United States v. Bams

The Fifth Circuit affirmed defendant's convictions of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and use of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering. In this case, the officer stopped defendant because he believed that defendant did not "safely clear" a tractor-trailer when he tried to pass the trailer on the road. The court held that the initial traffic stop was justified, and the officer did not unreasonably extend the detention because the officer had reasonable suspicion that defendant was engaged in drug trafficking. The court also held that the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to conclude that defendant reached an agreement to distribute drugs with another individual. Furthermore, a rational jury could infer that the money was related to the drug-trafficking conspiracy. Finally, the district court did not err by determining that defendant was a career offender. The court disposed of defendant's remaining claims and affirmed the judgment. View "United States v. Bams" on Justia Law