United States v. Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez-Lopez, Also Known as Tomas

BYE, Circuit Judge.

Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez-Lopez was convicted by a jury of conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846. On appeal, he argues his conviction should be vacated because the district court violated his Sixth Amendment right to be represented by the counsel of his choice at trial by refusing to grant his attorney’s applications for admission pro hae vice. Finding a Sixth Amendment violation, we vacate the conviction and remand the case for a new trial.

I

We begin our discussion with a presentation of the background facts. 2…