887 F.

2d 375

UNITED STATES of America, Appellee,

v.
Aart VANWORT, Walter Cabral, Jeanmarie Chapoteau,
Vincent
Cicali, Michael Crown, Alexander Donchenko, Bruce Duignan,
Daniel Dymenstein-Kremer, Richard Keim, Richard Hopkins,
Temistocles Moura-Torres, Claudio Petenucci, Gessi Prado,
Henrique Rajas, Anthony Ruotolo, Sergio Stofel-DeCastro,
Nahid Tabibi, Christianus Vanwort, Eduardo Varitzo, Michael
Zacharias, Pedro DaSilva, Alfred Donchenko, Alexander
Fontanelle, Steven M. Finn, Defendants.
Appeal of Jeanmarie CHAPOTEAU, Michael Crown, Pedro
DaSilva,
Steven M. Finn, Bruce Duignan, Vincent Cicali, Defendants.
Nos. 942-945, Docket 88-1221 to 88-1223 and 88-1227.

United States Court of Appeals,

Second Circuit.
Argued April 24, 1989.
Decided Sept. 26, 1989.

Erica Horwitz, New York City, for Chapoteau.

Anthony J. Falanga, Carle Place, N.Y., for Crown.
Brian W. Wice, Houston, Tex. (Don Ervin, Houston, Tex., of counsel), for
DaSilva.
Joseph J. Balliro, Boston, Mass. (Balliro, Mondano & Balliro, Boston,
Mass., of counsel), for Finn.
Nicholas M. De Feis, Asst. U.S. Atty., E.D.N.Y., Brooklyn, N.Y. (Andrew
J. Maloney, U.S. Atty., E.D.N.Y., David C. James, Asst. U.S. Atty.,
E.D.N.Y., Brooklyn, N.Y., of counsel), for appellee.

Before OAKES, Chief Judge, and WISDOM * and MESKILL, Circuit

Judges.
MESKILL, Circuit Judge:
Jeanmarie Chapoteau, Michael Crown, Pedro DaSilva and Steven M. Finn
appeal from judgments of conviction entered in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of New York, Dearie, J., following a
narcotics trial.1

Chapoteau was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to

distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 846, 841(b)(1)(A)(ii)(II)
(1982 & Supp. V 1987). He was also convicted of one substantive count each
of importing cocaine and attempting to possess cocaine with intent to distribute
it. 21 U.S.C. Secs. 952(a), 960(a)(1), 960(b)(1)(B), 846, 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)
(A)(ii) (1982 & Supp. V 1987) and 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2 (1982). Chapoteau
received a fifteen year term of imprisonment on the conspiracy count and three
years imprisonment on each of the two substantive counts. The sentences for
the substantive counts were to run concurrently with each other and
consecutively to the fifteen year conspiracy sentence. In addition to the prison
terms, Chapoteau was assessed three concurrent $200,000 fines and ordered to
pay a special assessment of $150.

Michael Crown was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and

possess with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 846 and
841(b)(1)(A)(ii)(II). Crown was sentenced to four years imprisonment and
ordered to pay a $50 special assessment.

Pedro DaSilva was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent
to distribute cocaine and one substantive count each of importing cocaine and
possessing cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs.
952(a), 960(a)(1), 960(b)(1), 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A)(ii)(II), 846 and 18 U.S.C.
Sec. 2. He received concurrent sentences of fifteen years imprisonment on the
conspiracy, importation and possession counts. DaSilva also received two
concurrent five year special parole terms and was fined $25,000 for each of the
substantive importation and possession counts, such fines to run consecutively
for a total fine in the amount of $50,000. Additionally, DaSilva was ordered to
pay a $150 special assessment.

Steven M. Finn was convicted of one count of conspiracy to distribute and

possess with intent to distribute cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. Secs. 846 and

841(b)(1)(A)(ii)(II). Finn received a suspended eight year term of

imprisonment and was placed on five years probation. He was fined $750,000
and ordered to pay a special assessment in the amount of $50.
5

On appeal, the parties raise several challenges to their convictions. Chapoteau,

DaSilva, Crown and Finn assert that the evidence established multiple
conspiracies rather than the single conspiracy of which they were convicted.
Chapoteau argues that there was inadequate evidence to convict him of the two
substantive offenses of which he was convicted. Crown, DaSilva and Finn
contest the sufficiency of the evidence to convict them of the conspiracy count.
In addition, Crown contends that the government improperly used a grand jury
subpoena to obtain the trial testimony of Brian Rockett. Finn claims that the
district court erred in admitting into evidence a computer printout listing his
name, address and telephone number.

