United States v. Charles Heard

NOT FOR PUBLICATION FILED
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS JUL 11 2022
MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, No. 18-10218
No. 18-10228
Plaintiff-Appellee, No. 18-10239
No. 18-10248
v. No. 18-10258

CHARLES HEARD, AKA Cheese, D.C. Nos.
3:13-cr-00764-WHO-7
Defendant-Appellant. 3:13-cr-00764-WHO-11
3:13-cr-00764-WHO-8
3:13-cr-00764-WHO-10
3:13-cr-00764-WHO-5

MEMORANDUM*

Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Northern District of California
William Horsley Orrick, District Judge, Presiding

Argued and Submitted October 19, 2021
Submission Vacated October 27, 2021
Resubmitted July 11, 2022
San Francisco, California

Before: BADE and BUMATAY, Circuit Judges, and BERMAN,** District Judge.

*
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent
except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
**
The Honorable Richard M. Berman, United States District Judge for
the Southern District of New York, sitting by designation.
In these consolidated appeals, Defendants-Appellants Charles Heard,

Jaquian Young, Esau Ferdinand, Monzell Harding, Jr., and Adrian Gordon

challenge their convictions and sentences for various crimes arising from their

participation in the Central Divisadero Playas (“CDP”), a street gang operating in

San Francisco’s Fillmore District. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291

and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a). We affirm, in part, and vacate and remand, in part.1

1. Motions to Sever Trial and for New Trial. Ferdinand and Young

appeal the district court’s denial of their motions to sever, and their motions for

new trial. See Fed. R. Crim. P. 14. “Criminal defendants bear a heavy burden

when attempting to obtain reversal of a district court’s denial of a motion to sever.”

United States v. Johnson, 297 F.3d 845, 855 (9th Cir. 2002). We reverse “only

when the joint trial was so manifestly prejudicial as to require the trial judge to

exercise his discretion [on the motion to sever] in just one way, by ordering a

separate trial.” Id. (alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted).

The district court recognized the correct legal standard, and its application of

that standard was not illogical, implausible, or lacking support in the record.

United States v. Espinoza, 880 F.3d 506, 511 (9th Cir. 2018). Trying Ferdinand

and Young together was not “so manifestly prejudicial” as to mandate separate

1
We grant the Appellants’ unopposed motions for judicial notice. Dkts 34,
44. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 201(b); Reyn’s Pasta Bella, LLC v. Visa USA, Inc., 442
F.3d 741, 746 n.6 (9th Cir. 2006).

2
trials. Their defenses were not mutually exclusive, considering evidence of

possible third-party involvement. See United States v. Tootick, 952 F.2d 1078,

1081 (9th Cir. 1991) (explaining that mutually exclusive defenses occur when two

defendants claim innocence but blame each other and the “acquittal of one

codefendant would necessarily call for the conviction of the other”).

Ferdinand complains that he was prejudiced by the testimony Young’s

counsel elicited on cross-examination of the government’s witnesses, but these

isolated instances did not give rise to “compelling prejudice necessary to mandate

a severance.” United States v. Sherlock, 962 F.2d 1349, 1363 (9th Cir. 1992). Nor

did the testimony of a government informant who did not refer to Ferdinand. See

Zafiro v. United States, 506 U.S. 534, 539 (1993) (indicating that Bruton error

could give rise to risk of prejudice sufficient to warrant separate trials); Mason v.

Yarborough, 447 F.3d 693, 695 (9th Cir. 2006) (“Richardson . . . specifically

exempts [from Bruton] a statement, not incriminating on its face, that implicates

the defendant only in connection to other admitted evidence.”).

Young and Ferdinand also challenge the district court’s treatment of Tierra

Lewis’s testimony and the admission of Exhibit 779, on which Lewis had circled

an image of Ferdinand in a photographic lineup and wrote that Ferdinand, “E.

Sauce,” shot Jelvon Helton, “Poo Bear.” Under the circumstances of this case, the

district court’s rulings regarding Lewis’s testimony and the photo lineup were a

3
reasonable exercise of its discretion and a reasonable application of Rules 403 and

801(d)(1) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. See United States v. Flores-Blanco,

623 F.3d 912, 919 and n.3 (9th Cir. 2010) (Rule 403); United States v. Collicott, 92

F.3d 973, 978 (9th Cir. 1996) (as amended) (hearsay exceptions). Those rulings

did not violate Young’s constitutional right to present a defense, Crane v.

Kentucky, 476 U.S. 683, 690 (1986), or to argue that defense to the jury, Herring v.

