U.S. v. Medina

Dist. Ct. did not err in sentencing defendant to 190-month term of incarceration on drug conspiracy charge based in part on finding that instant conspiracy involved between 15 to 50 kilograms of cocaine. Ct. rejected defendant’s argument that govt. was required to prove instant drug quantity beyond reasonable doubt, and Ct. further found that there was sufficient evidence to support Dist. Ct.’s finding under preponderance of evidence standard that conspiracy concerned at least 15 kilograms of cocaine where: (1) police found 9.5 kilograms of cocaine, plus approximately $124,000 in cash from defendant’s home on day of his arrest that suggested that defendant was high volume dealer of cocaine; and (2) another individual stated that he had participated in long-term series of cocaine sales with defendant.