Oral argument in this case was heard on April 24, 1989. Subsequent to oral
argument, the United States Supreme Court decided Gomez v. United States, --U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 2237, 104 L.Ed.2d 923 (1989), which reversed our earlier
decision in United States v. Garcia, 848 F.2d 1324 (2d Cir.1988). Gomez
involved a situation in which the criminal defendants objected to the delegation
of jury selection to a magistrate. In Gomez, the Supreme Court held that federal
magistrates were not authorized under the Federal Magistrates Act, 28 U.S.C.
Sec. 631 (1982 & Supp. V 1987), to conduct jury selection in a felony trial. The
Court held that in a felony case criminal defendants have a "right to have all
critical stages of a criminal trial conducted by a person with jurisdiction to
preside [over the entire proceeding]. Thus, harmless-error analysis does not
apply in a felony case in which, despite the defendant's objection and without
any meaningful review by a district judge, [a magistrate] exceeds his
jurisdiction by selecting a jury." Gomez, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. at 2239. In the
instant case, the jury was also selected by a magistrate. After oral argument,
and in light of the Supreme Court's decision in Gomez, the parties sought and
were granted permission to file supplemental briefs and appendices and to
include additional documents in the record on appeal pursuant to Fed.R.App.P.
10(e). Appellants now contend that Gomez requires reversal of their
convictions. For the reasons stated infra, we disagree.

We find all of the appellants' contentions to be without merit. We therefore

affirm the appellants' convictions.

BACKGROUND
A. Overview

Chapoteau, Crown, DaSilva and Finn, along with numerous others, were
charged with participating in a conspiracy to import, possess and distribute
large quantities of cocaine from Brazil by using the facilities and employees of
Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) and Varig Airlines (Varig) over an
eight year period. Under one method of importation, Brazilian suppliers would
conceal the cocaine in suitcases or packages and relinquish the suitcases or
packages to Brazilian airline employees for shipment to John F. Kennedy
International Airport (JFK) in New York as unaccompanied luggage. The
Brazilian exporters would telephone one of their contacts at JFK and give the
contact a code for the baggage claim number of the package containing the
cocaine. Upon arrival at JFK, an employee of either Pan Am or Varig,
depending on which airline was used for that particular transaction, would
intercept and deliver the cocaine. According to a second method of importation,
individuals would carry luggage containing cocaine to New York and
employees of either Varig or Pan Am would assist them in avoiding detection
by United States Customs Service (Customs) officials. The participants at both
Pan Am and Varig received $5,000 per kilogram for their efforts.

Evidence at trial showed that Chapoteau introduced Aart Vanwort to the drug
importation business and for a time supervised the operations at Pan Am before
Vanwort became the central figure in the conspiracy. The other appellants' roles
in the conspiracy are similarly well defined. DaSilva was the supervisor of the
drug smuggling activities at Varig. He obtained his supply of cocaine from the
same Brazilian sources as did Chapoteau and Vanwort. The evidence at trial
established that Crown, a former employee of Pan Am, received and distributed
substantial amounts of cocaine. Finn concedes that he purchased cocaine from
various importers.

10

We will elaborate on the operation of the conspiracy and the inter-relationship

of its various participants.

B. Chapoteau, Vanwort and Pan Am

11

Aart Vanwort testified as a government witness at trial. His testimony

established that between 1980 and 1987 he was involved in importing cocaine
from Brazil to JFK on approximately twenty occasions. He further testified that
Chapoteau first requested his assistance in the importation of cocaine in the
summer of 1980. At that time, both Chapoteau and Vanwort were employees of
Pan Am at JFK. Chapoteau requested Vanwort's assistance in clearing four
boxes, which had been imported from Brazil, through Customs inspection.
Chapoteau informed Vanwort that he did not want the boxes to be inspected.
However, a Customs inspector did examine two of the boxes. Even though the

boxes did contain cocaine, the Customs inspector found only coffee. The boxes
were stamped "cleared" and Vanwort and Chapoteau transported them out of
the Customs inspection area. Chapoteau then informed Vanwort that the boxes
contained cocaine from Brazil and paid Vanwort $5,000 for his assistance.
Chapoteau requested Vanwort's assistance on several subsequent occasions, but
Vanwort was unavailable. Despite his unavailability, Chapoteau paid Vanwort,
assuring him that they were "partners." Vanwort had no involvement in
importing cocaine with Chapoteau after September 1980.
12

In December 1980, Chapoteau introduced Vanwort to Sergio Alcantara.

According to Vanwort's testimony, Alcantara stated that "he d[id]n't like to
really work with Chapoteau anymore and had great interest in working with
[Vanwort]." Vanwort subsequently agreed to meet with Alcantara and Eduardo
Varitzo. At that meeting, Vanwort was accompanied by Ivory Hobson.
Alcantara and Varitzo indicated their desire to use Vanwort in the importation
scheme. Vanwort testified that his and Hobson's first importation of cocaine for
Alcantara and Varitzo occurred in the latter part of 1981. Alcantara called
Vanwort from Brazil and told him that he had "a new telephone number." The
number was actually the baggage claim number of a suitcase containing
cocaine that Alcantara had placed on a Pan Am flight bound for JFK. Vanwort
contacted Hobson, who retrieved the suitcase and took it past the Customs
inspection area. Vanwort later delivered the suitcase to Alcantara. Vanwort and
Hobson thereafter had several disputes, and Vanwort turned to Vincent Cicali
for help. Vanwort and Cicali worked together importing cocaine during 1982.

13

Vanwort met several of the key Brazilians who were involved in the drug
operation during a trip to Brazil in 1982. While there, he met Pan Am employee
Walter Cabral, who assisted in loading packages of cocaine for transport to the
United States. Cabral testified that he assisted in numerous importations
involving both Chapoteau and Vanwort. Also in 1982, Vanwort met Molina, the
Brazilian who was the source of the cocaine. Molina had been using Alcantara
and Varitzo to import cocaine, but became dissatisfied because of the high price
he had to pay for their assistance. He asked Vanwort to work directly for him,
and Vanwort agreed.

