherited those unfortunate enough to be kin to felons, dates from the founding of the nation.84 Criminal forfeiture has, therefore, been largely unknown in the United States.85Congress added the forfeiture provisions86 to RICO in order to attack the sources of economic power of organized crime87 in addition to removing from power and imprisoning those individuals who violate the statute. It viewed the sanctions and remedies against organized crime then available to the government as "unnecessarily limited in scope and impact."88 As enacted the forfeiture provisions are meant to reach "the illgotten gains of criminals where they enter or operate an organization through a pattern of racketeering activity."89B. Claims of ErrorAfter finding Cauble guilty on the RICO counts, the jury responded to special interrogatories regarding the forfeiture of his interest in Cauble Enterprises.90 Cauble now launches a barrage of attacks against the validity of the forfeiture.1. Due ProcessCauble first contends that the forfeiture violates the due process clause because it affects property rights of the limited partners of Cauble Enterprises, neither of whom were given notice of the forfeiture and an opportunity to be heard. He claims that the government may not partition the undivided partnership interest and remove the general partner without a finding against all owners that partnership property was used or acquired in violation of law.91Neither of the limited partners has sought to be heard in this case. Their remedy, as we made explicit in United States v. L'Hoste, 609 F.2d 796 (5th Cir.), cert. denied,Try vLex for FREE for 3 days
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