United States v. Threadgill

DeMOSS, Circuit Judge:

In this appeal we are asked to review the convictions and sentences of five defendants who operated a gambling operation in Gainesville, Texas. We also are presented with a cross-appeal from the government, challenging the district court’s decision to depart downward at sentencing. As explained in this opinion, we detect no infirmity in the defendants’ convictions or sentences, and affirm.

I

On February 15, 1996, a federal grand jury returned a fourteen count indictment charging Walter Matthew Threadgill, Jr. (“Walter Threadgill”), and his sons, Walter Matthew Threadgill,…