14

On one occasion, one of the bags containing cocaine that Molina was supposed
to export for Vanwort arrived late. When the bag finally arrived, Cicali and
Vanwort took it to a New York City hotel room where they inspected it and
found that approximately four kilograms of cocaine were missing. The bag was
eventually retrieved by Hobson, who delivered it to Vanwort's custody. In a
tape-recorded conversation between Chapoteau and Hobson, Chapoteau
indicated that he believed this incident reflected poorly on him because he had

introduced Vanwort to the business. Chapoteau also expressed his suspicion

that Vanwort had stolen the cocaine.
C. The Varig Operation
15

Pedro DaSilva was Vanwort's "counterpart" at Varig. According to Vanwort's

testimony, Alcantara made several references to a "Pedro" who worked at Varig
and was involved in similar cocaine transactions. Alexander Fontenelle pled
guilty and testified pursuant to a plea agreement. Fontenelle testified that both
he and Carlos Villela were involved in importing cocaine from Brazil via Varig
and DaSilva. On one occasion when Fontenelle wished to import cocaine, he
contacted Villela who contacted DaSilva. DaSilva then aided Fontenelle in
getting the cocaine into New York. In addition, other drug dealers with whom
Fontenelle was involved in Brazil told him that they sent cocaine through
DaSilva. Fontenelle further testified that on several occasions, he sold large
quantities (over one kilogram) of imported cocaine to Steven M. Finn in
Boston, Massachusetts. Villela testified that he had used DaSilva's services in
importing cocaine several times earlier in 1982. Villela also testified that
DaSilva introduced him to Rubens DaCosta, a Varig employee who
subsequently became involved in the distribution of cocaine.

D. Michael Zacharias
16

In 1982, Michael Zacharias met with Vanwort to discuss Vanwort's working for
Zacharias in the drug importing business. At trial, Vanwort described Zacharias
as a "broker" who could use his many contacts to arrange the transportation of
cocaine from Brazil to New York. Zacharias orchestrated an importation
scheme in May 1983 using Pan Am and Vanwort. Vanwort collected a bag
containing cocaine from Zacharias in Rio de Janeiro, and gave it to Cabral.
Cabral then saw to it that the bag was on the same flight that Vanwort and
Hobson took back to New York. Vanwort received the cocaine in New York
from Cicali, who brought it to him in a parking lot. Vanwort then delivered it to
Fontenelle and one Mario Rocha. Rocha had been identified by Zacharias as the
source of the cocaine. Fontenelle subsequently sold some of the cocaine to
Finn. In another transaction shortly thereafter Zacharias also acted as a broker.
That transaction involved the importation of cocaine by Vanwort, Hobson,
Cicali, Duignan, Fontenelle and Finn. In this transaction, Fontenelle sold 2.5
kilograms of the cocaine and stored another one-half kilogram at Finn's home
in Boston. Finn subsequently purchased one-half of the remainder.

E. Problems with the Varig Operation

17

Although Villela had been dealing with DaSilva at Varig, in the fall of 1983 he

17

Although Villela had been dealing with DaSilva at Varig, in the fall of 1983 he
encountered some difficulty reaching DaSilva on several occasions when he
wished to schedule a drug transaction. Mario Rocha informed Villela that
Vanwort at Pan Am would be able to accommodate him. Consequently, several
transactions were arranged and completed in which Villela used Vanwort and
Pan Am.

18

DaSilva was forced to curtail his operations at Varig because of the December
1983 arrest of two Brazilian women at JFK possessing two kilograms of
cocaine and DaSilva's business card. To escape possible detection and arrest,
DaSilva left New York and settled in Miami, Florida.

19

Villela testified that DaSilva informed him that he had a "partner" at Pan Am
who could help "if he--Pedro, ... [could not] do the job." Thus, Pan Am became
the main importation route.

F. The Chapoteau Tapes

20

On January 21, 1986, in an incident unrelated to the conspiracy, Ivory Hobson,

a former participant in the conspiracy, was arrested and charged with
possession of cocaine. Hobson agreed to cooperate with Drug Enforcement
Agency (DEA) officials, disclosed his participation in the conspiracy, and
agreed to approach his former co-conspirators. A March 28, 1986 conversation
between Ivory Hobson and Chapoteau depicting the operation of the conspiracy
was tape recorded and the tape was introduced into evidence at the trial. During
the conversation, Chapoteau stated several times that he was the one who
introduced Aart Vanwort into the business. Regarding the distribution chain,
Chapoteau recounted that "Molina is the ... man who gives to Michael
[Zacharias], who gives to Sergio [Alcantara], who gives to ... Eduardo
[Varitzo] and everybody." Several other taped conversations between
Chapoteau and Hobson further illustrate the operation of the conspiracy and the
complicity of the appellants.

G. The Last Importations

21

In December 1986 and January 1987, Vanwort entered into negotiations with
Claudio Petenucci, a Brazilian cocaine manufacturer and distributor,
concerning the importation of cocaine for Petenucci. On February 7 and 28,
1987, Vanwort, his brother Christianus, Cicali and Duignan conducted what
would be the last of the importations using Pan Am.

