                                                    [DO NOT PUBLISH]


            IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                  FILED
                      FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
                       ________________________  ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
                                                          DEC 8, 2008
                             No. 07-14281               THOMAS K. KAHN
                         Non-Argument Calendar              CLERK
                       ________________________

               D. C. Docket No. 05-00086-CR-002-CAR-5

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

                                                             Plaintiff-Appellee,

                                versus

ERETTA NELSON,
OZEE ROGERS, SR.,


                                                     Defendants-Appellants,

JOSEPH JORDAN, SR.,
HEWIS CROSS,
                                                                   Defendants.

                       ________________________

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

                           (December 8, 2008)
Before TJOFLAT, BLACK and BARKETT, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

      In a 31-count indictment, Eretta Nelson and Ozee Rogers, Sr. were charged

with five co-defendants, Joseph Jordan, Sr., Hewis Cross, Ernest Butts, Calvin

McCaskill and Lola Brokemond with conspiracy to file false claims with the

Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 286, Nelson was

charged in nine counts with filing false claims with the IRS, in violation of 18

U.S.C. § 287, and Rogers was charged with the same offense in 15 counts.

      The charges against the defendants arose out of a scheme to recruit taxpayers

to file false amended income tax returns and related forms with the IRS for the

purpose of obtaining tax refunds to which they were not entitled. The recruiters,

including Nelson and Rogers or their operatives, told the taxpayers that the money

they paid the IRS was placed in interest bearing accounts in their names, and that

they could obtain the interest earned on the accounts by filing claims with the IRS.

The existence of these accounts were known to the recruiters – because they had

inside information, some having been IRS employees – but not the public at large.

The taxpayers were therefore advised not to seek advice from a lawyer, an

accountant, or the IRS because that might cause the IRS to close the loophole and

bar future claims. As proof that the claims would be paid, taxpayers were shown

                                          2
copies of refund checks the recruiters had obtained for the interest their tax

payments had earned. The taxpayers who submitted claims agreed to pay a fee for

the preparation of their claims and a percentage of the refunds they received.

      Eighty four taxpayers filed 95 false claims for refunds during the course of

the conspiracy. Defendant Jordan prepared the claims; they ranged from $33,318

to $89,612 and totaled in excess of $5.6 million. In all, the IRS paid the taxpayers

$530,633 in refunds. Nelson and Rogers and the other defendants, having

recruited the taxpayers, received a percentage of the refunds.

      The defendants entered pleas of not guilty and stood trial before a jury.

Nelson, Rogers, Jordan, and Cross were found guilty as charged; co-defendants

Butts, McCaskill, and Brokemond were acquitted. Nelson and Rogers now appeal,

challenging their conspiracy convictions. Rogers challenges his sentences. We

address first the conspiracy conviction, then the sentences.

                                          I.

      Appellants argue that the evidence at trial established the existence of three

separate and distinct conspiracies rather than the single conspiracy charged in the

indictment. They contend that the conspiracy was a “hub and spoke” conspiracy in

which Jordan formed the hub and they and the others involved in the activity

formed three spokes, (1) Nelson and Butts; (2) Rogers, Cross and McCaskill, and

                                           3
(3) Jordan and Brokemond, and that there was no interdependence among the

spokes and thus, no rim. Appellants point to evidence showing that the three

groups operated independently, and play down as insignificant the fact that the

three groups used the same sales pitch. Because the three conspiracies were tried

together, evidence was introduced that would have been inadmissible had their

groups been tried separately and thereby caused a material variance that warrants

the vacation of their conspiracy convictions and a new trial.

      “The standard of review for whether there is a material variance between the

allegations in the indictment and the facts established at trial is twofold: first,

whether a material variance did occur, and, second, whether the defendant suffered

substantial prejudice as a result.” United States v. Chastain, 198 F.3d 1338, 1349

(11th Cir. 1999). “A material variance between an indictment and the

government’s proof at trial occurs if the government proves multiple conspiracies

under an indictment alleging only a single conspiracy.” United States v. Alred, 144

F.3d 1405, 1414 (11th Cir. 1998) (quotation omitted). Because it is the jury’s

function to determine whether the evidence establishes a single conspiracy, the

conceivable existence of multiple conspiracies will not constitute a material

variance if a reasonable trier of fact could have found the existence of a single

conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt. Id.

