United States v. Shawn Smith

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
File Name: 15a0601n.06

Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748
FILED
Aug 24, 2015
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, )
)
Plaintiff-Appellee, )
)
v. ) ON APPEAL FROM THE
) UNITED STATES DISTRICT
LAMONTE WATSON (12-1903); SHAWN ) COURT FOR THE EASTERN
RENARD SMITH (12-2199); ISAAC DENEL ) DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
MEEKS (13-1748), )
)
Defendants-Appellants. ) OPINION
)

BEFORE: GUY, GIBBONS, and ROGERS Circuit Judges.

JULIA SMITH GIBBONS, Circuit Judge. LaMonte Watson, Shawn Smith, and Issac

Meeks were each convicted of various crimes related to a conspiracy to distribute cocaine and

heroin. They now raise a variety of arguments for reversal of their convictions and sentences.

For the reasons that follow, we affirm the district court’s judgment in its entirety.

I.

Beginning in 2010, the FBI began wiretapping telephones belonging to Smith and

Watson as part of an investigation of a drug conspiracy in Flint, Michigan. They learned that

Watson was supplying Smith with heroin and cocaine, which Smith was then re-selling. Smith

also made his home available to Watson for the production and sale of drugs.
Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Investigators also recorded calls between Watson and Meeks. Meeks complained about

the quality of a substance he had obtained from another dealer and Watson explained that he was

testing the quality of some drugs he had received. Meeks later obtained cocaine and heroin—

including some on credit—from Watson and brought him several new customers.

The FBI then executed a number of search warrants for premises involved in the

conspiracy. From Watson’s home, agents seized over a kilogram of cocaine, two empty,

kilogram-sized wrappers containing cocaine residue, a loaded shotgun, and over $100,000 in

cash. Smith’s house contained some cocaine and heroin, blenders and processors, a cocaine

press, two handguns, and a loaded SKS rifle. The officers also searched Meeks’s home, where

they found over half a kilogram of heroin in separate bags, blenders coated with a powdery

residue, cutting agents, an AK-47-style assault rifle, a magazine for the rifle loaded with eighty-

eight rounds, more ammunition for the rifle, and a loaded semi-automatic handgun.

Along with nine others, Watson, Smith, and Meeks were indicted for conspiring to

distribute over five kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of heroin, and 280 grams of crack

cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. All three defendants were also charged with possession

with intent to distribute heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a

firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Watson and Smith were charged with

possession with intent to distribute cocaine. In addition, Watson alone was charged with

manufacture of marijuana and conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

While awaiting trial, Watson sought dismissal of the indictment against him based on

ineffective assistance of counsel. His attorney then moved to withdraw from the case. The

district court denied the motion to dismiss but allowed counsel to withdraw and appointed a new

lawyer. Watson complained about his new lawyer and sought to replace him, as well.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Eventually, after Watson again complained about his representation mere weeks before trial, the

attorney sought to withdraw. Following a hearing, the district court denied the request to

withdraw.

All three defendants were tried along with a fourth defendant, Damichael Washington, in

October 2011. The court denied Smith’s request to give an instruction on multiple conspiracies,

holding that the evidence showed only one alleged conspiracy. The court instructed the jury, in

the event that it found a defendant guilty of conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846, to then consider

the total amount of each drug involved in the conspiracy as a whole. This amount—not just the

amount for which each defendant was personally responsible—would then be used for the

purposes of sentencing pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1). During deliberations, the jury

requested clarification of the instruction regarding drug quantities. Over the defendants’

objections, the court responded that they should find “the amount involved in the conspiracy as a

whole . . . regardless of the role that [any given defendant] played.” (DE 593, Trial Tr., Page ID

5281.)

Smith and Meeks were both convicted of all counts. Watson was acquitted of possessing

a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking activity and was convicted of all other charges. The

jury found that the quantities involved in the conspiracy were five kilograms or more of cocaine,

one kilogram or more of heroin, and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine. Watson was sentenced

to life imprisonment. Smith received a total prison sentence of 300 months. Meeks was

sentenced to a total of 181 months’ imprisonment. All three defendants filed timely notices of

appeal.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

II.

Watson first argues that the district court’s refusal to allow substitution of counsel

violated his Sixth Amendment rights. We review such a refusal for abuse of discretion. United

States v. Henderson, 626 F.3d 326, 340 (6th Cir. 2010). We have previously explained:

When reviewing a district court’s denial of a motion to withdraw or substitute
counsel, we generally must consider: (1) the timeliness of the motion; (2) the
adequacy of the court’s inquiry into the matter; (3) the extent of the conflict
between the attorney and the client and whether it was so great that it resulted in a
total lack of communication preventing an adequate defense; and (4) the
balancing of these factors with the public’s interest in the prompt and efficient
administration of justice.

United States v. Mack, 258 F.3d 548, 556 (6th Cir. 2001). “‘[T]rial judges necessarily require a

great deal of latitude in scheduling trials,’” and “‘[c]onsequently, broad discretion must be

granted trial courts on matters of continuances; only an unreasoning and arbitrary insistence

upon expeditiousness in the face of a justifiable request for delay violates the right to the

assistance of counsel.’” United States v. Vasquez, 560 F.3d 461, 466 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting

Morris v. Slappy, 461 U.S. 1, 11–12 (1983)). As a result, “[w]hen the granting of the

defendant’s request would almost certainly necessitate a last-minute continuance, the trial

judge’s actions are entitled to extraordinary deference.” Id. at 467 (internal quotation marks

omitted).

Watson’s motion to substitute his counsel, made nineteen days before trial, was not the

first time he complained about his representation. In December 2010, he moved pro se to

dismiss the indictment based on ineffective assistance of counsel. He followed up with a letter to

the district court, referring to his court-appointed attorney as a “dump truck lawyer.” (DE 201,

Letter, Page ID 791–92.) His court-appointed lawyer then moved to withdraw, explaining,

“Defendant clearly does not trust counsel nor counsel’s advice [and] [i]it is clear that there is a

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

breakdown of the attorney-client relationship such that counsel should no longer represent

Defendant.” (DE 205, Mot. to Withdraw, Page ID 804–05.) The court granted the motion.

The court then appointed a second lawyer, Robert Dunn. Although Dunn filed several

motions on Watson’s behalf within weeks, Watson again complained about his representation,

moving in January 2011 for new counsel and seeking to dismiss the indictment in April 2011

based on Dunn’s ineffectiveness. At a hearing in May 2011, Dunn did not object to being

replaced but implied that he would be willing to continue representing Watson and stated that he

did not hold a grudge. Dunn also discussed some of the particular concerns that Watson had

about his work. He explained that Watson would not be entitled to acceptance-of-responsibility

credit in the event of a plea because his two prior drug trafficking convictions would give rise to

a mandatory life term if convicted in this case. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(b). Dunn also explained

that he had not carried out Watson’s request to move to dismiss the count of using or carrying a

firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) because “[t]hat’s a

question of fact which the jury will decide . . . and I had planned to vigorously contest that.”

(DE 577, Hr’g Tr., Page ID 3054.) The district court denied Watson’s motion, finding: “[T]here

has not been any showing that Mr. Watson’s current counsel is ineffective. . . . He’s argued very

vigorously, both in writing and in open court, on behalf of his client. The arguments that Mr.

Watson is concerned that his attorney has not been advancing do not appear to be meritorious

. . . .” (Id. at 3057.) The court denied Watson’s subsequent motion to replace Dunn in July

2011.

With the trial scheduled for October 24, 2011, Watson once again moved, on October 4,

to replace Dunn. At a hearing, he told the court he “would like to receive a counsel that’s gonna

be a vigorous advocate for my case and help me fight my case and put in the motions I ask him

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

to put in and all the arguments that I need to be put in before I go to trial.” (DE 581, Hr’g Tr.,

Page ID 3163.) Dunn clarified that Watson seemed to have changed his position and decided

that “if he can’t get other counsel, [he] wishes to represent himself.” (Id.) Watson confirmed

that he would represent himself “[a]s a last resort.” (Id. at 3164.) This time, Dunn requested that

he be allowed to withdraw. He stated:

This counsel now believes it is absolutely imperative that he be allowed to
withdraw to avoid violation of a disciplinary rule. There is absolutely no trust left
in the attorney client relationship, and this counsel has no intention of wasting
another long drive to Sanilac County Jail to meet with Defendant when Defendant
is only using these meetings to figure out another way to attack this counsel’s
representation. . . . It would now be absolutely unreasonable to expect this
counsel to continue under the present circumstances and would simply provide
Defendant ammunition to attempt to use against him for a grievance, a law suit, or
ineffective assistance of counsel. Further, this counsel will not again speak to the
Defendant concerning this case until this motion is filed.