H. The Arrests

22

Aart and Christianus Vanwort were arrested on March 2, 1987 in a New York
City hotel. Police seized approximately $85,000 in cash and one ounce of
cocaine from Vanwort's hotel room safe. A search of Vanwort's safe deposit
box at the Zurich Deposit Box Corporation under the alias of "Tony Stolk"
yielded an additional $295,000. The other defendants were arrested over the
following few days. When Chapoteau was arrested, a search of his residence
produced telephone numbers for Cicali, Zacharias and a Brazilian cocaine
dealer named "Tony." When arrested, DaSilva had in his possession an unused
Varig airline ticket for "Mar[ ]io Rocha," an uncashed check from Carlos
Villela and the telephone numbers of various cocaine traffickers. Cicali's safe
deposit box, listed under the alias "V. Leone" turned up $32,000 in cash and
evidence of $35,000 in loans that were owed to him.

23

Finn was arrested in Boston after discussing with an undercover agent the
possibility of starting a cocaine "franchise" in Boston and attempting to collect
part of the debt that Fontenelle owed him.

24

Chapoteau, Crown, DaSilva, Finn and several others were named in a

Superseding Indictment2 and charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess
with intent to distribute large quantities of cocaine. DaSilva and Chapoteau
were also charged with substantive counts of importation and possession with
intent to distribute large amounts of cocaine.

I. District Court Proceedings

25

Appellants were tried in a joint trial which lasted eight weeks. Each appellant
made several motions for a severance pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 14. They
argued that several conspiracies existed, rather than the one conspiracy charged
in the indictment and that if a severance were not granted, they would be
prejudiced by the spillover of evidence. The district court denied these motions
and proceeded to try the defendants in one trial.

26

After the government and the parties rested their cases, the district court
instructed the jury that to convict the defendants of the conspiracy charged in
Count One of the Superseding Indictment, they had to find that a single
conspiracy, rather than multiple conspiracies, existed. The district court
specifically stated that "[p]roof of several separate and independent
conspiracies is not proof of the single overall conspiracy charged in the
indictment." The district court went on to describe the differences between a
single conspiracy and multiple conspiracies and to specify what evidence would
be required to find a single conspiracy. The jury found that one conspiracy

existed and the appellants were convicted of all of the charges against them
found in the Superseding Indictment.
27

Appellants now appeal their convictions, contending, inter alia, that the district
court erred in not granting their motions for severance, that they were
prejudiced by the spillover effect of evidence introduced only against some
defendants and that the evidence established several conspiracies rather than
the one charged. Chapoteau contends that the evidence was insufficient to
convict him of the two substantive offenses with which he was charged. Crown,
DaSilva and Finn challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to convict them of
the conspiracy count. Crown also claims that the government improperly used a
grand jury subpoena to obtain the trial testimony of Brian Rockett. Finn argues
that the district court erred in admitting a computer printout from a disk found
in Petenucci's office listing his name, address and telephone number. For the
following reasons, we disagree with all the appellants' arguments and affirm
their convictions.

DISCUSSION
28

We first address appellants' argument that their convictions should be reversed

because jury selection was conducted by a federal magistrate, not an Article III
judge having jurisdiction to preside over the entire proceeding. We recently
addressed the same issue in United States v. Wong, 884 F.2d 1537 (2d Cir.
1989), petition for rehearing denied, id. at 1544. In denying Wong's petition for
rehearing, we determined that Gomez did not require a reversal because Wong
had consented to the magistrate's conduct of the voir dire.3 In analyzing
Gomez, we noted that the Supreme Court "limited its ruling to the situation in
which a magistrate selects a jury 'despite the defendant's objection.' " Wong, id.
at 1545 (quoting Gomez, --- U.S. at ----, 109 S.Ct. at 2239). We also observed
that in Gomez, "[t]he Court introduced its opinion ... with the statement that
'[t]he principal question presented is whether [a magistrate's] presiding at the
selection of a jury in a felony trial without the defendant's consent ' is
authorized by the Federal Magistrates Act." Id. (emphasis added by Wong
panel) (quoting Gomez, --- U.S. at ----, 109 S.Ct. at 2240). We denied Wong's
petition for rehearing, concluding that because he had not only failed to object
but had explicitly consented to the magistrate's selection of the jury, reversal
was not required. Id. Similarly, in this case, there was no objection to the
magistrate's selecting the jury. Given this failure to object, we conclude that
jury selection by the magistrate does not necessitate the reversal of the
appellants' convictions here. Id. We now address the appellants' other
arguments.

29

Appellants' arguments that the evidence proved multiple conspiracies rather

than a single conspiracy and that their motions for severance should have been
granted are virtually identical. We find these arguments to be meritless.

A. Single v. Multiple Conspiracies

30

" 'Whether the evidence in a case establishes single or multiple conspiracies is a

question of fact to be resolved by a properly instructed jury.' " United States v.
Nerlinger, 862 F.2d 967, 972 (2d Cir.1988) (quoting United States v. Friedman,
854 F.2d 535, 561 (2d Cir.1988), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 1637, 104
L.Ed.2d 153 (1989)). Appellants do not challenge the propriety of the jury
instructions, but contend that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's
finding of a single conspiracy. In assessing the sufficiency of the government's
evidence, " 'we must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the
government, ... and construe all permissible inferences in its favor.' " United
States v. Heinemann, 801 F.2d 86, 91 (2d Cir.1986) (quoting United States v.
Carson, 702 F.2d 351, 361 (2d Cir.) (citations omitted), cert. denied, 462 U.S.
1108, 103 S.Ct. 2457, 77 L.Ed.2d 1335 (1983)), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1094,
107 S.Ct. 1308, 94 L.Ed.2d 163 (1987). We hold that the evidence was
sufficient to support the jury's finding.