New York, 422 U.S. 853, 859 (1975). Young was able to present the substance of

his defense through witness testimony, cross-examination, and during closing

argument.

Further, the court minimized the prejudicial effect of Lewis’s testimony and

the photographic evidence against Ferdinand by giving limiting instructions that

Ferdinand has not shown to be deficient. See United States v. Fernandez, 388 F.3d

1199, 1241 (9th Cir. 2004) (limiting instructions important factor for determining

prejudice related to severance), as modified, 425 F.3d 1248 (9th Cir. 2005);

Johnson, 297 F.3d at 856. Additionally, while Young did argue that Lewis had

identified someone besides him as Jelvon Helton’s shooter, Young also highlighted

other weaknesses in the government’s evidence related to that incident.

We conclude that it was not an abuse of discretion to deny the motions for

severance or the related new trial motions.

2. Motions to Suppress. The district court did not err in denying

4
Young’s motion to suppress evidence found during a warrantless search of his car.

The district court correctly concluded that the search fell within the automobile

exception to the Fourth Amendment. See United States v. Faagai, 869 F.3d 1145,

1150 (9th Cir. 2017) (discussing warrantless searches of automobiles). The police

officers had probable cause to believe that the car contained contraband or

evidence of a crime, at least as to the car’s passenger, when he had marijuana on

his person immediately after exiting the car, and he tried to discard the car keys.

See United States v. King, 985 F.3d 702, 707 (9th Cir. 2021) (discussing probable

cause).

The district court did not err in denying the motion to suppress recordings of

informant Marshall’s June 18, 2014 conversations with Young. Marshall

surreptitiously recorded conversations during which Young discussed pimping

conduct for which he had already been charged and other topics pertaining to

uncharged conduct. The district court found that the government violated the Sixth

Amendment and suppressed Young’s statements about the charged pimping

conduct. See Massiah v. United States, 377 U.S. 201, 206 (1964) (holding that

after a defendant’s right to counsel has attached, the government violates the Sixth

Amendment when it uses against the defendant his own incriminating statements

that the government deliberately elicited in the absence of his counsel, either

directly or through an informant).

5
The district court did not suppress Young’s statements about uncharged

conduct. Its ruling did not violate the Sixth Amendment, which is “offense specific”

and “does not attach until a prosecution is commenced.” McNeil v. Wisconsin, 501

U.S. 171, 175 (1991); see United States v. Hayes, 231 F.3d 663, 676 (9th Cir. 2000)

(en banc) (holding that the admission at trial of “surreptitiously” recorded statements

did not violate the Sixth Amendment when formal charges had not been initiated).

Additionally, for evidence to be suppressed as the fruit of a Massiah violation, it

“must at a minimum have been the ‘but for’ cause of the discovery of the evidence.”

United States v Kimball, 884 F.2d 1274, 1279 (9th Cir. 1989) (as amended). Young

failed to show the required causal link.

3. Other Evidentiary Rulings. The district court did not abuse its

discretion by admitting evidence of the so-called silver van robberies. “In

conspiracy prosecutions, the government has considerable leeway in offering

evidence of other offenses” not charged in the indictment. United States v.

Bonanno, 467 F.2d 14, 17 (9th Cir. 1972) (evidence of prior illegal acts

“admissible to show some material facts relating to the conspiracy charged”). This

evidence was relevant to prove the existence of the CDP enterprise and to connect

Harding to both the enterprise and to concerted criminal conduct with co-defendant

and CDP affiliate Gordon. See United States v. Rizk, 660 F.3d 1125, 1131–32 (9th

Cir. 2011) (“[U]ncharged acts may be admissible as direct evidence of the

6
conspiracy itself.” (quoting United States v. Thai, 29 F.3d 785, 812 (2d Cir.

1994))).

The district court permissibly excluded Dr. Pezdek’s expert testimony

regarding eyewitness identifications. The expert disclosure was untimely, and,

under Rule 403, the court had the discretion to balance the probative value of the

proffered testimony against prejudice to the government and the risk of juror

confusion. See United States v. Rincon, 28 F.3d 921, 925–26, 925 n.6 (9th Cir. 1994)

(affirming exclusion of expert testimony under Rule 403). While the expert’s

testimony may have been “informative,” the court provided a comprehensive jury

instruction discussing many of the same factors regarding eyewitness testimony “to

guide the jury’s deliberations.” Id. at 925.