(DE 424, Counsel’s Answer, Page ID 1965–66.) Dunn shed some light on the source of the

disagreement, explaining that Watson was asking him to file frivolous motions and “insisting

that I bring in a witness that’s in fact going to be damaging to him,” which Dunn believed

“would be the subject later of an ineffective assistance of counsel petition.” (DE 581, Hr’g Tr.,

Page ID 3165–66; see also id. at 3169–70.) He also spoke of the communication issues they

were facing: “We can’t communicate so I get derisively called names. . . . I can’t talk to this

gentleman without knowing that he’s going to file some kind of pleading and twist around

something that I said. I cannot represent him without violating a disciplinary rule.” (Id.) He

added: “I don’t think I can communicate with him, I don’t think he’s going to listen to me. I

don’t think he’s going to believe anything I say.” (Id. at 3166.)

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Dunn also raised a potential scheduling problem:

There’s another issue that concerns me to some extent in that the Court’s decided
that the trial would go all day rather than half a day and I teach law four nights a
week . . . so [if] we end the Court day at four or 4:30, I’m not going to have time
to spend two hours down here trying to explain things to Mr. Watson to his
satisfaction . . . .

(Id. at 3166.) There was some interrelation between the scheduling issues and Dunn’s fears

about Watson’s motives: Dunn expressed the view that, if he were unable to stay after court to

“explain things to Mr. Watson to his satisfaction,” this would “just put[] me in the position to get

set up to have accusations made against me . . . .” (Id.) Dunn suggested that he or another

lawyer serve as standby counsel if Watson were left to represent himself, although Dunn noted

that “[t]he relationship is so strained I don’t know if he would want me to be the standby

counsel.” (Id. at 3168; DE 424, Counsel’s Answer, Page ID 1966.) The government stated its

strong opposition to any solution that involved severing Watson’s trial from that of the other

defendants.

The district court decided that Dunn would not be permitted to withdraw. The court

found that “the conclusory statement in [Watson’s] motion that Mr. Dunn has done nothing or

little to prepare for trial simply is not true. . . .” (Id. at 3172.) As for the motions that Watson

requested Dunn file, the court accepted that they would have been counterproductive or

frivolous. The court concluded “that the grounds that have been advanced by Mr. Watson both

in writing and also here at the hearing simply have not been substantiated.” (Id. at 3173.) The

district court then considered the impact that a change of lawyers would have on the court’s

schedule:

It is simply unworkable to have cases get prepared for trial and then[,] very close
to trial, . . . grant a request for a withdrawal from a case or a change of attorneys
being requested by a defendant unless there’s good cause to allow that withdrawal

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

or allow for change of attorneys. The Court doesn’t find sufficient cause in this
case, so it’s going to deny Mr. Dunn’s request to be allowed to withdraw from the
case.

...

[T]his case cannot be held hostage simply because a defendant decides that he
doesn’t want to communicate with his attorney. It appears to the Court that we
have a mentally capable defendant and we have an effective attorney ready,
willing and able to represent him. That’s what due process requires then for a
case to proceed. If the defendant chooses not to utilize the defendant’s right to
have an attorney, that’s a choice that the defendant has made and the Court’s not
going to allow Mr. Dunn to withdraw simply because the defendant is being
recalcitrant or is making communication difficult.

With respect to the issue of our trial schedule and Mr. Dunn’s other commitments,
that’s not a matter that’s sufficient to allow withdrawal. . . . The Court’s willing
to consider minimizing the hardship on Mr. Dunn with respect to his teaching
responsibilities, but he may have to face the possibility of making other
arrangements with his classes during the duration of this trial.

...

The Court has set aside this time for [trial] . . . so it has moved a number of cases
. . . to make room for trial in this case. In addition, the co-defendants are entitled
to a speedy trial and their day in court has been delayed time and time again, of
course always with their consent, but it would not be fair to them to delay this
case further and it’s not fair to the government as well to delay the trial in this
matter.

...

It’s not feasible to sever the case and try Mr. Watson separately from the other
defendants. This is a conspiracy case and for all kind[s] of efficiency reasons, it
wouldn’t make sense to try the case at this point with the relatively smaller
number of defendants left in this case in different segments . . . .

(Id. at 3174–77.) Dunn reiterated his concern that the breakdown in communication would

jeopardize his compliance with his professional duties. After further questioning, the court

concluded:

I don’t think [there is] a breakdown that’s sufficient to cause us to change
lawyers. . . . What I see is a defendant who has not been communicating the way
a defendant ought to in order to fully utilize his attorney’s services and . . . who

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

claims that his attorney either doesn’t know what he’s doing or doesn’t have the
inclination to do what’s necessary to represent him . . . . [T]he fact that the
defendant has that frame of mind to me is not sufficient to cause me to allow for a
change of attorneys [because otherwise] the system would be hostage to the
misguided or inaccurate or perhaps even calculating frame of mind of a criminal
defendant and we can’t have an effective trial system if we’re going to have a
revolving door that just turns on how much a defendant wants to talk to his lawyer
or how much a defendant professes to believe in his lawyer.

(Id. at 3178–79.)

The court made clear, however, that Watson had the right to represent himself and that—

if Watson wished to do so—the court would have Dunn serve as standby counsel. The court

directly asked Watson whether he wanted to represent himself or he wanted Dunn to represent

him. Watson chose the latter.

Although there is no indication that Watson and Dunn repaired their relationship, they

worked together to some extent at trial. For example, before the jury entered the courtroom,

Dunn explained to the court his intention to concede in his opening statement that the cocaine,

heroin, and shotgun found in Watson’s home were indeed Watson’s property. Watson indicated

his consent to that strategy. Dunn told the court that “my client and I have had a lot of

discussion about whether [the strategy] would be in his best interest.” (DE 583, Trial Tr., Page

ID 3255.)

Whether or not Dunn’s actions were a model of good practices for defense lawyers, for

present purposes, we are assessing the actions of the district court, not defense counsel. And

under the four-factor test we have articulated, see Mack, 258 F.3d at 556, the district court did

not abuse its discretion in denying Watson’s motion and Dunn’s request to withdraw.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

A.

The first factor, the timeliness of the motion, weighs against Watson because he filed his

motion only nineteen days before trial. We have previously refused to second-guess decisions

by district courts to deny requests to change counsel made on a timelier basis than this. The

court in United States v. Chambers, 441 F.3d 438, 447 (6th Cir. 2006), held that there was no

abuse of discretion in denying a motion filed “approximately one and a half months prior to the

scheduled trial date.” A twenty-two day delay was considered “not timely” in United States v.

Fonville, 422 F. App’x 473, 480 (6th Cir. 2011).

The timing of Watson’s motion placed the district court in a difficult position.1 As the

court explained at the hearing on the motion—and as will be discussed under the fourth prong—

a substitution of Watson’s counsel at that point in time would have caused problems for the

court, the government, and Watson’s co-defendants. The motion was made just a short time

before trial and, as a result, “the trial judge’s actions are entitled to extraordinary deference.”

Vasquez, 560 F.3d at 467 (internal quotation marks omitted).

B.

The next factor is the adequacy of the court’s inquiry into the breakdown in

communication. Mack, 258 F.3d at 556. The inquiry was adequate here. After reviewing the

motions from Dunn and Watson, the court gave both the opportunity to explain their concerns at

a hearing. Watson stated his problems with Dunn. After Dunn explained the source and extent

of the communication problems in significant detail, the district court asked follow-up questions

and rendered a thorough explanation of its decision to deny the request.

