United States v. Abrego-Villarreal

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT March 2, 2006 Charles R. Fulbruge III Clerk No. 05-40268 Summary Calendar UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff-Appellee, versus HECTOR ABREGO-VILLARREAL, Defendant-Appellant. -------------------- Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas USDC No. 5:04-CR-1230-ALL -------------------- Before KING, WIENER, and DeMOSS, Circuit Judges. PER CURIAM:* A jury convicted Hector Abrego-Villareal (Abrego) of importation of, and possession with intent to distribute, more than five kilograms of cocaine. Abrego contends that the evidence was insufficient to prove he knew cocaine was concealed in the car he owned and was driving. The circumstantial evidence, viewed with its reasonable inferences in a light favorable to the verdict, supported the jury’s conclusion that Abrego was aware of the concealed cocaine. See Jackson v. * Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4. No. 05-40268 -2- Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). The evidence included Abrego’s false or inconsistent statements to law enforcement agents concerning his travel documents and travel history, recent alterations made to the car, the value of the concealed cocaine, and Abrego’s assertions that he had not loaned anyone the car except for a “few minutes” at lunch time on an unspecified date. See United State v. Ramos-Garcia, 184 F.3d 463, 466 (5th Cir. 1999) (high value of contraband); United States v. Ortega Reyna, 148 F.3d 540, 544 (5th Cir. 1998) (other factors). Because the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to infer Abrego’s guilty knowledge, his conviction is affirmed. Abrego contends that the district court abused its discretion by ordering him to cooperate in the collection of a DNA sample as a condition of supervised release. This claim is dismissed for lack of jurisdiction because it is not ripe for review. See United States v. Riascos-Cuenu, 428 F.3d 1100, 1101-02 (5th Cir. 2005). JUDGMENT AFFIRMED; APPEAL DISMISSED IN PART.