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                                                         [DO NOT PUBLISH]



             IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

                     FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                       ________________________

                             No. 12-14929
                         Non-Argument Calendar
                       ________________________

                D.C. Docket No. 7:12-cr-00003-HL-TQL-1

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                               Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                  versus

MARTIN TERRELL TILLMAN,
a.k.a. Bo Gator,
a.k.a. Gator,

                                                          Defendant-Appellant.
                       ________________________

                Appeal from the United States District Court
                    for the Middle District of Georgia
                      ________________________

                             (August 29, 2013)



Before CARNES, Chief Judge, BARKETT and BLACK, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:
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       Martin Tillman appeals his conviction and sentence of life imprisonment,

imposed after his conviction by jury trial for one count of conspiracy to possess

with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, in violation of

21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(ii), and 846. Tillman asserts several issues on

appeal, which we address in turn. After review, we affirm Tillman’s conviction

and sentence.

Transcripts

       Tillman first contends the district court erred in allowing the jury to consider

transcripts of recorded telephone conversations during its deliberations in the jury

room without the accompanying recordings.

       District courts have “the authority to allow juries to read properly

authenticated transcripts while listening to taped conversations.” United States v.

Garcia, 

, 1283 (11th Cir. 1988). “[T]he use of a transcript as a guide

is analogous to the use of expert testimony as a device aiding a jury in

understanding other types of real evidence.” United States v. Onori, 

,

947 (5th Cir. 1976).1 The proper protocol in this Circuit when a party disputes the

accuracy of a transcript is for “each side [to] produce its own version of a transcript

or its own version of the disputed portions. In addition, each side may put on


       1
          In Bonner v. City of Prichard, 

, 1209 (11th Cir.1981) (en banc), this
Court adopted as binding precedent all decisions of the former Fifth Circuit handed down prior
to close of business on September 30, 1981.
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evidence supporting the accuracy of its own version or challenging the accuracy of

the other side’s version.” United States v. Hogan, 

, 1376 (11th Cir.

1993) (quotations omitted) (concluding a defendant’s claim of error failed because

he did not offer his own transcript and did not point out inaccuracies in the

government’s transcript). “A district court need not find that the transcript is

perfectly accurate prior to its admission.” 

for transcripts to

be admitted into evidence, “there must be some evidence that the transcripts are

accurate[,] that the words are accurately reproduced[,] and the voices accurately

identified.” United States v. Rochan, 

, 1251 (5th Cir. 1977).

      It is not error to allow a transcript to go into the jury room unless the

defendant demonstrates the transcript either is inaccurate or causes him specific

prejudice. United States v. Williford, 

, 1503 (11th Cir. 1985).

“[T]ranscripts are evidence admissible to assist the jury in identifying speakers,

and . . . absent anything more than a generalized claim of prejudice, we will not

find error in the transcripts being allowed in the jury room.” United States v.

Nixon, 

, 901 (11th Cir. 1990) (citations omitted).

      The district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the jury to consider

the transcripts of recorded telephone conversations. See United States v. Hawkins,

, 1493 (11th Cir. 1990) (reviewing an evidentiary ruling for an abuse

of discretion). Agent Jim Grady and Sergeant Rob Picciotti testified the transcripts


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they prepared were accurate to the best of their abilities, thus satisfying the

requirement that “there must be some evidence that the transcripts are accurate[,]

that the words are accurately reproduced[,] and the voices accurately identified,”

see 

. Further, throughout the trial, Tillman did not object

to the admission of any of the transcripts prepared by the Government.

      On two occasions, however, Tillman challenged the accuracy of the

transcripts through cross-examination. On cross-examination, DEA Special Agent

Rufus Wallace acknowledged that one of the transcripts contained notations

indicating that, at certain points in one of the recorded conversations, Isaac Camon

was speaking “to Tillman,” but Tillman was not on the recording, and Wallace

could not say that Camon was actually addressing Tillman at those points. Second,

Christopher Phillips acknowledged on cross-examination that, as shown on one of

the video recordings of his interactions with Tillman, he had spoken with Tillman

about HGH, but this did not appear in the accompanying transcript.