1
Granted, Watson had made other motions to remove Dunn, the first of which was filed ten months before
trial. But Watson does not challenge the denial of any other motion on appeal and, in any event, there is no reason
to believe that any other denial of a motion to remove Dunn constituted an abuse of discretion.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Watson argues that the district court required too little when it said: “It appears to the

Court that we have a mentally capable defendant and we have an effective attorney ready,

willing and able to represent him. That’s what due process requires then for a case to proceed.”

(DE 581, Hr’g Tr., Page ID 3172; see Watson Br. at 12–13.) This was not a completely accurate

statement of the law. Watson’s objection was based on his Sixth-Amendment right to counsel

and that right—as discussed—contains more than merely a competent defendant and an able,

willing lawyer. But Watson is seizing on appeal on an isolated misstatement in the context of a

lengthy, detailed explanation that clearly touched on all of the relevant issues and gave a sound

reason for the district court’s decision. The court spoke of the timing of the motion, the nature

and degree of the fracture in Watson and Dunn’s relationship, and the impact that a delay would

have on other individuals and the system. The explanation was adequate and this weighs in

favor of upholding the district court’s decision.

C.

Next, despite Watson’s complaints and Dunn’s request to withdraw, there was not the

kind of “complete breakdown in communication,” Vasquez, 560 F.3d at 468 (internal quotation

marks omitted), that would necessitate substitution of counsel nineteen days before trial.

Watson’s frustration apparently stemmed, in large part, from Dunn’s refusal to take certain

actions on his behalf, such as securing the attendance of a particular witness, moving to dismiss

the § 924(c) count, and moving for a hearing to determine that one of his prior felonies should

not be used as a sentencing enhancement. But Dunn was hardly unresponsive to those requests.

As he explained to the district court, he believed that the witness’s testimony would have harmed

Watson’s interests at trial and that the motions would have been frivolous. Dunn claimed, and

Watson did not dispute, that the pair had exhaustively discussed those issues. They simply

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

disagreed on them. The effective counsel that the Sixth Amendment requires need not blindly

follow the defendant’s every demand. If Dunn had done so in this case, his actions would likely

have been strategically and ethically problematic.

Dunn’s refusal to take those particular actions did not necessarily signal any lack of

competence or effort. As the district court noted, and as the record supports, Dunn appeared to

be working hard and acting in Watson’s best interests before trial. Given that nineteen days

remained between the denial of the motion and the beginning of trial, there was time to continue

to build the relationship so as to serve Watson’s best interests. This may have occurred to some

extent: there is no indication that his performance diminished during trial.

Dunn’s request to withdraw certainly required careful scrutiny, especially in light of his

concern that the pair could not communicate well enough to uphold Dunn’s professional duties.

But he appeared to be doing all he could to communicate with Watson. And even with Watson’s

recalcitrance, there were signs that they were collaborating during trial: Dunn told the court, for

example, that he and Watson had engaged in “a lot of discussion” about a strategic issue.

Moreover, as the district court discussed in detail, the cracks in the relationship were

attributable—at least to some extent—to Watson’s refusal to cooperate with Dunn. In Vasquez,

the court held that this type of conduct weighed against the defendant on the third factor. 560

F.3d at 468 (“[T]he record reflects that any lack of communication between [the defendant and

his lawyer] was likely due to [the defendant’s] refusal to cooperate.”).

The district court did not abuse its discretion in finding that the relationship was not

sufficiently fractured to require the appointment of a new lawyer.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

D.

The fourth factor—the public’s interest in the prompt and efficient administration of

justice—also weighs strongly in favor of the district court’s decision to proceed without

substituting counsel. The court balanced this public-interest factor, as required, see Mack,

258 F.3d at 556, against Watson’s interest in having a new attorney appointed.

Given the timing of Watson’s motion, the district court would have been left with only

two options had it replaced Dunn. First, it could have postponed the entire trial, as it had done

several times already. As was clearly articulated on the record, postponement would have

burdened the court and the parties due to appear before it in other cases. The government was

strongly opposed to any delay. Perhaps most importantly, a continuance would have prejudiced

Watson’s three co-defendants. All were ready to proceed and had an interest in a speedy trial.

Second, the court could have severed Watson’s trial from the others. Again, however, there

would have been significant costs attached. Given the nature of the case, severance would have

required much of the same evidence to be presented a second time. This would have further

burdened the court, the government, the witnesses, and a second jury.

As discussed, the other factors do not weigh in favor of requiring substitute counsel.

Thus, especially when these are balanced against the substantial costs to the prompt and efficient

administration of justice, the district court acted within its discretion in refusing to remove Dunn

and appoint new counsel. We affirm that decision.

III.

Meeks challenges the sufficiency of the evidence against him on all counts. We reverse a

conviction only if, viewing the facts in the light most favorable to the prosecution, no rational

trier of fact could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

(1979); see also United States v. Maliszewski, 161 F.3d 992, 1006 (6th Cir. 1998) (“[We] draw

all available inferences and resolve all issues of credibility in favor of the jury’s verdict.”). The

government’s evidence can therefore be entirely circumstantial and “need not exclude every

possible hypothesis except that of guilt.” United States v. Jordan, 544 F.3d 656, 670 (6th Cir.

2008) (internal quotation marks omitted).

On Counts One (conspiracy) and Eleven (possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug

trafficking crime), Meeks moved for a judgment of acquittal under Federal Rule of Criminal

Procedure 29 at the close of the government’s case. At the end of trial, he moved again—this

time as to Count One only—for judgment of acquittal or, in the alternative, a new trial under

Rule 33.

Meeks therefore only preserved his sufficiency challenge as to Count One. “‘This Court

will not consider challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence if the defendant failed to make a

Rule 29 motion for judgment of acquittal at the end of the prosecution’s case-in-chief and at the

close of the evidence.’” United States v. Love, 553 F. App’x 548, 554 (6th Cir. 2014) (emphasis

added) (quoting United States v. Chance, 306 F.3d 356, 368 (6th Cir. 2002)). And “‘[a]lthough

specificity in a Rule 29 motion is not required, where the defendant makes a Rule 29 motion on

specific grounds, all grounds not specified in the motion are waived.’” Id. at 553 (quoting

Chance, 306 F.3d at 369). Both of Meeks’s Rule 29 motions specifically referred to the counts

they were challenging and Count One was the only one that was the subject of a motion both at

the end of the prosecution’s case-in-chief and the close of all evidence. We therefore review de

novo the sufficiency of the evidence for Count One. United States v. Clay, 667 F.3d 689, 701

(6th Cir. 2012).

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Meeks did not properly preserve his sufficiency arguments on the other counts: he did not

challenge the sufficiency of the evidence on Counts Nine and Ten at all and he failed to renew

his Count Eleven challenge at the close of all evidence. With respect to those counts, therefore,

we consider reversing based on the sufficiency of the evidence only if “the record reveals a

manifest miscarriage of justice,” United States v. Kennedy, 714 F.3d 951, 957 (6th Cir. 2013)

(internal quotation marks omitted), which exists only if “the record is devoid of evidence

pointing to guilt,” Jordan, 544 F.3d at 670 (internal quotation marks omitted).

A reasonable jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Meeks was guilty of

Count One—conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute controlled

substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846—beyond a reasonable doubt. To prove a conspiracy

in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, the government must prove “‘(1) an agreement to violate drug

laws, (2) knowledge and intent to join the conspiracy, and (3) participation in the conspiracy.’”

United States v. Pritchett, 749 F.3d 417, 431 (6th Cir. 2014) (quoting United States v. Gibbs, 182

F.3d 408, 420 (6th Cir. 1999)). “A tacit or mutual understanding” to violate the drug laws is

sufficient and “[t]he existence of a conspiracy may be inferred from circumstantial evidence that

can reasonably be interpreted as participation in the common plan.” Id. (internal quotation marks

omitted). “Once a conspiracy is proven beyond a reasonable doubt . . . a defendant’s connection

to the conspiracy ‘need only be slight,’ and a defendant’s knowledge of and participation in a

conspiracy ‘may be inferred from his conduct and established by circumstantial evidence.’”