                                            4
      In determining whether a jury could have found a single conspiracy, three

factors are considered: (1) whether a common goal existed; (2) the nature of the

underlying scheme; and (3) the overlap of participants. Chastain, 198 F.3d at 1349.

“[T]o prove a single, unified conspiracy as opposed to a series of smaller,

uncoordinated conspiracies, the government must show an interdependence among

the alleged co-conspirators.” United States v. Chandler, 388 F.3d 796, 811 (11th

Cir. 2004). Separate transactions do not constitute separate conspiracies “so long

as the conspirators act in concert to further a common goal.” Id. (emphasis

omitted). “If a defendant’s actions facilitated the endeavors of other

co[-]conspirators or facilitated the venture as a whole, then a single conspiracy is

shown.” Id.

      A “hub-and-spoke” conspiracy is a conspiracy in which one conspirator or

group of conspirators recruits separate groups of co-conspirators to carry out

various functions of the illegal enterprise. Id. at 807. “[W]here the ‘spokes’ of a

conspiracy have no knowledge of or connection with any other, dealing

independently with the hub conspirator, there is not a single conspiracy, but rather

as many conspiracies as there are spokes.” Id. at 808. The jury may find a single

conspiracy, however, “where there is a ‘key man’ who directs the illegal activities,

while various combinations of other people exert individual efforts towards the

                                          5
common goal.” United States v. Taylor, 17 F.3d 333, 337 (11th Cir. 1994)

(quotation omitted). Moreover, “there is no requirement that each conspirator

participated in every transaction, knew the other conspirators, or knew the details

of each venture making up the conspiracy.” Id.

      A material variance does not require the reversal of a conviction unless the

variance substantially prejudiced the defendant. Alred, 144 F.3d at 1414. To

establish prejudice, the defendant should demonstrate (1) how the proof at trial

differed greatly from the charge in the indictment, such that the defendant was

unfairly surprised or was unable to prepare an adequate defense, or (2) there were

so many separate conspiracies or defendants before the jury that there was a

substantial likelihood that the jury transferred proof of one conspiracy to the

defendant involved in another. Id. at 1415. We have indicated that it is unlikely

that a defense at trial would have varied if, in either event, the underlying crimes

charged and the elements of proof would be identical. United States v. Calderon,

127 F.3d 1314, 1328 (11th Cir.1997), modified on other grounds by United States

v. Toler, 144 F.3d 1423, 1427 (11th Cir. 1998). Further, a jury’s verdict shows that

the jury was not confused by the evidence and was able to assign conspiratorial

liability on an individual basis in cases where some of the defendants charged were

not found guilty of the conspiracy alleged against them. Id.

                                           6
      In this case, the jury reasonably could find a single conspiracy because: (1)

all the conspirators shared a common goal to encourage taxpayers to file false

claims so they could gain fees and obtain a percentage of any refunds; (2) the

nature of the conspiracy was such that it would be reasonable to expect that Jordan,

its leader, was recruiting others to recruit taxpayers to file false claims; and (3)

there was some overlap because members of each group worked with each other,

and all groups worked with Jordan. To the extent this was a “hub and spoke”

conspiracy, there was a connection between the spokes because the

Rogers/Cross/McCaskill group used copies of U.S. Treasury refund checks from

Brokemond and a recruit of the Nelson/Butts group to induce a taxpayer to file a

false claim. Additionally, appellants did not show they were prejudiced by any

material variance because they have not explained how they were unfairly surprised

or whether they were unable to prepare a defense, and the fact that the jury’s

verdict acquitted three of the defendants of the conspiracy charge indicates that it

was able to assign conspiratorial liability on an individual basis.

                                           II.

                                           A.

      Rogers argues that the district court deprived him of his Sixth Amendment

right to counsel when it granted his request to represent himself at sentencing;

                                            7
although he waived his right to counsel, he did not do so knowingly or

intelligently, nor did he unequivocally assert his right to represent himself. His

waiver was deficient, he says, because the court failed to advise him of the

potential sentence he might face or that, if he could not afford counsel, the court

would appoint one or offer the assistance of standby counsel. He therefore argues

that the court left him with two choices: (1) continue with his attorney whom he

felt was unqualified, or (2) represent himself. He chose to represent himself.