The district court did not abuse its discretion by denying a motion under 28

U.S.C. § 2241(a) for a writ of habeas corpus ad testificandum for Timon O’Connor,

who was proffered to impeach the government’s cooperating witness—Brown. The

court considered the factors relevant to issuing such a writ. See Wiggins v. Alameda

County, 717 F.2d 466, 468 n.1 (9th Cir. 1983) (per curiam). Heard failed to provide

reliable information as to several of those factors, and the proffered testimony would

not have “substantially further[ed] the resolution of the case,” id. (internal quotation

marks omitted), because it was cumulative. The district court’s ruling did not

infringe Heard’s right to present a defense. See Taylor v. Illinois, 484 U.S. 400, 410

7
(1988) (right to offer witness testimony is not “unfettered”). Heard and the other

appellants were able to pursue the theory that Brown was an untrustworthy criminal

on cross-examination.

Over Young’s objection, the district court admitted informant Marshall’s

notes of his unsuccessfully recorded jailhouse conversations with Young to

rehabilitate Marshall on re-direct examination under Rule 801(d)(1)(B). On

appeal, Young argues that Marshall had a motive to lie—his cooperation

agreement with the government—that arose before, and continued during, the time

he made the notes. See Tome v. United States, 513 U.S. 150, 167 (1995) (holding

that Rule 801(d)(1)(B) includes the “common-law premotive rule” that prior

consistent statements were admissible to rebut a charge of recent fabrication or

improper motive or influence, only if the statements were made before the motive

to lie arose). The government argues that Marshall had no way of knowing

whether the recordings were successful at the time he made his notes and, thus, he

had a motive to be truthful.

Even if the court erred in admitting Marshall’s notes, which we do not

decide, it is not “more probable than not” that their admission affected the verdict.

See United States v. Rohrer, 708 F.2d 429, 432 (9th Cir. 1983) (as amended).

Marshall’s testimony, including his notes, was central to the government’s case,

but Appellants were able to thoroughly cross-examine him. Additionally, other

8
portions of Marshall’s testimony implicated Young, as did other evidence

connecting Young to the murder of Jelvon Helton. Thus, the notes were “unlikely

to decide the case,” id. at 433, and their admission does not constitute reversible

error.

The district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of the

uncharged Levexier murder. Gordon relies on United States v. Murray, arguing

that “evidence in a murder trial that the defendant committed another prior murder

poses a high risk of unfair prejudice.” 103 F.3d 310, 319 (3d Cir. 1997). Unlike

the defendant in Murray, Gordon was not charged with murder, and the evidence

was relevant to prove the gang rivalry between CDP and KOP and Gordon’s

association with CDP, as opposed to proving Gordon’s “homicidal character.” See

id. at 316–17. Gordon’s other arguments challenging the admission of the murder

are not persuasive.

Moreover, even if the court erred in admitting the related autopsy

photographs, which we do not decide, it is not “more probable than not” that their

admission affected the verdict. See Rohrer, 708 F.2d at 432. The photographs

were one piece of evidence during a weeks-long trial, and other evidence

connected Gordon and the other appellants to the enterprise.2

2
Gordon also challenges the admission of blood-stained clothing and bullet
fragments. He waived this issue by failing to object to that evidence at trial. See
Marbled Murrelet v. Babbitt, 83 F.3d 1060, 1066 (9th Cir. 1996) (as amended).

9
4. Sufficiency of the Evidence. Several Appellants challenge the

sufficiency of the evidence supporting their convictions for Racketeer Influenced

and Corrupt Organizations Act (“RICO”) conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. § 1962(d).

The indictment alleged an association-in-fact enterprise, and the government

presented evidence of an ongoing entity with a common purpose, which included

shooting at and killing rivals, from which a rational trier of fact could have

concluded that CDP constitutes an association-in-fact enterprise for purposes of 18

U.S.C. § 1961(4). For example, CDP had longevity; an identity separate from its

members, including identifying hand gestures and numbers; an informal hierarchy,

including respected senior members and “shooters”; shared resources, which

included guns and gang leaders giving younger members money to “benefit[] the

gang.” Notably, gang members earned respect by killing rival gang members.

Other evidence illustrated Appellants’ conduct as gang members, including

shooting at and killing rivals and participating in witness intimidation.

Considering that the definition of enterprise “is not very demanding,” United

States v. Christensen, 828 F.3d 763, 780 (9th Cir. 2015) (internal quotation marks

omitted), and should not be construed too narrowly, see Boyle v. United States, 556

And he has not shown plain error. See Lam v. City of Los Banos, 976 F.3d 986,
1006 (9th Cir. 2020).

10
U.S. 938, 948–49 (2009), this evidence is sufficient to show CDP is an association-

in-fact enterprise. 18 U.S.C. § 1961(4).