United States v. Warman, 578 F.3d 320, 332–33 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting United States v.

Martinez, 430 F.3d 317, 330 (6th Cir. 2005)).

A rational jury could have concluded that Meeks knew he was part of a joint venture to

sell drugs. Meeks concedes that there was a drug conspiracy between Watson and Smith. But he

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

argues that there was no evidence that he had knowledge of that conspiracy. In Meeks’s view,

the evidence showed nothing more than a buyer-seller relationship between him and Watson.

“In a drug distribution ‘chain’ conspiracy, it is enough to show that each member of the

conspiracy realized that he was participating in a joint venture, even if he did not know the

identities of every other member, or was not involved in all the activities in furtherance of the

conspiracy.” Martinez, 430 F.3d at 332–33. In one recorded telephone conversation, Meeks

explained to Watson: “You really like to know . . . [otherwise] you gotta guess at it an’, try that

an’ try this an’ try that. I don’t really like doin’ that. You know.” (DE 693-1, Phone Call Trs.,

Page ID 11371.) Watson replied: “I should know somethin’ later on. . . . I was jus’ tryin’ to see

what it was gonna be . . . , what it was layin’ like.” (Id.) Trial testimony showed that “layin’

like” referred to the quality of the substance. (DE 587, Trial Tr., Page ID 4263–64.) When they

spoke again on the phone, Watson said that he had “already done got it checked out and

everything.” (DE 692-2, Phone Call Trs., Page ID 11337.) If this were the only evidence,

whether a rational jury could conclude that Meeks knew of the conspiracy would be a close call.

From the evidence presented, a rational juror could certainly conclude that Meeks knew Watson

had checked the quality of the drugs. Such a juror could also conclude that Watson’s method of

checking involved other people. And even if this evidence were not sufficient alone, there was

other evidence of Meeks’s guilt.

The case against Meeks featured three other types of evidence indicative of a conspiracy.

First, the sale of “[a] large volume of narcotics creates an inference of a conspiracy.” United

States v. Bourjaily, 781 F.2d 539, 545 (6th Cir. 1986). In Bourjaily, the “large volume” at issue

was one kilogram of cocaine. Id. Here too, Meeks arranged the purchase of a kilogram of

cocaine for his nephew, and also sought to purchase heroin. Second, “[e]vidence of repeat

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

purchases provides evidence of more than a mere buyer-seller relationship.” United States v.

Robinson, 547 F.3d 632, 641 (6th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks omitted). In addition to

the two purchases just discussed, Meeks ordered additional heroin from Watson three days after

the first purchase. Third, “the ‘trust involved’ in delivering drug quantities on credit ‘suggests

more than a buyer-seller relationship.’” Robinson, 547 F.3d at 641 (quoting United States v.

Nesbitt, 90 F.3d 164, 167 (6th Cir. 1996)). Here, there is evidence that Meeks obtained drugs on

credit from Watson. Taking all of these elements together, there was sufficient evidence in the

record to find beyond a reasonable doubt that all the elements of 21 U.S.C. § 846 were present

and to therefore convict Meeks of Count One.

Next, we must consider whether the record is devoid of evidence pointing toward

Meeks’s guilt on Counts Nine, Ten, and Eleven. See Jordan, 544 F.3d at 670. Count Nine is

possession with intent to distribute heroin in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and Count Ten is

felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). To convict Meeks under §

841(a)(1), the government had to prove that he knowingly possessed a measurable amount of

heroin with the intent to distribute it. United States v. Clark, 928 F.2d 733, 736 (6th Cir. 1991)

(per curiam).

A conviction under § 922(g) requires proof that the defendant (1) had a previous felony

conviction, (2) knowingly possessed the firearm or ammunition specified in the indictment, and

(3) that the firearm or ammunition traveled in or affected interstate commerce. United States v.

Grubbs, 506 F.3d 434, 439 (6th Cir. 2007). Meeks contests the sufficiency of the evidence only

on the possession element of that crime.

There is evidence in the record pointing to Meeks’s guilt of both crimes. The possession

element can be satisfied by showing constructive possession. “Constructive possession requires

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

evidence supporting the conclusion that the defendant had the ability to exercise knowing

dominion and control over the items in question.” United States v. Wettstain, 618 F.3d 577, 586

(6th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). Officers found heroin, an AK-47-style

assault rifle, a loaded magazine for that rifle, a loaded semi-automatic handgun, and a revolver in

Meeks’s bedroom closet. Agents surveilling the address had seen Watson arrive and an

individual, then unidentified, approach his vehicle. This occurred after Meeks told Watson to

come to his “new crib,” believed to be the address under surveillance, to drop off heroin that

Meeks had ordered. After the dropoff, Meeks told Watson that he had left his keys in Watson’s

truck. Inside, officers found evidence of Meeks’s control over the home. They discovered

pictures of Meeks, along with a letter addressed to Meeks that had been redirected to that

address. There was evidence pointing to possession of both the heroin and the firearms, and

there was therefore no manifest miscarriage of justice in Meeks’s convictions on Counts Nine

and Ten.

Count Eleven is possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in

violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). “To prove a violation of this section, and specifically the ‘in

furtherance element,’ the government must show ‘a specific nexus between the gun and the

crime charged.’” United States v. Brown, 732 F.3d 569, 576 (6th Cir. 2013) (quoting United

States v. Gill, 685 F.3d 606, 611 (6th Cir. 2012)). In other words, “the weapon must promote or

facilitate the crime.” United States v. Mackey, 265 F.3d 457, 461 (6th Cir. 2001). The court

considers a non-exhaustive list of factors “to help distinguish possession in furtherance of a

crime from innocent possession.” Brown, 732 F.3d at 576. First, “[i]n order for the possession

to be in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the firearm must be strategically located so that it

is quickly and easily available for use.” Mackey, 265 F.3d at 462. “Other factors that may be

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

relevant . . . include whether the gun was loaded, the type of weapon, the legality of its

possession, the type of drug activity conducted, and the time and circumstances under which the

firearm was found.” Id.

Here, the parties dispute whether the guns were strategically located. The government

points out that they were found in the closet along with 535 grams of heroin and items associated

with drug dealing, including a digital scale and three coffee grinders. But Meeks refers to United

States v. Leary, 422 F. App’x 502 (6th Cir. 2011), where the court held that the evidence of the

in-furtherance element was insufficient even though the firearm was found in the same closet as

the drugs. The court there explained:

[T]his proximity alone is not enough to establish that the guns were possessed in
furtherance of drug trafficking; there must be evidence tending to show a
connection between the two. . . . [I]t cannot be true that any time a gun is found
near drugs it is necessarily the result of a strategic decision relating to drug
activity. Indeed, the guns and the drugs were found in a closet—a storage space,
rather than a place from which drugs were sold.

Id. at 510–11 (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). The Leary court further stated

that the government must “show that ‘a defendant used the firearm with greater participation in

the commission of the crime or that the firearm’s presence in the vicinity of the crime was

something more than mere chance or coincidence.’” Id. at 511 (quoting United States v. Combs,

369 F.3d 925, 933 (6th Cir. 2004)). The court distinguished Leary in United States v.

Guadarrama, 591 F. App’x 347, 353 (6th Cir. 2014), where—in contrast to Leary—the case

“involved a substantial quantity of drugs and drug-paraphernalia located near guns and

ammunition in an apartment where drug sales had taken place.”

On the first Mackey factor, see 265 F.3d at 462, the firearms and ammunition were in the

same closet as a large volume of heroin—valued at over $50,000—and items commonly used for

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

dealing drugs. Even if this evidence would not be sufficient for the purposes of de novo

review—an issue we need not reach—there is certainly a sufficient nexus to provide some

evidence of guilt and thus negate any notion of a manifest miscarriage of justice. See Jordan,

544 F.3d at 670.

This conclusion is further bolstered by the existence of several other Mackey factors

pointing toward guilt. See Mackey, 265 F.3d at 462. Meeks’s possession of the firearms was not

lawful given his prior felony, hence his conviction on Count Ten. The handgun was loaded.

