UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, No. 20-30183 Plaintiff-Appellee, D.C. Nos. v. 2:96-cr-00257-WFN-1 2:96-cr-00257-WFN VERNE JAY MERRELL, AKA Thomas C. James, AKA Jay, AKA Carl Avery Martell, AKA Jay Merrell, Defendant-Appellant.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, No. 20-30189 Plaintiff-Appellee, D.C. No. v. 2:96-cr-00259-WFN-1 ROBERT SHERMAN BERRY, AKA Jim Preston, Defendant-Appellant.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, No. 21-30043 Plaintiff-Appellee, D.C. No. v. 2:96-cr-00258-WFN-1 CHARLES HARRISON BARBEE, Defendant-Appellant. OPINION 2 UNITED STATES V. MERRELL

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington Wm. Fremming Nielsen, District Judge, Presiding

Argued and Submitted April 12, 2022 Seattle, Washington