United States v. Parker

Defendants Parker, Veltrez Black, Johnson, and Bender appealed their convictions for conspiring to possess firearms in a conspiracy involving gang members with felony convictions who enlisted "straw purchasers." In regard to Veltrez Black's contentions, the Fifth Circuit held that the district court did not err in denying his motion for a mistrial; the district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the government's statements, nor did it abuse its discretion in allowing evidence to support these statements; the court rejected Veltrez Black's remaining evidentiary contentions; the evidence was sufficient to support Veltrez Black's conviction for conspiracy; but the court vacated Veltrez Black's firearm possession conviction due to insufficient evidence and remanded for resentencing. In regard to Bender's contentions, the court affirmed defendant's conviction but vacated defendant's sentence because it was procedurally unsound due to a Guidelines calculation error. Finally, the court affirmed Parker and Johnson's convictions. View "United States v. Parker" on Justia Law