      The Government effectively negated Tillman’s first challenge by eliciting

testimony from Wallace that, on the recording, Camon indicated he was speaking

to “Gator,” Tillman’s nickname. As for the second challenge, the inaccuracy in the

Phillips transcript cannot translate the district court’s decision to allow the




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transcript into the jury room into error because Tillman makes no more than a

generalized claim of prejudice. See 

Drug quantity finding

       Tillman challenges his base offense level of 38 under U.S.S.G.

§ 2D1.1(c)(1) on the grounds that (1) the district court failed to make an explicit

finding of the quantity of drugs for which he was responsible, and (2) the

calculation in the presentence investigation report (PSI) of the quantity of drugs

involved in his offense was speculative. We review for clear error the district

court’s findings of fact supporting a sentence, including its determination of the

drug quantity attributable to a defendant. United States v. Almedina, 

, 1315 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 

(2012). A factual finding at

sentencing is clearly erroneous when “although there is evidence to support it, the

reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction

that a mistake has been committed.” United States v. Barrington, 

,

1195 (11th Cir. 2011), cert. denied, 

(2012).


       2
          In any event, even if the court erred in allowing that particular transcript into the jury
room, the error was harmless because the court instructed the jury the recordings were the real
evidence and the jury could re-listen to the recordings if it wished to do so. Moreover, the issue
of the Phillips transcript’s inaccuracy was squarely before the jury during Tillman’s closing
argument. Finally, given the relatively tangential nature of Phillips’ testimony, and the
overwhelming evidence of guilt presented by the testimony of the remaining witnesses, any
consideration by the jury of the possibly inaccurate transcript “had no substantial influence on
the outcome,” and, therefore, reversal is not warranted. See 

(“[W]here an error had no substantial influence on the outcome, and sufficient evidence
uninfected by error supports the verdict, reversal is not warranted.”).
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      For sentencing purposes, the government bears the burden of establishing

drug quantity by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Rodriguez,

, 1296 (11th Cir. 2005). The district court must ensure that the

government carries this burden by presenting reliable and specific evidence. United

States v. Lawrence, 

, 1566 (11th Cir. 1995). “Where there is no drug

seizure or the drug amount seized does not reflect the scale of the offense, the court

shall approximate the drug quantity.” United States v. Frazier, 

, 1506

(11th Cir. 1996) (quotations omitted). In estimating the drug quantity attributable

to the defendant, the court may rely on evidence demonstrating the average

frequency and amount of drug sales over a given period of time. 

be based on fair, accurate, and conservative estimates of the

quantity of drugs attributable to a defendant, . . . [but it] cannot be based on

calculations of drug quantities that are merely speculative.” United States v.

Zapata, 

, 1359 (11th Cir. 1998).

      The district court did not clearly err in applying a base offense level of 38.

See U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c)(1) (assigning a base offense level of 38 where the

defendant’s offense involves 150 kilograms or more of cocaine). Although the

district court did not make explicit factual findings about the quantity of drugs

involved in Tillman’s offense, its failure to do so does not preclude meaningful

appellate review because clearly identifiable evidence amply supported its


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sentencing decision. See United States v. Tobin, 

, 1309 (11th Cir.),

cert. denied, 

(2012) (explaining in order to facilitate appellate

review, a district court should make explicit factual findings that underpin its

sentencing decision, “[b]ut the failure to make specific findings does not preclude

meaningful appellate review if the court’s sentencing decision is based on ‘clearly

identifiable evidence’”).