Sufficient evidence established Harding’s and Gordon’s intent to participate

in the conspiracy. See Smith v United States, 568 U.S. 106, 110 (2013) (RICO

conspiracy requires the government to prove, among other things, “that the

defendant knowingly and willfully participated in the agreement (that he was a

member of the conspiracy)”); Fernandez, 388 F.3d at 1230 (“[A] defendant is guilty

of conspiracy to violate § 1962(c) if the evidence showed that [he] knowingly

agree[d] to facilitate a scheme which includes the operation or management of a

RICO enterprise.” (third alteration in original) (internal quotation marks omitted)).

The government presented evidence that Harding was a member of CDP, had

a tattoo honoring a deceased CDP member, referred to himself with numbers

associated with CDP, participated with other CDP members in a witness intimidation

incident, was present when CDP members shot at a rival gang, and participated in

robberies with other gang members. This evidence was sufficient to show his intent

to participate in the CDP enterprise and his knowledge that one of its purposes was

to kill rival gang members. See Christensen, 828 F.3d at 780 (“[A] RICO conspiracy

under § 1962(d) requires only that the defendant was aware of the essential nature

and scope of the enterprise and intended to participate in it.” (internal quotation

marks omitted)).

11
The government introduced evidence that Gordon “claimed CDP,” referred to

himself with numbers associated with CDP, and associated on social media with

CDP members. The government also presented evidence from which the jury could

reasonably infer that Gordon committed robberies with CDP members, and it

presented evidence that he shot at members of a rival gang. Notably, there was

evidence of his involvement in the attempted murder of Patrick McCree, as associate

of a rival gang. This evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find that Gordon

was aware of the essential nature and scope of the enterprise and intended to

participate in it. Christensen, 828 F.3d at 780.

Gordon challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to establish that Patrick

McCree was shot “for the purpose of” maintaining or increasing Gordon’s position

in the enterprise, as required to support his convictions for attempted murder in aid

of racketeering in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(5) (Count 9), and assault with a

dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering in violation of § 1959(a)(3) (Count 10)

(VICAR convictions). A rational jury could have concluded that the purpose

element of the VICAR statutes was demonstrated by testimony that CDP members

earned “respect” by “[k]illing a rival gang member,” and by text messages showing

that McCree was associated with CDP’s rival gang, KOP, and that there was friction

between the gangs. See United States v. Banks, 514 F.3d 959, 969–70 (9th Cir. 2008)

(as amended) (holding that the “purpose element of the VICAR statute” is satisfied

12
when the defendant’s motivation was, in part, to enhance his position in the

enterprise “or if the violent act was committed as an integral aspect of his

membership with the gang”); see also United States v. Rodriguez, 971 F.3d 1005,

1009–10 (9th Cir. 2020).

5. Jury Instructions. Ferdinand, Young, Gordon, and Harding challenge

the instruction on the elements of a conspiracy to violate RICO, 18 U.S.C. §

1962(d). Appellants concede that plain error review applies, and we find no such

error. The RICO instructions, when viewed “as a whole in the context of the entire

trial,” United States v. Moore, 109 F.3d 1456, 1465 (9th Cir. 1997) (en banc)

(internal quotation marks omitted), adequately advised the jury of the need to

prove each defendant’s agreement. See Fernandez, 388 F.3d at 1246–47.

We also reject Gordon’s and Young’s challenges to the Pinkerton jury

instructions. See United States v. Gonzalez, 906 F.3d 784, 791 (9th Cir. 2018)

(discussing Pinkerton liability). There was sufficient evidence to support giving

these instructions. See id. The district court did not abuse its discretion in giving

the instructions and doing so did not violate due process. See United States v.

Bingham, 653 F.3d 983, 997–98 (9th Cir. 2011).

6. Young’s and Heard’s Motions for a Mistrial. The district court did not

abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of Young’s past pimping of two minors,

and denying Young’s motion for a mistrial on Count 22, attempting to entice a minor

13
under the age of eighteen to engage in prostitution in violation of 18 U.S.C.

§ 2422(b). See Fed. R. Evid. 404(b)(2) (other act evidence is admissible to prove

“motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of

mistake, or lack of accident”).

Officer Angalet testified extensively about the facts supporting Count 22,

including telling Young that her undercover persona was sixteen, and the

government presented evidence that Young thought Angalet was under eighteen.

See United States v. Cherer, 513 F.3d 1150, 1154 (9th Cir. 2008) (explaining that

when a defendant “has targeted an adult decoy rather than an actual minor,” the

government must prove that “the defendant . . . believed the target was a minor”);