      Rogers argues that, under the circumstances present here, we should presume

prejudice. We refuse to do so and thus address his alternative argument, that

prejudice occurred because the court incorrectly calculated the Guidelines

sentencing range, failed to discuss the sentencing factors of 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a),

and failed to determine whether he knew what those factors were.

      A defendant has a constitutional right to proceed without counsel when he

knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently elects to do so. Faretta v. California, 422

U.S. 806, 833-36, 95 S.Ct. 2525, 2540-42, 45 L.Ed.2d 562 (1975). “Whether a

waiver of counsel is knowing and intelligent is a mixed question of law and fact

which we review de novo.” United States v. Cash, 47 F.3d 1083, 1088 (11th Cir.

1995). A defendant also should be informed of the dangers and disadvantages of

self-representation, ideally at a hearing. United States v. Garey, 540 F.3d 1253,

                                          8
1266-67 (11th Cir. 2008) (en banc). The court should engage the defendant in a

colloquy to elicit information regarding his background, his understanding of the

charges, and his knowledge of the court’s rules and procedures he must follow. Id.

at 1266. It is enough that the court is assured that the defendant “(1) understands

the choices before him, (2) knows the potential dangers of proceeding pro se, and

(3) has rejected the lawyer to whom he is constitutionally entitled.”   Id. Factors

relevant in assessing the defendant’s understanding include: (1) the defendant’s

age, educational background, and physical and mental health; (2) the extent of the

defendant’s contact with lawyers, prior to trial; (3) the defendant’s knowledge of

the charges, possible defenses, and potential penalties; (4) the defendant’s

understanding of procedure and evidence rules; (5) the defendant’s experience in

similar proceedings; (6) whether standby counsel was appointed; and (7) any

mistreatment or coercion of the defendant. Cash, 47 F.3d at 1088-89.

      The record indicates that Rogers expressly stated that he wanted to represent

himself, indicated he read the presentence investigation report (“PSI”) which

informed him of the potential penalties he was facing, and was informed of the

dangers of self-representation and the sentencing process. Accordingly, he did not

suffer the deprivation of his right to counsel.

                                          B.

                                           9
      Rogers argues that, in determining the Guidelines sentence range, the district

court inappropriately applied the abuse-of-trust enhancement pursuant to U.S.S.G.

§ 3B1.3, because he did not maintain a position of trust with respect to the IRS, the

victim of his offense. Rogers did not present this argument to the district court at

the sentencing hearing; hence, we consider the argument under the plain error

standard of review.1 United States v. Bennett, 472 F.3d 825, 831 (11th Cir. 2006).

Rogers must show the court committed error, that the error was plain, and that the

error affected his substantial rights. Id. at 831. A defendant shows that his

substantial rights were affected if he can show that there is a reasonable probability

that there would have been a different result had there been no error. Id. at 831-32.

If those conditions are met, then we may exercise our discretion to notice the error,

only if the error “seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of

judicial proceedings.” Id. at 832.

      Section 3B1.3 of the Guidelines provides for a two-level enhancement “[i]f

the defendant abused a position of public or private trust, or used a special skill, in

a manner that significantly facilitated the commission or concealment of the



       1
            All that Rogers said to the court at sentencing was that there was no evidence showing
that he told any of the taxpayers that Jordan was an attorney. He was wrong. A taxpayer witness
at trial testified, however, that Rogers informed her that “Joe” was an attorney. Given the other
evidence in the record, it was more likely than not the “Joe” Rogers referred to was Jordan.

                                               10
offense.” U.S.S.G. § 3B1.3. The Guidelines application notes provide that

“‘Public or private trust’ refers to a position of public or private trust characterized

by professional or managerial discretion.” Id., comment. (n.1). The enhancement

applies to “a case in which the defendant provides sufficient indicia to the victim

that the defendant legitimately holds a position of private or public trust when, in

fact, the defendant does not.” Id., comment. (n.3). The defendant must, himself,

hold a position of trust. United States v. Morris, 286 F.3d 1291, 1297 (11th Cir.

2002). “The relationship between the defendant and the victim must be more

significant than that of an arm’s-length business transaction.” United States v.

Harness, 180 F.3d 1232, 1236 (11th Cir. 1999). The evidence must show that the

defendant had a special, close, or personal attachment, or fiduciary relationship

with the victim. Morris, 286 F.3d at 1299. The enhancement only applies if: (1)

the defendant abused a position of trust with respect to the victim of the crime; and

(2) the position of trust contributed in a significant way to facilitating the offense.