      William McKeithen testified that, six months after his release from prison in

March 2008, or September 2008, and up until mid-2010, he obtained a kilogram of

cocaine once or twice weekly from Camon and Tillman. This testimony leads to a

conservative estimate of 72 kilograms of cocaine attributable to Tillman through

the conspiracy (1 kilogram per week for 18 months equals 72 kilograms). Gerald

Williams testified that he obtained at least 1 kilogram of cocaine from the

conspiracy on each of 15 to 21 trips to Ray City. After Camon and Tillman told

him it was too dangerous to conduct business in Ray City due to the presence of a

camera, he obtained cocaine from the conspiracy between 5 and 9 times in

Valdosta. This testimony leads to a conservative estimate of 20 kilograms of

cocaine attributable to Tillman through the conspiracy (1 kilogram per trip for

20 trips equals 20 kilograms). Tony McKinney testified that, between 2002 and

2003, he obtained around 2 or 3 kilograms of cocaine from the conspiracy

approximately 10 times. This testimony leads to a conservative estimate of 20


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kilograms of cocaine attributable to Tillman through the conspiracy (2 kilograms

per transaction for 10 transactions equals 20 kilograms). Between 2005 and 2008,

McKinney obtained 10 or 11 kilograms of cocaine from the conspiracy

approximately 15 or 20 times. This testimony leads to a conservative estimate of

150 kilograms of cocaine attributable to Tillman through the conspiracy (10

kilograms per transaction for 15 transactions equals 150 kilograms).

      Accordingly, the testimony of just these 3 witnesses leads to a conservative

estimate of 262 kilograms of cocaine attributable to Tillman through the

conspiracy. This estimate is not “speculative,” see 

, but

rather is based on testimony about the average frequency and amount of drug sales

over a given period of time, see 

. Moreover, Tillman

offers no argument to suggest that this testimony was inaccurate or untrustworthy.

Accordingly, the district court did not clearly err in overruling Tillman’s objection

to the base offense level.

Possession of firearm enhancement

      Tillman asserts the court erred in applying a two-level enhancement for

possession of firearm, under § 2D1.1(b)(1), because it failed to make an explicit

finding that the individuals who possessed firearms were his co-conspirators.

Whether a firearm was possessed in connection with an offense is a factual finding




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that, when used for sentencing purposes, we review for clear error. United States

v. McClain, 

, 1284 (11th Cir. 2001).

      Under the Sentencing Guidelines, a two-level enhancement is added where

“a dangerous weapon (including a firearm) was possessed” in connection with a

drug offense. U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1). The enhancement applies where a firearm

was possessed by a co-conspirator, provided the following requirements are met:

“(1) the possessor of the firearm was a co-conspirator, (2) the possession was in

furtherance of the conspiracy, (3) the defendant was a member of the conspiracy at

the time of possession, and (4) the co-conspirator possession was reasonably

foreseeable by the defendant.” United States v. Fields, 

, 1359 (11th

Cir. 2005) (quotations omitted).

      The enhancement applies “if the weapon was present, unless it is clearly

improbable that the weapon was connected with the offense.” U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1,

comment. (n.11(A)). The government must show “the firearm was present at the

site of the charged conduct” or the firearm was possessed “during conduct

associated with the offense of conviction.” United States v. Stallings, 

, 1220 (11th Cir. 2006). Once the government meets this burden, then the

evidentiary burden shifts to the defendant to demonstrate that a connection

between the weapon and the offense was “clearly improbable.” 

    Date Filed: 08/29/2013    Page: 10 of 16


      As an initial matter, the district court did not fail to make a finding that

Tillman’s co-conspirators possessed firearms in connection with the offense. The

court explicitly stated that Tillman’s “associates and confederates” possessed

firearms “in this conspiracy.” Therefore, the district court stated the individuals

who possessed firearms were Tillman’s co-conspirators.

      The evidence at trial showed overwhelmingly that Camon was Tillman’s

chief co-conspirator, and Grady testified that Camon twice was found to have

firearms in his home, in 2006 and 2011. Additionally, Grady testified two other

members of the conspiracy were arrested in the possession of a handgun. While

they did not feature prominently in the testimony at trial, Agent Grady stated these

two individuals were arrested in a car registered to Camon while on a trip to Texas

in 2005 to purchase cocaine for the Camon organization, thus evidencing their

membership in the conspiracy.