(DE 589, Trial Tr., Page ID 4455.) The AK-47, though unloaded, was close to the magazine that

was loaded with eighty-eight rounds of ammunition. (Id. at 4454.) This is sufficient evidence

for conviction of Count Eleven.

The evidence against Meeks was therefore sufficient on all counts. We affirm.

IV.

All three defendants argue that the district court erred in responding to a question from

the jury concerning the determination of drug quantities to be used for sentencing on Count One:

conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in violation of

21 U.S.C. § 846.

“This court reviews a district court’s actions in responding to questions from the jury for

abuse of discretion,” and “may reverse a judgment only if the instructions, viewed as a whole,

were confusing, misleading and prejudicial.” Robinson, 547 F.3d at 637 (internal quotation

marks omitted). This “‘set[s] a high standard for reversal of a conviction on the grounds of

improper instructions.’” Id. (quoting United States v. Khalil, 279 F.3d 358, 367 (6th Cir. 2002)).

“[U]nder § 846, [d]efendants are subject to the same penalties” as a person whose

conduct falls within § 841. United States v. Swiney, 203 F.3d 397, 401 (6th Cir. 2000). This

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

subjects a defendant to the mandatory minimum sentences under §§ 841(b)(1)(A) and (B) upon a

finding that the violation involved certain specified quantities of drugs. The verdict form was

structured accordingly. It first required the jury to determine whether each defendant was guilty

or not guilty of Count One. Next, for each guilty defendant, the jury was asked to determine the

amount of each drug (cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin) that was “involved in the conspiracy as

a whole.” (DE 591, Trial Tr., Page ID 5172–73.) The instructions on Count One included Sixth

Circuit Pattern Jury Instruction 14.07B. The jury was instructed:

If you find by unanimous agreement that the government has proved beyond a
reasonable doubt that the conspiracy as a whole involved a quantity of at least five
kilograms of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of cocaine,
one [kilogram] of a mixture or substance containing a detectible amount of heroin
or 280 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing cocaine base in the
form of crack cocaine, then please indicate this finding on the special verdict
form.

(Id. 5172.) In the event that the jury did not find this unanimously, it was next instructed to

consider the lesser amounts of each drug, as indicated on the special verdict form. The amounts

on the special verdict form matched the amounts that trigger 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A) and

§ 841(b)(1)(B) for sentencing purposes. None of the defendants objected to the jury instructions.

The jury sent out a note during deliberations, which read as follows:

If we find person A guilty of count one’s conspiracy charge, we read that each
subsequent question regarding the amount of drugs should represent the amount . .
. “involved in the conspiracy as a whole[.]” . . . So if person A was a very minor
player, is the amount of drugs for that defendant still the total . . . “involved in the
conspiracy as a whole”[?] . . . In other words, should person A and person B have
the same amount if both found guilty of the conspiracy charges even if persons A
and B were involved with different amounts?

(DE 592, Trial Tr., Page ID 5245.) After hearing arguments from the government and each

defendant on the issue, the district court told the jury:

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

[T]he answer to your questions for both questions would be yes. It makes no
difference whether someone was a minor player, very minor player[,] or major
player. If persons are both involved in the conspiracy and you’re satisfied the
government has proven beyond a reasonable doubt [that] all the requirements for
establishing that two people are involved in the conspiracy, it makes no difference
whether they are involved in the same amounts or different amounts[.] [W]hat
you need to then determine is what is that amount involved in the conspiracy as a
whole and then that is the number that you would include for any person
regardless of the role that they played; whether you call it very minor, minor or
major, it doesn’t make a difference. As long as [you] find that they are members
of the conspiracy, then all the members of the conspiracy will have the same
amount involved in the conspiracy as a whole. Again, you have to determine
what that amount is, all right?

(DE 593, Trial Tr., Page ID 5280–81.)

On appeal, each defendant essentially raises the same argument: that the district court

misinformed the jury about the law, prejudicing the defendants by creating a likelihood that

some or all of them would be held responsible—for the purposes of § 841(b)—for a greater drug

quantity than the law requires.

We disagree. The instruction was in line with the applicable Sixth Circuit precedent,

namely United States v. Robinson, 547 F.3d 632, 637 (6th Cir. 2008). In that case, the jury was

asked to determine the amount of cocaine involved in the conspiracy for § 841 purposes. Id. at

636. During its deliberations, the jury sent a note asking whether the defendant “must have

knowledge of the selling of 5 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride or if he has to have direct

involvement with selling 5 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride.” Id. at 637 (internal quotation

marks omitted). Over the defendant’s objection, the court’s answer included the following

instruction: “Concerning the drug quantities, you are merely to determine what quantity was

involved in the conspiracy the defendant participated in, in the event you find he participated in a

conspiracy.” Id. The jury found the defendant guilty and found that five or more kilograms of

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

cocaine were involved. Id. The district court imposed a life sentence and we affirmed. Id. at

640. In so doing, we rejected the defendant’s argument “that a drug conspirator is culpable only

for quantities personally attributable to him.” Id. at 638. We held that the district “court’s

instruction was faithful to the language of 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A),” and was “not confusing,

misleading[,] and prejudicial.” Id. at 640 (internal quotation marks omitted).

Robinson controls here. The defendants in the present case, like those in Robinson, are

arguing that the jury’s finding of an amount of each drug should be limited to that specific

defendant’s involvement in the conspiracy. They claim, therefore, that the jury should have been

free to find that a particular defendant was responsible for a lesser amount because certain

quantities predate his entry into the conspiracy or fall outside the scope of his involvement.

Robinson squarely rejects this argument. Indeed, Robinson was the basis for Sixth Circuit

Pattern Jury Instruction 14.07B, which formed the basis of the instruction—including the

response to the jury’s question—in this case. The commentary on that instruction confirms:

“[t]he Sixth Circuit holds that the amount of drugs attributable to an individual defendant for a

violation of § 846 is the amount of drugs involved in the conspiracy as a whole, proved beyond a

reasonable doubt.” Sixth Circuit Pattern Jury Instruction 14.07B, Committee Commentary. And

while the defendants correctly argued at trial that the pattern instructions do not themselves have

the force of law, this instruction is entirely consistent with Robinson.

Between them, the defendants put forward several purported reasons why Robinson

should not control. They attempt to undermine its precedential value by demonstrating that the

decision is inconsistent with Supreme Court case law and with our published decisions issued

before Robinson. All of these attempts are unavailing.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

The defendants first argue, relying on United States v. Pruitt, 156 F.3d 638 (6th Cir.

1998), that “no defendant may be held responsible for acts beyond the scope of his or her

participation in the conspiracy.” See id. at 644. But that statement was dicta. As we explained

in Robinson, the question in Pruitt was “whether a conspiracy involving multiple overt acts is

nonetheless ‘a violation of’ [21 U.S.C.] § 841(a)” such that the drug quantities from those

multiple acts can be aggregated for sentencing under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). Robinson,

547 F.3d at 638 (alteration in original) (quoting Pruitt, 156 F.3d at 644). “The issue was not

whether the appellant was culpable for acts of his co-conspirators, and any pronouncements on

that topic are dicta.” Id.

Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640 (1946), is also inapposite. Pinkerton addresses

the issue of when a conspirator will be liable for the substantive offenses of his co-conspirators.

Id. at 647–48. But Pinkerton does not address whether a defendant already proved guilty of a

single substantive offense—conspiracy—can be subject to a mandatory minimum sentence based

on the volume of drugs that were involved in that single offense. See Robinson, 547 F.3d at

638–39.

Robinson is also consistent with United States v. Swiney, 203 F.3d 397 (6th Cir. 2000).

That opinion—which stated “that Pinkerton principles, as articulated in the relevant conduct

guideline, U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(1)(B), determine whether a defendant convicted under 21 U.S.C.

§ 846 is subject to the penalty set forth in 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(C)”—concerns sentencing under

the Guidelines. Id. at 406. A different standard of foreseeability applies in that context to the

standard applicable to the drug quantity finding for § 846 purposes, which Robinson discusses.