Harness, 180 F.3d at 1236.

       Rogers fails to satisfy the plain error test. He has not demonstrated a

reasonable probability that the district court would have imposed different

sentences had it not employed the abuse-of-trust enhancement. The sentences

Rogers received at the bottom of his Guidelines sentencing range, were within the

                                           11
sentencing range the court would have used had it not made the enhancement, and

the court gave no indication that it would have been inclined to give lower

sentences. Cf United States v. Wood, 430 F.3d 1323, 1326 (11th Cir. 2005)

(holding, in Booker2 error case, where defendant was sentenced at low-end of

guideline range, that defendant did not establish a reasonable probability of a

different result where court expressed no desire to impose a lower sentence);

United States v. Fields, 408 F.3d 1356, 1361 (11th Cir. 2005) (holding that the fact

that the defendant was sentenced to the bottom of the mandatory guidelines range,

without more, was insufficient to satisfy the third prong’s requirement that the

defendant show a reasonable probability of a lesser sentence under an advisory

guideline system).

                                          C.

      Rogers argues that the court erred in enhancing his base offense level for

having played an aggravating-role in the criminal enterprise. See U.S.S.G. §

3B1.1(a). The court erred, he submits, because the evidence did not show that he

recruited numerous individuals, had personal contact with numerous taxpayers, or

profited more than Jordan. He says that the persons that he contacted were not



       2
           United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621
(2005).
                                          12
participants; although Cross and Jordan were participants, Jordan was the leader

who devised the plan, and the Government failed to prove that he was a leader of

five participants or more. That he may have profited more than Jordan is, he

contends, irrelevant to his role. Rogers did not present this argument to the district

court; he therefore must establish plain error.

      Section 3B1.1(a) provides for a four-level increase “[i]f the defendant was an

organizer or leader of a criminal activity that involved five or more participants or

was otherwise extensive” U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1(a) (emphasis added). The Guideline’s

application notes provide that, when considering whether an organization is

“otherwise extensive,” the district court should consider all persons involved

during the course of the entire offense.” Id., comment. (n.3). In distinguishing a

leadership role, the district court should consider

       the exercise of decision making authority, the nature of participation
       in the commission of the offense, the recruitment of accomplices, the
       claimed right to a larger share of the fruits of the crime, the degree of
       participation in planning or organizing the offense, the nature and
       scope of the illegal activity, and the degree of control and authority
       exercised over others.

Id., comment, (n.4). More than one person can be a leader or organizer of a

conspiracy. Id. The § 3B1.1(a) enhancement may apply even in situations where

the activity involves less than five participants, so long as the defendant plays a



                                          13
leadership role and the criminal activity was otherwise extensive. United States v.

Holland, 22 F.3d 1040, 1045 (11th Cir. 1994).

      Because the evidence established that (1) Rogers utilized his business Rio

Marketing, Inc. to collect payments from participants and to make payments to

recruiters and Jordan, (2) recruited Cross into the scheme to recruit additional

participants, (3) was involved in most of the false claims introduced at trial, and (4)

quit sharing some of the payments from participants with Jordan, ultimately

making more than Jordan, the court properly applied the section 3B.1.1(a)

enhancement. In a word, there is no plain error here.

                                          D.

      Rogers argues that the district court’s factual finding as to the amount of the

intended loss has no evidentiary support. He argues that the court simply adopted

the Government’s position as to that amount. Although he concedes that the tax

returns, which related to the loss calculation, were admitted into evidence, he

contends that there was no testimony regarding the returns or specific evidence

linking them to him.

      We are unpersuaded. Our review of the record indicates that the evidence

introduced at trial plainly supported the Government’s intended loss calculation.

Given this evidentiary support, the court did not err in adopting that calculation.

                                          14
                                           E.

      Relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker, 543

U.S. 220, 125 S.Ct. 738, 160 L.Ed.2d 621 (2005), Rogers argues that his sentences

were based on facts not found by the jury or admitted by him, in violation of the

Sixth Amendment. His argument assumes that the court treated the Guidelines as

mandatory, and it is frivolous. Not only did he fail to present it to the district court,

it is clear from the record that the court, in fashioning his sentences, did not treat

the Guidelines as mandatory; it treated them as advisory.

      Appellants’ conspiracy convictions and Rogers’s sentences are

      AFFIRMED.




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