Case library · Square Grouper
Running Without Lights
United States v. Villegas-Rojas (1983)
Charge: Drug smuggling / conspiracyCourt: U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th CircuitState: FloridaDocket: Square Grouper
Was there enough to show this crewman knowingly joined the venture, or only that he happened to be aboard?
The facts
A seventy-foot boat was spotted heading north-west, four or five days out of Panama. A placard bearing another name covered her own. She flew no flag and showed no home port. When the cutter appeared she killed every running light and ran, and the chase lasted an hour. She carried no fishing gear and no ice, and food for five men for six days. Her hold held 15,700 pounds of marijuana.
You have the facts the court had. Guilty or not guilty? Call it in the game with your friends, then see what the court actually decided. Wrong call, you drink.
Citation: United States v. Villegas-Rojas, 715 F.2d 564 (11th Cir. 1983)
Read more at openjurist.org. The source reveals the outcome.