United States v. Russell N. Harper

Defendant Russell Harper travelled regularly to Texas for marijuana imported from Mexico, then brought it back to Orlando, Florida, where he sold it. He gave his uncle and another person cash from the proceeds to purchase vehicles titled in the uncle and other person’s names. Harper also used the proceeds to purchase a home.

After eight months of surveillance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Harper was arrested. He eventually pled guilty to drug trafficking and money laundering offenses. He now appeals the sentencing court’s refusal to group these offenses as “closely related…