Criminal Law: Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs-Level Increase-Importation of Drugs

Defendants challenged their sentences for conspiracy to distribute drugs, arguing that the district court erred in applying a sentencing enhancement after finding that the conspiracy involved the importation of drugs from another country and finding other aggravating factors as to several of the defendants.

Where the broker who imported the drugs into the U.S. was an unindicted member of the conspiracy, there was sufficient evidence for the district court to impose the sentencing enhancement and there was no error in the disparity in defendants’ sentences.

Judgment is affirmed.

U.S. v. Werkmeister (MLW No. 79587/Case Nos. 21-2690, 21-3709, 21-3752, 21-3753, 21-3924 – 12 pages) (U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, Colloton, J.) Appealed from U.S. District Court, Northern District of Iowa, Williams, J. (Rockne Ole Cole, of Iowa City, IA; Steven Morrison, of Grand Forks, ND; Webb Wasmer, of Marion, IA; Bradley Price, of Urbandale, IA; Cory John Goldensoph, of Cedar Rapids, IA for appellants) (Dillan Ray Edwards, AUSA, of Cedar Rapids, IA for appellee)