United States v. Johnson

For seven or eight years, a group of conspirators bought and transported drugs from California to St. Louis for resale. Johnson and Alexander (defendants), though not original members, later joined activities: witnesses testified Johnson often rode along as an escort for a courier vehicle carrying drug money or drugs and once helped unload a courier truck, while Alexander twice flew with other conspirators to buy drugs. Both defendants testified they were merely present and didn't know of or participate in the conspiracy. The jury convicted all four defendants, and Johnson and Alexander appealed, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence on the conspiracy charge.