Nor does Robinson run afoul of Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000), or Alleyne

v. United States, 133 S. Ct. 2151 (2013). As the Robinson court noted, Apprendi requires only

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

that the jury “determine that the defendant participated in a conspiracy involving a type and

quantity of drugs sufficient to justify a sentence above the default statutory maximum.” 547

F.3d at 639 (internal quotation marks omitted). Alleyne does not change that conclusion. As this

court has already held, Alleyne deals with the quantum of proof that applies, not with mens rea.

United States v. Dado, 759 F.3d 550, 569–71 (6th Cir. 2014).

Finally, the defendants are incorrect to claim that Robinson is inconsistent with United

States v. Cox, 565 F.3d 1013 (6th Cir. 2009), a case decided after Robinson that relied on United

States v. Jinadu, 98 F.3d 239 (6th Cir. 1996). (See Watson Br. at 17; Smith Br. at 14–15.) Cox

and Jinadu simply held that the court should not rely in sentencing on the amount of drugs

charged in the indictment. This says nothing about the present situation.

Applying Robinson, the answer is straightforward: the district court correctly instructed

that the relevant quantity of drugs is the quantity involved in the overall conspiracy.

V.

We next consider Smith’s claim that the district court committed reversible error when it

refused to instruct the jury on multiple conspiracies. “This Court reviews a district court’s

decision not to give a jury instruction for abuse of discretion.” United States v. Triana, 468 F.3d

308, 315 (6th Cir. 2006). Reversal is warranted if “(1) the proposed instruction is substantially

correct; (2) the proposed instruction is not substantially covered by other delivered charges; and

(3) the failure to give the instruction impaired the defendant’s theory of the case.” Id. The

instruction should be given even if there is only “weak supporting evidence,” id. at 316, but

“‘should not be given if it lacks evidentiary support or is based upon mere suspicion or

speculation.’” Id. (quoting United States v. James, 819 F.2d 674, 675 (6th Cir. 1987)).

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Smith requested that the jury be given Sixth Circuit Pattern Jury Instructions 3.08 and

3.09, which address multiple conspiracies. He pointed to evidence of Smith’s deals with four

other individuals, arguing that each one was potentially a separate conspiracy. The court denied

the request, holding that “there isn’t any evidence that any of the defendants have been parties to

an uncharged conspiracy . . . . The fact that people down the chain may have had other drug

transactions and suppliers doesn’t mean that the defendants in our case were engaged in an

uncharged conspiracy.” (DE 591, Trial Tr., Page ID. at 5038–40.)

This court has previously explained:

[T]he government is not required to prove an actual agreement among the various
conspirators in order to establish a single conspiracy. In one form of conspiracy,
often described as a “chain” conspiracy, the agreement can be inferred from the
interdependent nature of the criminal enterprise. Conspiracies to distribute
narcotics, which normally involve numerous sales and resales of drugs until they
reach the ultimate consumers, are often “chain” conspiracies. . . . [A] single
conspiracy does not become multiple conspiracies simply because each member
of the conspiracy did not know every other member, or because each member did
not know of or become involved in all of the activities in furtherance of the
conspiracy.

United States v. Warner, 690 F.2d 545, 549 (6th Cir. 1982) (citations omitted). As a result, “[a]

single conspiracy is not transposed into a multiple one simply by lapse of time, change in

membership, or a shifting emphasis on its locale of operations.” United States v. Segines,

17 F.3d 847, 856 (6th Cir. 1994) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Thus, “it is not

easy for a defendant to succeed in making a multiple-conspiracy claim.” Maliszewski, 161 F.3d

at 1014.

The district court did not abuse its discretion in deciding that there was no evidence

suggesting that Smith was involved in distinct conspiracies. Even accepting the view of the

evidence that Smith advocates, there is no evidence separating his alleged side-deals with other

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

individuals from the core conspiracy that is the subject of this case. As the district court properly

determined, the evidence showed that Watson supplied Smith with drugs and then Smith

supplied those to other individuals. This establishes nothing more than a chain conspiracy,

which—as discussed—constitutes a single agreement. Smith failed to mention in the district

court, and fails to mention on appeal, any evidence that would show distinct conspiracies

meriting the requested instruction. All of his arguments simply point to additional individuals

who could have been part of the chain. The district court did not abuse its discretion in refusing

to give the instruction.

VI.

Meeks challenges the sentence imposed for Count Nine: possession with intent to

distribute heroin. The district court applied 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B)(i), which establishes a

five-year mandatory minimum term when the crime involved “100 grams or more of a mixture

or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin,” before eventually sentencing Meeks to

121 months on that count. (DE 651, Sentencing Tr., Page ID 8120, 8129.) But the drug quantity

for Count Nine was not charged in the information or found by the jury. Meeks therefore claims

that the sentence violates his Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights based on Apprendi and Alleyne.

He argues that the district court should have sentenced him under § 841(b)(1)(C), “which

establishes the default statutory maximum sentences and does not require as an element of the

offense a specific quantity of drugs.” United States v. Stewart, 306 F.3d 295, 310 (6th Cir.

2002).

Because defense counsel agreed that § 841(b)(1)(B) applied—and did not register an

objection to the absence of a jury finding on quantity—the court reviews only for plain error.

See Fed. R. Crim. P. 52(b); United States v. Vonner, 516 F.3d 382, 385 (6th Cir. 2008) (en banc).

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

This court reverses for plain error only if (1) the district court committed an error; (2) that is

“plain,” and (3) that affects the defendant’s substantial rights. United States v. Olano, 507 U.S.

725, 732 (1993). Even then, the court has discretion on whether to reverse, which it “should not

exercise . . . unless the error seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of

judicial proceedings.” Id. (internal quotation marks omitted). Here, the government concedes

that the district court committed an error and that the error was plain. The dispute centers on

whether the error affected Meeks’s substantial rights.

An error in instructing the jury on the elements that will affect a defendant’s minimum

sentence is not a structural error requiring automatic reversal. See Arizona v. Fulminante, 499

U.S. 279, 310 (1991) (defining structural errors as “basic protections [without which] a criminal

trial cannot reliably serve its function as a vehicle for determining guilt or innocence” (internal

quotation marks omitted)); United States v. Mack, 729 F.3d 594, 608 (6th Cir. 2013). The court

must therefore ask “whether it appears ‘beyond a reasonable doubt that the error complained of

did not contribute to the verdict obtained.’” Mack, 729 F.3d at 607–08 (quoting Neder v. United

States, 527 U.S. 1, 15 (1999)). In other words, the error will not affect a defendant’s substantial

rights “[i]f it is clear to us beyond a reasonable doubt that the outcome would not have been

different even if the district court had instructed the jury on the element . . . and required the jury

to make a finding on that element . . . .” Id. at 608–09 (upholding the sentence despite the error

because a properly instructed jury would have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the

defendant committed the conduct that increased the mandatory minimum sentence); see also

United States v. Cotton, 535 U.S. 625, 633 (2002) (upholding a sentence premised on a minimum

drug threshold in the absence of a jury finding on the quantity because the evidence established

“the conspiracy’s involvement with far more” than the threshold amount).

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

Here, police officers seized 500 grams of heroin from a closet in Meeks’s house, along

with items of drug paraphernalia. Meeks did not contest the amount of heroin at trial. Rather, he

argued that he did not have possession of the items in the closet. By finding him guilty of Count

Nine, the jury must have found that the government proved possession. We have already

rejected Meeks’s sufficiency challenge on that count. Given the uncontroverted evidence of the

amount of heroin—an amount far greater than the threshold under § 841(b)(1)(B)(i)—it appears

beyond a reasonable doubt that a properly instructed jury would have found that the crime

involved 100 grams or more of a substance containing heroin. 2 The five-year minimum would

therefore have applied.

Meeks argues that the error affected his substantial rights because “[t]here is no certainty

that the court would have imposed the same sentence had the mandatory minimum not been in

play.” (Meeks Br. at 34.) He bases his argument on United States v. Bradley, 581 F. App’x 249

(4th Cir. 2014) (per curiam), in which the Fourth Circuit reversed for plain error on an Alleyne

issue. But in Bradley, the government argued that the defendant could not show prejudice

because the district court would have imposed the same sentence even in the absence of a

mandatory minimum. Id. at 253. The Fourth Circuit disagreed. Id. In the present case, there is

no prejudice not because the sentence would necessarily have been the same if the mandatory

minimum were not in play but based on a logically prior step: the mandatory minimum would

have applied if the jury had been properly instructed because it appears beyond a reasonable

doubt that the jury would have found that the crime involved 100 or more grams of heroin.

