Case: 11-14427 Date Filed: 11/08/2012 Page: 1 of 2
[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
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No. 11-14427
Non-Argument Calendar
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D. C. Docket No. 1:10-cr-20219-JAL-5
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
RAFAEL POLANCO,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Florida
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(November 8, 2012)
Before BARKETT, PRYOR and EDMONDSON, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
Case: 11-14427 Date Filed: 11/08/2012 Page: 2 of 2
Rafael Polanco appeals his conviction -- following a bench trial -- and 87-
month sentence for conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 1956.
Briefly stated, the appeal presents these issues:
1. Whether the evidence regarding the money transactions was sufficient
to support a conclusion that Polanco knew or was deliberately
ignorant to the fact that the money came from drug trafficking.
2. Whether the district court committed clear error in applying an
enhancement for knowing or believing the laundered funds were from
drug trafficking, and denying Polanco’s request for a minor role
adjustment.
The evidence at trial of the nature and circumstances of the money
transactions (related to the Venezuelan black market Bolivar exchange) was
sufficient to support Polanco’s conviction for knowing or being deliberately
ignorant to the fact that the money was from drug trafficking. The district court
also did not commit clear error in applying a guideline enhancement based on
Polanco’s knowledge of the money’s connection to drugs. And the district court
did not commit clear error in denying Polanco’s request for a minor role
adjustment: he was only being held responsible for his conduct in the conspiracy.
Accordingly, we affirm Polanco’s conviction and sentence.
AFFIRMED.
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