31

A single conspiracy may be found where there is " 'mutual dependence and
assistance' among the [participants], a common aim or purpose ... or a
permissible inference, from the nature and scope of the operation, that each
actor was aware of his part in a larger organization where others performed
similar roles equally important to the success of the venture." United States v.
Bertolotti, 529 F.2d 149, 154 (2d Cir.1975) (citation omitted) (quoting United
States v. Tramunti, 513 F.2d 1087, 1106 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 832,
96 S.Ct. 54, 46 L.Ed.2d 50 (1975)). All that needs to be proved is that " 'it
reasonably could be inferred that [the appellants] participated in the alleged
enterprise with a consciousness of its general nature and extent.' " United States
v. Rooney, 866 F.2d 28, 32 (2d Cir.1989) (quoting United States v. Alessi, 638
F.2d 466, 473 (2d Cir.1980)). The members of the conspiracy do not have to
"conspire directly with every other member of it, or be aware of all acts
committed in furtherance of the conspiracy, or even know every other
member." Id. (citations omitted). There is no requirement that the same people
be involved throughout the duration of the conspiracy. See id. Furthermore, "a
single conspiracy is not transposed into a multiple one simply by lapse of time,
change in membership, or a shifting emphasis in its locale of operations."
United States v. Cambindo Valencia, 609 F.2d 603, 625 (2d Cir.1979),
modified on rehearing, 609 F.2d 603, 641 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 446 U.S. 940,
100 S.Ct. 2163, 64 L.Ed.2d 795 (1980).

32

In the present case, the evidence indicated " 'mutual dependence and
assistance.' " Bertolotti, 529 F.2d at 154 (quoting Tramunti, 513 F.2d at 1106).
Chapoteau was responsible for Vanwort's introduction to the cocaine
importation world. The two ultimately operated separate "businesses;"
however, such shifts are not uncommon in long-lasting conspiracies. See
Heinemann, 801 F.2d at 92. Chapoteau and Vanwort shared the same sources
in Brazil. There was also some overlap in personnel, such as Cabral in Brazil
and Vincent Cicali in New York City. Chapoteau and Vanwort may not have
worked together, but they did cooperate with each other in what seemed to be
an open working relationship. (E.g., Chapoteau's statement: "You do business
with him, fine. You come next time you do business with me, fine.") Also, as
indicated supra, DaSilva had a "partner" at Pan Am. Presumably, this partner
was Chapoteau. Thus there was ample evidence of mutual dependence and
assistance.

33

Regarding the "common aim or purpose," Bertolotti, 529 F.2d at 154, the facts
established at trial proved the existence of one conspiracy in which cocaine was
transported from Brazil to the United States via JFK using employees of both
Pan Am and Varig and distributed to various sources in the United States. The
Brazilian traffickers used the two spheres interchangeably. Chapoteau, Vanwort
and DaSilva performed the same services using the same methods for the same
group of Brazilian exporters: Molina, Zacharias, Alcantara, Varitzo and
Petenucci. See supra. The participants thus shared "a common aim or purpose,"
Bertolotti, 529 F.2d at 154, of importing the Brazilian cocaine.

34

Although the operations at Pan Am and at Varig were physically separate and
were staffed by different people, each member was "aware of his part in a
larger organization." Id. Chapoteau introduced Vanwort to the importation
scheme and was aware of Vanwort's continuing importation activities. The
members of each group were well aware of the existence of others who were
involved in the same operation. In fact, as previously noted, DaSilva considered
Vanwort to be his counterpart at Pan Am. The American distributors--Finn and
Crown--were also aware that the cocaine they obtained was imported via the
airport operations. See infra.

35

In sum, the evidence was more than sufficient to support the jury's finding that
a single conspiracy existed.

B. Joint Trial
36

As shown supra, there was sufficient evidence to show that the defendants were
involved in a single conspiracy. The conspiracy count therefore was "non-

frivolous" and joinder under Fed.R.Crim.P. 8(b) was proper. Nerlinger, 862
F.2d at 973. The evidence shows that all the parties were involved, albeit at
various times and to varying degrees, in the same plan to import and distribute
cocaine. Hence, judicial economy was served by the joinder. See id.
37

Rule 14 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure enables a district court to

grant a severance of defendants if it appears that a defendant will be prejudiced
by a joinder. "Motions to sever under Rule 14 are committed to the sound
discretion of the trial judge, and a denial of such a motion will be reversed only
upon a showing of clear abuse of that discretion." United States v. Chang AnLo, 851 F.2d 547, 556 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 109 S.Ct. 493, 102
L.Ed.2d 530 (1988). To overturn a denial of a motion to sever, " '[t]he burden is
upon a moving defendant to show facts demonstrating that he will be so
severely prejudiced by a joint trial that it would in effect deny him a fair trial.
The defendant must demonstrate that he suffered such prejudice as a result of
the joinder.' " United States v. Burke, 700 F.2d 70, 83 (2d Cir.) (quoting United
States v. Rucker, 586 F.2d 899, 902 (2d Cir.1978)), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 816,
104 S.Ct. 72, 78 L.Ed.2d 85 (1983). There being ample evidence of a single
conspiracy, we find no abuse of discretion here in the district court's denial of
the appellants' motions to sever.