For these reasons, the district court’s error did not affect Meeks’s substantial rights.

There is therefore no basis for reversal on this issue.

2
For this same reason, Meeks’s argument that the evidence was insufficient to trigger the enhanced
penalties under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B), also fails.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

VII.

Meeks argues that the district court erred in determining the amount of cocaine

attributable to him for sentencing purposes.

The court attributed 3,305 grams of cocaine to Meeks. This figure was derived from over

one kilogram of cocaine seized from Watson’s home, plus two empty kilogram-sized wrappers

with cocaine residue. When combined with the heroin, this led to a total marijuana equivalency

of 1,206 kilograms, placing him in offense level 32. Given his criminal history category, this

yielded a 121-to-151-month guideline range for Counts One (conspiracy with intent to distribute

controlled substances), Nine (possession with intent to distribute heroin), and Ten (felon in

possession of a firearm). Meeks argues that the court should have attributed only 303.8 grams of

cocaine to him. This would have resulted in an offense level—after considering the retroactive

amendments to U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1—of 21, giving rise to a guideline range of 78 to 97 months.

Meeks’s sentencing argument blends several related but distinct issues. Though it claims

that his sentence is “procedurally unreasonable,” only part of his claim in fact refers to

procedural reasonableness. We will separate his various arguments and address each in turn.

A.

Meeks’s first claim is that the district court erred in attributing the cocaine found at

Watson’s home to Meeks. “Where a defendant is part of a ‘jointly undertaken criminal activity’

involving drugs, ‘the defendant is accountable for all quantities of contraband with which [he]

was directly involved and . . . all reasonably foreseeable quantities of contraband that were

within the scope of the criminal activity that [he] jointly undertook.’” United States v. Begley,

602 F. App’x 622, 626 (6th Cir. 2015) (quoting U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3 cmt. 2); see also United States

v. Campbell, 279 F.3d 392, 399 (6th Cir. 2002). A “jointly undertaken criminal activity”

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

includes, though is not limited to, a conspiracy. United States v. Thomas, 28 F. App’x 427, 431

(6th Cir. 2002) (citing U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3 cmt. 2).

We “must accept a district court’s determination of the quantity of drugs attributable to a

defendant for sentencing purposes unless that determination was clearly erroneous.” United

States v. Dillard, 505 F. App’x 516, 520 (6th Cir. 2012) (citing United States v. Jeross, 521 F.3d

562, 570 (6th Cir. 2008)). “If the exact amount of drugs is undetermined, ‘an estimate will

suffice but . . . a preponderance of the evidence must support the estimate.” Jeross, 521 F.3d at

570 (quoting United States v. Walton, 908 F.2d 1289, 1302 (6th Cir. 1990)); see also United

States v. Gardner, 417 F.3d 541, 546–47 (6th Cir. 2005). “[A] district court’s approximation of

drug quantity is not clearly erroneous if it is supported by competent evidence in the record.”

Jeross, 521 F.3d at 570 (citing United States v. Brannon, 7 F.3d 516, 520 (6th Cir. 1993)). That

evidence “‘must have a minimum level of reliability beyond mere allegation, and the court

should err on the side of caution in making its estimate.’” United States v. Sandridge, 385 F.3d

1032, 1037 (6th Cir. 2004) (quoting United States v. Owusu, 199 F.3d 329, 338 (6th Cir. 2000)).

Meeks argues that the evidence against him showed nothing more than “an inquiry about

the price of cocaine.” (Meeks Br. at 54.) And “[t]o the extent that Meeks may have been

looking to buy cocaine or heroin . . . this amounted to no more than a potential buyer-seller

relationship that does not constitute a conspiratorial relationship or even an act in furtherance of

a conspiratorial relationship.” (Id.)

We disagree. The district court did not clearly err in determining that the entire 3,305 of

cocaine—both the cocaine found in Watson’s home and the two kilograms that the district court

determined had been present based on the empty wrappers—was within the scope of the

conspiracy of which Meeks was a part and was reasonably attributable to Meeks. The court first

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

determined that “[w]ith respect to the 1,000 grams of cocaine that were seized from defendant

Watson’s residence, . . . [Meeks] did have actual knowledge of this quantity because the quantity

was actually discussed by [Meeks] and Watson during the June 5, 2010 telephone conversation

that was played during trial.” (DE 651, Sentencing Tr., Page ID 8110.) The call included the

following discussion:

Watson: What’s up with your nephew an’ them?
Meeks: Uhh, I talk to him, he, he wanna know how old she is.
Watson: Shit.
Meeks: So he want one though.
Watson: Huh?
Meeks: He gotta . . . he wanna know how old she is.
...
Watson: Thirt, thirty two an about to be at half that way.
Meeks: Damn. Can’t do it for the thirty two?
Watson: Nope.
...
Meeks: She pretty?
Watson: She decent.
...
Meeks: But she, is she around right now?
Watson: Yeah.
Meeks: Okay, well I’m gonna have to get them sticks together. Let me call him
and let him know.
....

(DE 692, Phone Call Trs., Page ID 11358–59.) The government offered testimony that cocaine

goes by the term “girl.” (DE 678, Trial Tr., Page ID 9589.) The district court also referred to a

prior conversation, on June 1—one of many recorded conversations between Watson and Meeks

that appeared to reference drugs—in which Watson told Meeks, “I’m working with you,” and

Meeks said, “I wanna build that back up so I can take care of you man.” (DE 692-2, Phone Call

Trs., Page ID 11337.) They then discussed a transaction involving Meeks’s nephew, a topic to

which they returned in the June 5 call. The district court found by a preponderance of the

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

evidence that, taken together, these calls established more than just a negotiation over price: they

showed that the one kilogram of cocaine was within the scope of the conspiracy. This

conclusion was not clearly erroneous based on the evidence in the record.

Next, the district court found that the additional 2,305 grams of cocaine should also be

attributed to Meeks. The court recognized that there was no evidence that Meeks had actual

knowledge but that it was reasonably foreseeable that such a quantity would be a part of the

conspiracy in which he participated. This was a correct interpretation of the law. See Begley,

602 F. App’x at 626. And the district court did not clearly err in its view of the evidence. The

court relied, inter alia, on Watson’s statement that “I done got it checked out and everything,”

which suggested that others were involved in the conspiracy; the references to other customers in

the June 5 call; Watson’s comments on June 2 that he had “to go grab it,” and that he was

“putting it together,” which suggested he stored a quantity of cocaine somewhere; and

discussions indicating that Meeks was bringing other customers to Watson. (DE 651, Sentencing

Tr., Page ID 8116–17; see also DE 692-2, Phone Call Trs., Page ID 11337, 11339, 11350,

11352, 11358–59.) It was not clearly erroneous for the district court to find—in light of these

conversations and given that Meeks specifically knew about one kilogram of cocaine—that it

was reasonably foreseeable to someone in Meeks’s position that Watson would have an

additional quantity of cocaine of slightly more than two kilograms.

In sum, there was no error in the district court’s conclusion that 3,305 grams of cocaine

were either known to Meeks or reasonably foreseeable to him, and therefore attributable to him

for sentencing purposes.

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

B.

The next component of Meeks’s sentencing argument is the contention that there was

insufficient evidence to support the district court’s conclusion that—by a preponderance of the

evidence—two kilograms of cocaine should be counted based on the empty wrappers that were

found at Watson’s house. As stated, the district court may make an estimate based on a

preponderance of the evidence, erring on the side of caution. Sandridge, 385 F.3d at 1037.

We review this finding for clear error if the defendant has properly preserved the issue.