      Their possession of the handgun “during conduct associated with the offense

of conviction,” a trip to obtain drugs for the conspiracy, and Camon’s possession

of firearms in his home, a “site of the charged conduct,” show these firearms were

possessed in furtherance of the conspiracy. See 

the

conspiracy began, at the earliest, in 1999 or 2000, when he began selling cocaine to

McKeithen. Accordingly, all of these firearms possessed by Tillman’s




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co-conspirators in furtherance of the conspiracy were possessed while Tillman was

a member of the conspiracy.

      Lastly, Grady testified about a conversation between Tillman and Camon

about Camon’s then-pending plea to a firearm offense. This constituted direct

evidence of Tillman’s knowledge that Camon had possessed firearms, thus

indicating that “co-conspirator possession was reasonably foreseeable” to Tillman.

See 

. Accordingly, because Tillman’s co-conspirators

possessed firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy, and such possession was

reasonably foreseeable to Tillman, the district court did not err in applying the two-

level enhancement.

Maintenance of premises for the manufacture/distribution of drugs

      Tillman argues the court erred in applying a two-level enhancement, under

§ 2D1.1(b)(12), for maintenance of a premises for the manufacture or distribution

of drugs. Whether or not a defendant maintained a premises for the manufacture or

distribution of drugs is a factual issue subject to clear error review. See

.

      Section 2D1.1(b)(12) was new to the November 2011 Guidelines Manual,

and implemented a directive from the Fair Sentencing Act, which directed the

Sentencing Commission to add a two-level enhancement “as generally described in

. . . (21 U.S.C. 856).” Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-220, § (6)(2),


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124 Stat. 2372, 2373 (2010). The “disorderly house” statute makes it illegal to

“knowingly open, lease, rent, use, or maintain any place, whether permanently or

temporarily, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled

substance.” 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1). Section 2D1.1(b)(12) of the Guidelines adds a

two-level enhancement “[i]f the defendant maintained a premises for the purpose

of manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance,” including storage of a

controlled substance for the purposes of distribution. U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(12) &

comment. (n.17). The court should consider “whether the defendant held a

possessory interest in . . . the premises” and “the extent to which the defendant

controlled access to, or activities at, the premises.” U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1, comment.

(n.17). While, “[m]anufacturing or distributing a controlled substance need not be

the sole purpose for which the premises was maintained, [it] must be one of the

defendant’s primary or principal uses for the premises.” 

the “critical elements” of the offense for a violation of

§ 856(a)(1) are “(1) knowingly exercising some degree of control over the

premises; (2) knowingly making the place available for the use alleged in the

indictment; and (3) continuity in pursuing the manufacture, distribution, or use of

controlled substances.” United States v. Clavis, 

, 1090 (11th Cir.

1992). We rejected the contention that regular use of a premises “as a site from

which to distribute cocaine is, by itself, sufficient” to constitute “maintaining” a


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premises, but rather stated that “[a]cts evidencing such matters as control, duration,

acquisition of the site, renting or furnishing the site, repairing the site, supervising,

protecting, supplying food to those at the site, and continuity” constituted evidence

of “maintaining.” 

district court did not clearly err by determining Tillman maintained a

premises for the manufacture or distribution of drugs. Assuming, arguendo, that

Tillman’s home in Ray City and the house in Lowndes County do not meet the

elements we have found necessary for a conviction under § 856(a)(1), the

apartment in Ray City meets all three elements, and this would also support the

§ 2D1.1(b)(12) enhancement. There is no indication this apartment was

maintained for any purpose other than drugs. Agent Grady testified the

conspiracy’s transactions shifted to the Ray City apartment after he placed the

camera outside Tillman’s home, and Sargent Picciotti testified he observed

members of the conspiracy and “random associates” frequenting the apartment and

conducting drug transactions. McKeithen testified he obtained cocaine at the

apartment. Mack testified Camon had told him the brick house was a “stash

house.” He also testified he assisted Camon and Tillman in “re-rocking” cocaine

at the house.