38

Appellants claim that they were prejudiced by the spillover of evidence

concerning the other defendants in the trial and that such evidence would not
have been admitted in a separate trial. "A defendant raising a claim of
prejudicial spillover bears an extremely heavy burden." Friedman, 854 F.2d at
563. A defendant raising such a claim "must show that he or she suffered
prejudice so substantial as to amount to a 'miscarriage of justice.' " Id. (quoting
United States v. Bari, 750 F.2d 1169, 1177 (2d Cir.1984), cert. denied, 472
U.S. 1019, 105 S.Ct. 3482, 87 L.Ed.2d 617 (1985)). Appellants fail to carry that
burden here.

39

The proof against Chapoteau, both from his own tape-recorded admissions and
from the testimony of others, conclusively established his involvement in the
conspiracy. The evidence regarding DaSilva's participation was overwhelming.
DaSilva was the focus of much of the trial testimony of Vanwort, Hobson,
Fontenelle and Villela. This evidence could have been elicited at a separate
trial, however it was more judicially efficient to hold one trial of the several
defendants. DaSilva's prejudicial spillover argument thus must fail. As will be
shown infra, there was more than enough independent evidence of both
Crown's and Finn's complicity to link them to the conspiracy. Likewise, their
claims of prejudice are fatally flawed.

C. Sufficiency of the Evidence

40

The appellants all challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support their
convictions. In this regard, we note our recent reiteration that when a defendant
is challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, "a verdict 'must be sustained if
there is substantial evidence ... to support it.' " United States v. Zabare, 871
F.2d 282, 286 (2d Cir.1989) (quoting Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80,
62 S.Ct. 457, 469, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942)). A reviewing court must view the
evidence " 'in the light most favorable to the government,' and ... draw all
reasonable inferences and resolve all issues of credibility in favor of the
verdict." Id. (quoting United States v. Martino, 759 F.2d 998, 1002 (2d
Cir.1985)). Convictions must be upheld if "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).
The evidence here was sufficient to support all the convictions.

D. Individual Appellant's Arguments

1. Jeanmarie Chapoteau
41

Chapoteau contends that the evidence showed multiple conspiracies rather than
a single conspiracy. As shown supra, this contention must fail. Chapoteau
argues additionally that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction
on the substantive counts of importation and attempting to possess cocaine with
the intent to distribute it. This argument also lacks merit.

42

DEA Special Agent Peter Mitesser testified that he participated in a May 5,

1986 seizure of thirty kilograms of cocaine that had arrived at JFK on a Pan
Am flight that originated in Brazil. According to Chapoteau's own admissions
in the March 28 taped conversation with Hobson, he had recently been to Brazil
and met with Zacharias concerning an impending importation of cocaine. The
tape-recorded conversations also revealed that Zacharias and Chapoteau were
maintaining their business relationship in 1986. A May 26, 1986 recorded
conversation between Chapoteau and Hobson illustrated that Chapoteau was
familiar with the details of the importation, seizure and Zacharias' role as the
source of the cocaine. Also, Chapoteau was working at the airport on the day of
the importation. When Chapoteau was arrested, he possessed Zacharias' phone
number. These facts support a conclusion that Chapoteau was the likely channel
through which Zacharias would import drugs into JFK.

43

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, there was

sufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict that Chapoteau was guilty of the
substantive counts of importation and attempting to possess cocaine with the
intent to distribute it. We therefore uphold his conviction on those counts.
2. Michael Crown
a. Sufficiency of Evidence
44
45

Crown contends that the district court erred in denying his motion for judgment
of acquittal in view of the prosecution's failure to present sufficient evidence of
his involvement in the conspiracy. This contention is meritless.

46

Crown's concessions are sufficient to support his conspiracy conviction. He

acknowledges that, when the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to
the government, he was "chargeable with knowing that Vanwort was involved
in smuggling drugs and with the receipt of some cocaine from Vanwort on a
total of three occasions which cocaine [he] in turn sold to ... Brian Rockett."
(citations omitted). He also states that "[b]ased on Rockett's testimony [he] is
chargeable with having at least a general awareness that Brazil was the source
of the drugs and that the contraband was getting through customs via Pan Am
Airways at Kennedy Airport."

47

Rockett's testimony is replete with examples of Crown's selling cocaine to him

over several years. The record also indicates that Crown explained the
workings of the importation scheme to Rockett and suggested that he (Rockett)
could become involved if he so desired. The evidence also indicates that Crown
helped facilitate a deal in which Vanwort sold some cocaine that originated
from Claudio Petenucci to one Richard Keim. Additionally, there is evidence
that Crown agreed to help Vanwort transport some of his illegally gained
profits to Europe.