Jeross, 521 F.3d at 570; Sandridge, 385 F.3d at 1037. Here, Meeks failed to object to the district

court’s determination that the wrappers indicated the presence of two additional kilograms. At

the first sentencing hearing, the government argued: “[T]here were two empty kilo wrappers,

empty but for the residue of cocaine. Kilo wrappers can also be scored . . . .” (DE 620, Meeks

Sentencing Tr., Page ID 7930.) Meeks’s counsel argued that the two kilograms should not be

attributable to Meeks. That argument has already been considered. But he did not object—at

any point during the remainder of the hearing, nor in his additional briefing, nor at the second

sentencing hearing, including when asked the Bostic question3—to the finding that two

additional kilos were present at Watson’s house at some point in time. He did have the

opportunity to object because it was clear that these two kilograms were being considered for

sentencing purposes. The government mentioned the wrappers in discussing the total drug

quantity at the first sentencing hearing, and the court’s calculations at the second hearing made

clear that it was including “2,305 grams of cocaine . . . from Watson’s residence,” (DE 651,

Sentencing Tr., Page ID 8108), the vast majority of which was not based on actual cocaine found

3
“If, at the conclusion of the sentencing hearing, the judge asks the parties whether they have any
objections to the proposed sentence that have not previously been raised, and the relevant party does not object, then
plain-error review applies on appeal to those arguments not preserved in the district court.” United States v.
Houston, 529 F.3d 743, 750 (6th Cir. 2008) (citing Vonner, 516 F.3d at 385).

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

at the scene. Meeks could therefore have at least argued that the evidence was insufficient to

find that the two additional kilograms had been present at the scene. He failed to raise the issue

at all.

We therefore review only for plain error. United States v. Houston, 529 F.3d 743, 750

(6th Cir. 2008). Meeks’s argument fails here because the district court did not commit an error,

let alone a plain error. See Vonner, 516 F.3d at 386 (stating that the court will only find such an

error “where the error is so plain that the trial judge was derelict in countenancing it” (internal

quotation marks omitted)). In appropriate cases, this court has upheld an estimate based on

empty packaging. United States v. Phipps, 524 F. App’x 209, 213–14 (6th Cir. 2013) (citing

similar holdings from six other circuits); United States v. Smartt, 60 F. App’x 549, 550–51 (6th

Cir. 2003) (per curiam). It was appropriate here to determine, on a preponderance of the

evidence, that the two empty wrappers, each kilogram-sized and containing cocaine residue, had

previously contained a total of two kilograms of cocaine. This conclusion was not plainly

erroneous.

C.

The final aspect of Meeks’s sentencing argument genuinely relates to procedural

reasonableness. He argues: “the district court gave no indication that it approximated drug

weight from any source, let alone two empty wrappers.” (Meeks Reply at 29; see also Meeks Br.

at 49–51.) Procedural unreasonableness includes “failing to calculate (or improperly calculating)

the Guidelines range, treating the Guidelines as mandatory, failing to consider the § 3553(a)

factors, selecting a sentence based on clearly erroneous facts, or failing to adequately explain the

chosen sentence—including an explanation for any deviation for the Guideline range.” Gall v.

United States, 552 U.S. 38, 51 (2007).

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

In order to preserve a procedural-reasonableness issue, challenging “the adequacy of the

court’s explanation for the sentence,” the defendant must specifically object to the explanation,

Vonner, 516 F.3d at 386, and must object with sufficient specificity to give the district court the

opportunity to correct the alleged error and to give this court a sufficiently detailed record to

review, United States v. Simmons, 587 F.3d 348, 356–58 (6th Cir. 2009). Despite being asked

the Bostic question, Meeks did not mention the issue. We therefore review only for plain error.

Vonner, 516 F.3d at 386.

Meeks is correct to note that the district court failed to explain that two kilograms of the

cocaine that it was counting for sentencing purposes derived from the wrapper containing

cocaine residue. The court referred on several occasions to “2,305 of cocaine seized from

Watson’s residence,” (DE 651, Sentencing Tr., Page ID 8108 (emphasis added).) This is

somewhat confusing on its face because the evidence showed that officers had clearly not seized

that quantity of cocaine.

In context, however, it is clear that the court was deriving two kilograms from the empty

wrappers, as it was entitled to do. See Phipps, 524 F. App’x at 213–14. Meeks bases his

procedural reasonableness argument entirely on the second sentencing hearing, which took place

in May 2013. But at a prior sentencing hearing, in January of that year, the court and parties

discussed the calculations in greater depth. The government explained: “[F]or the purposes of

calculation . . . we included . . . the two empty wrappers . . . containing cocaine residue, each

representing a thousand grams . . . .” (DE 620, Sentencing Tr., Page ID 7930.) Defense counsel

did not indicate any disagreement with the calculation based on the wrappers, but argued only

that the drugs found at Watson’s home were not foreseeable to Meeks. The district court ordered

several rounds of supplemental briefing on various sentencing issues. In one of those orders, the

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

court specifically required the government to brief the question of whether “the Court [could]

attribute a quantity of drugs to Defendant based on the capacity of a wrapper in which drug

residue is found.” (DE 641, Order, Page ID 8071.) The court’s question was explicitly directed

to the “two kilogram sized wrappers” that the government asked the court to consider. (Id.) The

government responded to this question in a sentencing memorandum. Thus, when the district

court referred at the second and final sentencing hearing to “2,305 seized from Watson’s

residence,” it is obvious that it was including two kilograms based on the wrappers.

As a result, we question whether the district court’s explanation of its calculation was

even an error. We need not decide whether it was because any alleged error did not “seriously

affect[] the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings,” Olano, 507 U.S. at

732 (internal quotation marks omitted). It is abundantly clear that the district court was

rationally basing it calculation of cocaine quantity based in part on the two wrappers. The

court’s failure to speak with absolute precision at the final sentencing hearing does not detract

from this conclusion. This is not, therefore, an instance in which we would exercise our

discretion to reverse the sentence even if it involved an error.

VIII.

Finally, Watson argues that his life sentence violates his Eighth Amendment right against

cruel and unusual punishments. We review a constitutional challenge to a sentence de novo.

United States v. Jones, 569 F.3d 569, 573 (6th Cir. 2009).

The district court imposed the mandatory life sentence under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b) and

851 based on Watson’s two prior convictions for serious drug offenses. Watson contends that

one of those convictions—a 1994 Michigan conviction for possession of cocaine—cannot be

used as a predicate for the § 841(b) without violating his Eighth Amendment rights. He notes

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Nos. 12-1903, 12-2199, 13-1748, United States v. Watson, et al.

that the Supreme Court’s Eight Amendment jurisprudence has recognized the inherent

differences between adults and juveniles in determining the bounds of proportionate

punishments. See, e.g., Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 570 (2005) (holding that the Eighth

Amendment bars the use of the death penalty against a defendant who was under eighteen at the

time of the crime and explaining that the differences between adults and juveniles “render

suspect any conclusion that a juvenile falls among the worst offenders”); see also Graham v.

Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 82 (2010) (holding that the Eighth Amendment prohibits “the imposition

of a life without parole sentence on a juvenile offender who did not commit homicide”); Miller v.

Alabama, 132 S. Ct. 2455, 2460 (2012) (holding that the Constitution prohibits mandatory life-

without-parole sentences for juveniles, even those convicted of homicide).

But although Watson raises this argument “to preserve [it] for further review,” he

acknowledges that this court’s binding precedent leaves no doubt that mandatory life sentences

may be imposed upon defendants in Watson’s position without offending the Eighth

Amendment. Sentences are unconstitutional only when they are “grossly disproportionate” to

the crime, United States v. Olan-Navarro, 350 F.3d 551, 554 (6th Cir. 2003) (internal quotation

marks omitted), and the “imposition of a life sentence without parole for a third felony drug

conviction is not ‘grossly disproportionate’ to the crime,” United States v. Kelsor, 665 F.3d 684,

701 (6th Cir. 2011). And we have specifically held that such a sentence is consistent with the

Eighth Amendment even if one of the prior convictions occurred when the defendant was under

eighteen. United States v. Graham, 622 F.3d 445, 461–64 (6th Cir. 2010). We are bound by

Graham and we affirm Watson’s sentence.

IX.

For the above reasons, we affirm the judgment of the district court.

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