United States v. Arturo De La Vega, Raimundo Betancourt, Ricardo Aleman, Mario Carballo and Osvaldo Coello

ESCHBACH, Senior Circuit Judge:

This is the consolidated appeal of five individuals who, based upon their involvement in what was dubbed the “Miami River Cops Case”, were convicted of various offenses under the federal racketeering, narcotics, civil rights and tax laws. On appeal, they raise numerous arguments challenging their convictions or sentences. 1 We affirm the convictions of all appellants but vacate the sentences of appellants Be-tancourt and De La Vega and remand them for re-sentencing.

I

PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The investigation by Metro-Dade Homicide Detectives of the causes of death…