48

A court authorized wiretap was installed on Crown's home telephone. Tapes of

conversations indicated that Crown was about to relinquish a safe deposit box
that he had been maintaining under an assumed name. The safe deposit box was
at the same location at which Cicali and Vanwort maintained boxes. The tapes
also revealed that Crown was reluctant to talk on the telephone for fear that the
scheme would be uncovered.

49

Evidence must be viewed as a whole rather than in isolation and on appellate

review all reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the prosecution.
United States v. Khan, 787 F.2d 28, 34 (2d Cir.1986); United States v. Young,

745 F.2d 733, 762 (2d Cir.1984), cert. denied, 470 U.S. 1084, 105 S.Ct. 1842,
85 L.Ed.2d 142 (1985). In addition, we have noted that " 'once a conspiracy is
shown, only slight evidence is needed to link another defendant with it.' "
United States v. Wilkinson, 754 F.2d 1427, 1436 (2d Cir.) (quoting United
States v. Marrapese, 486 F.2d 918, 921 (2d Cir.1973), cert. denied, 415 U.S.
994, 94 S.Ct. 1597, 39 L.Ed.2d 891 (1974)), cert. denied, 472 U.S. 1019, 105
S.Ct. 3482, 87 L.Ed.2d 617 (1985). Viewing all the evidence of Crown's
involvement in the conspiracy, it was sufficient to support the jury's verdict.
50

Confronted with this evidence, Crown claims that his role was too minor to
justify the conspiracy conviction. This argument is untenable. The size of a
defendant's role does not determine whether that person may be convicted of
conspiracy charges. Rather, what is important is whether the defendant
willfully participated in the activities of the conspiracy with knowledge of its
illegal ends. See Rooney, 866 F.2d at 32; Alessi, 638 F.2d at 473. That Crown
only received cocaine from Vanwort on three occasions and characterized
himself as "a minor, bit player" who received "leftover" cocaine is of no
significance. In Zabare, we restated our position that "a defendant's
participation in a single transaction can suffice to sustain a charge of knowing
participation in an existing conspiracy." Zabare, 871 F.2d at 287. Hence, if a
single transaction can justify a conspiracy conviction, there is no doubt that
evidence of three transactions constitutes more than ample proof of
involvement in a conspiracy. Accordingly, in light of the foregoing, we hold
that Crown's conviction on the conspiracy count must stand.

b. Use of Grand Jury Subpeona to Obtain Rockett's Testimony

51
52

Crown alleges that the prosecutor improperly issued a grand jury subpoena to
obtain the trial testimony of Brian Rockett and that he was so prejudiced by this
that his conviction must be overturned. We disagree.

53

The district court requested that the government "submit [its] appropriate
affidavits" to show that its use of the grand jury subpoena was proper. The
government's affidavit stated that it was seeking Rockett "to elicit specific dates
concerning Michael Crown's receipt of 1/2 kilo and kilo quantities of cocaine
from Aart Vanwort on a number of occasions." The government "hoped to add
substantive 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841 counts against Crown in a superseding
indictment, as [it] had done with every other defendant in this case, except for
Steven Finn." The affidavit stated that in November 1987, the government
authorized the issuance of a grand jury subpoena to obtain Rockett's testimony.
The subpoena issued had a return date of January 15, 1988. Rockett's
whereabouts were not determined until early January 1988. The subpoena was

at that time left with Rockett's fiancee. Because of Rockett's unavailability on

January 15, the return date was adjourned for several days. On approximately
January 14, 1988, Rockett voluntarily visited the Assistant United States
Attorney's (AUSA) office. During that visit, he did not mention the grand jury
subpoena. The government's affidavit also recounted Rockett's statement that
his fiancee had not been served with the subpoena. The government's affidavit
also stated that the government was unable to produce a copy of the subpoena.
The government noted the impracticality of seeking a superseding indictment
due to Rockett's limited ability to provide precise dates of his narcotics
involvement with Crown and the imminence of the trial by the time Rockett
had been located. The government never presented Rockett's testimony to the
grand jury.
54

It is clearly " 'improper to utilize a Grand Jury for the sole or dominating
purpose of preparing an already pending indictment for trial.' " Payden v.
United States (In re Grand Jury Subpoena Duces Tecum Dated January 2, 1985
(Simels) ), 767 F.2d 26, 29 (2d Cir.1985) (quoting United States v. Dardi, 330
F.2d 316, 336 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 845, 869, 85 S.Ct. 50, 51, 117,
13 L.Ed.2d 50, 73 (1964)). There was no improper use of the grand jury
subpoena in the instant case. The government's reason for directing the
issuance of the subpoena was a valid one. The subpoena was authorized in
November 1987, prior to the return of the last superseding indictment in
December 1987. Additionally, Crown was not arraigned on the last superseding
indictment until January 28, 1988, which was after the original return date of
the subpoena. Thus, there is no justification for an argument that the subpoena
was used to prepare an already pending case for trial.

55

Service of the grand jury subpoena in no way prejudiced Crown. As previously

noted, Rockett never testified before a grand jury. Rockett's decision to
cooperate with the government and to testify at trial was more likely prompted
by his own self-interest. The process of arresting the conspirators had begun;
Rockett's fiancee had told an East Hampton, New York police officer about
Rockett's involvement with Crown; and there was a chance that Crown would
give testimony implicating Rockett. On cross-examination, Rockett admitted
that when he went to the AUSA's office "I had determined at that point that I
felt there was enough against me as to what had transpired, what had been said
that I was going to cooperate and not push it any further."