      Tillman maintained the Ray City apartment by “exercising some degree of

control over the premises,” including by “supervising” the apartment. See Clavis,


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. Sargent Picciotti testified that, while he observed many

members of the conspiracy and “random associates” frequenting the apartment late

into the night, it was Tillman who would “g[e]t up very early and tend[] to be over

there.” Although other members of the conspiracy also exercised some control

over the apartment by conducting drug transactions there, Picciotti’s testimony

indicates that it was Tillman who “maintained” the apartment. Accordingly,

because Tillman maintained the Ray City apartment for the manufacture or

distribution of drugs, the district court did not clearly err in applying the two-level

§ 2D1.1(b)(12) enhancement.

Leadership role enhancement

      Lastly, Tillman contends the court erred in applying the three-level

leadership-role enhancement for being a manager of supervisor, under U.S.S.G.

§ 3B1.1(b), because the court did not make specific findings by a preponderance of

the evidence that attributes of his participation in the conspiracy evidenced a

leadership role. While we review the district court’s determination as to a

defendant’s role in the offense for clear error, the application of a guideline to a

particular factual situation is a question of law that this Court reviews de novo.

United States v. Alred, 

, 1421 (11th Cir. 1998).

      The Sentencing Guidelines provide for a three-level increase if the defendant

“was a manager or supervisor (but not an organizer or leader) and the criminal


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activity involved five or more participants or was otherwise extensive.” U.S.S.G.

§ 3B1.1(b). “[A] section 3B1.1 enhancement . . . requires authority in the

organization that perpetrates the criminal conduct, the exertion of control, or

leadership.” 

. Where the defendant had the responsibility

of ensuring the operation would succeed, as evidenced through the defendant’s

unilateral decisions, that is sufficient evidence to prove a managerial role and

support a § 3B1.1(b) enhancement. See United States v. Jones, 

,

1547 (11th Cir. 1991). A defendant’s subordinate role to another co-conspirator

does not absolve him of his supervisory role in coordinating and managing the

delivery and transportation of a drug shipment. 

there was evidence Tillman held a position subordinate to Camon,

such that Camon quoted the price of cocaine to distributors, and directed Tillman

as to when and where to make drug deliveries, there was also evidence Tillman

held a great deal of responsibility in the organization. This included evidence of

(1) his control over the organization’s finances, (2) his corruption of law

enforcement; and (3) his quality control over cocaine supplied to the organization.

This evidence amply demonstrated Tillman’s high “degree of participation in

planning or organizing the offense.” See U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1, comment. (n.4).




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       More importantly, there was evidence Tillman directed subordinate

members of the conspiracy. 3 For example, McKeithen testified that, on occasion,

he had gone to Tillman’s house to speak with Tillman, who would direct him to

another location for the consummation of a drug transaction. This evidence

showed Tillman directed others to ensure the drug transactions would succeed. See

. Tillman’s role subordinate to Camon’s does not absolve

him of his supervisory role in coordinating and managing the delivery and

transportation of the drug shipments. 

district court did not err in applying the three-level § 2B1.1(b)

enhancement. The Government presented ample evidence at trial that Tillman had

a managerial or supervisory leadership role in the conspiracy.

Conclusion

       Upon review of the record on appeal, and after consideration of the parties’

appellate briefs, we affirm Tillman’s conviction and sentence.

       AFFIRMED.




       3
          The Government was incorrect to argue at sentencing that Tillman’s leadership role
was evidenced by the exercise of decision-making authority as to whether Bray could purchase
drugs from the Camon organization. In fact, the evidence adduced at trial showed that it was
Camon, driving his lime-green Dodge Challenger and going by his moniker “Six,” who had
approved the sale of drugs to Bray. Tillman’s role was limited to delivering the cocaine that
Bray later purchased.
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