56

The record indicates no evidence of an abuse of the grand jury process. The
subpoena was issued for a proper purpose. Rockett's testimony did not unduly
prejudice Crown. There was sufficient evidence of Crown's participation in the
conspiracy to convict him on the conspiracy count. Accordingly, his conviction

on the conspiracy count must be upheld.

3. Pedro DaSilva
57

DaSilva contends that there were at least two separate conspiracies involving
the importation of cocaine into the United States from Brazil via the employees
of Pan Am and Varig. As noted supra, the evidence was sufficient to support a
finding of a single conspiracy. Based on, among other things, the reported
testimony of Carlos Villela, the jury found that DaSilva had participated in the
single conspiracy.

58

Given the number of people with whom DaSilva was involved in cocaine
trafficking, there was sufficient proof that DaSilva had knowledge of the
existence of the conspiracy to import cocaine. Even if DaSilva were only aware
of the acts concerning Varig, there is no requirement that he be aware of all of
the acts of the others in furtherance of the conspiracy. See Rooney, 866 F.2d at
32; Alessi, 638 F.2d at 473. Thus, viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the government, the jury's verdict that DaSilva was involved as a
co-conspirator in the single conspiracy was justified and will not be overturned.
The district court properly denied his Motion for Judgment of Acquittal, or in
the alternative, Motion for New Trial.
4. Steven Finn

59

Finn argues that there were multiple conspiracies rather than a single
conspiracy, and that if a single conspiracy were found, the evidence was
insufficient to prove that he voluntarily participated in it or that there was
mutual dependence and assistance among the spheres. Further, Finn contends
that the district court committed reversible error in permitting testimony
concerning the presence of his name, address and telephone number on a
computer disk found in the search of Claudio Petenucci's office in Brazil. These
arguments are without merit.

60

The evidence was sufficient to establish a single conspiracy. See supra. Finn's
claim that the evidence of his participation was insufficient to support his
conviction must fail. The evidence presented at trial showed that Finn was
aware of the importation methods, lent $25,000 to Fontenelle to enable him to
purchase cocaine knowing that Fontenelle would not use $25,000 worth of
cocaine for personal consumption but would distribute it and met Petenucci and
gave him his phone number (which was later found on the computer disk). Thus
there was sufficient evidence to show Finn's participation.

61

Like Crown, Finn characterizes himself as a "minor, bit player" in the

conspiracy. This characterization is of no consequence to the conspiracy
conviction. As we said in response to Crown's similar claim, see supra, the size
of a co-conspirator's role is not a determinative factor. Rather, what is important
is "the qualitative nature of the act or acts ... in the context of the entire
conspiracy," United States v. Torres, 503 F.2d 1120, 1124 (2d Cir.1974), which
is determinative. That Finn knowingly and willingly committed acts in
furtherance of the conspiracy was adequately shown by the evidence developed
at trial.

62

The computer printout from the disk obtained from Petenucci's office contained
Finn's name and address along with a list of the names and addresses of the
other conspirators. It also contained an accounting ledger depicting several drug
transactions. Finn objects to the admission of the printout on the grounds that
the government failed to lay a proper foundation for its admission and that it
was of questionable probative value. Although Finn raises these two objections,
the crux of his argument is that the printout is of questionable relevance and
probative value and is prejudicial to his case. See Fed.R.Evid. 401, 403. We
disagree and hold that the district court properly admitted the printout.

63

Determinations of relevance are committed to the sound discretion of the

district court and will not be overturned unless the judge acted "arbitrarily or
irrationally." United States v. Cruz, 797 F.2d 90, 95 (2d Cir.1986). The district
court's actions here were neither arbitrary nor irrational. The printout illustrated
Petenucci's connection to Finn and the other conspirators. It is analogous to a
conspirator's address book, which we have found to be admissible to prove
association and knowledge in drug conspiracy cases. See, e.g., United States v.
Jaramillo-Montoya, 834 F.2d 276, 278-79 (2d Cir.1987), cert. denied, --- U.S. ---, 108 S.Ct. 1998, 100 L.Ed.2d 229 (1988) (address book admissible as coconspirator statement under Fed.R.Evid. 801(d)(2)(E)). Concerning its
probative value and possible prejudicial effect, the evidence was probative of
Finn's involvement in the conspiracy. In light of the other evidence of Finn's
participation, it was not unduly prejudicial. Thus, it was properly admitted.

CONCLUSION
64

The judgments of conviction of all appellants are hereby affirmed.

Honorable John Minor Wisdom, United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth
Circuit, sitting by designation

The appeals of Vincent Cicali and Bruce Duignan were withdrawn

The appellants were convicted of charges that appeared in the third Superseding
Indictment. The original indictment and two subsequent superseding
indictments differed from the third in that they named several more individual
parties and contained fewer counts

Our original opinion in Wong rejected the argument that the selection of the
jury by a magistrate required a reversal of his conviction. Then Gomez was
decided, holding that federal magistrates are not authorized to conduct jury
selection in a felony trial. Wong's petition for rehearing in light of Gomez
followed