Case ID: f-appx_65/html/0867-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "SCIRICA, Chief Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, v. Luis Manuel RIVERA, Appellant.
    No. 02-2919.
    United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
    Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a) May 19, 2003.
    Decided May 30, 2003.
    
      Before SCIRICA, Chief Judge, NYGAARD and BECKER, Circuit Judges.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

SCIRICA, Chief Judge.

This is a sentencing appeal. Luis Manuel Rivera pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), under a written plea agreement and was sentenced to a term of 78 months imprisonment.

I.

On October 20, 2000, police officers conducted a lawful search pursuant to a search warrant of Rivera’s residence, 349 East Poplar Street, York, Pennsylvania, and found seven packets of heroin and a loaded 9 mm Intra-Tech semi-automatic pistol in his basement.

On August 27, 2001, Rivera pled guilty in state court to felony drug charges, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and was sentenced to 4-8 years imprisonment. On December 12, 2001, Rivera pled guilty to the federal offense that underlies this appeal.

Rivera admitted possession of the firearm, claiming a friend had given it to him. But, in fact, the pistol was reported stolen by the owner a few months earlier. Rivera said he needed the firearm for protection from one of his drug associates (Jose Avelo) who he claimed threatened to kill him. Rivera also admitted to possession of the heroin.

II.

Rivera challenges his four-level enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(5), possession of a firearm in connection with another felony offense.

U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(5) provides:

If the defendant used or possessed any firearm or ammunition in connection with another felony offense; or possessed or transferred any firearm or ammunition with knowledge, intent, or reason to believe that it would be used or possessed in connection with another felony offense, increase by 4 levels.

The District Court made a factual finding that Rivera possessed a firearm in connection with another felony offense, namely, possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

III.

Rivera contends the District Court erroneously imposed the four-level séntencing enhancement under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(5) because there was no connection or relationship between the firearm and the felony. United States v. Loney, 219 F.3d 281 (3d. Cir.2000). Rivera argues he was only “passively in possession of a gun and drugs in the basement of his residence.”

The District Court found that “there is enough circumstantial evidence here taking all these facts together, as harsh as it is, that would support the firearm was used and possessed in relation to another felony offense; that is the drug distribution.”

The basis for the District Court’s finding was that Rivera’s associate (Avelo) was a drug trafficker, that Rivera was a distributor of heroin and that he admitted he needed the firearm for protection from Avelo. The evidence confirmed that Rivera and Avelo together were engaged in drug trafficking. Furthermore, the heroin and loaded gun were found in proximity in Rivera’s basement, pursuant to a lawful search. These factors demonstrate the requisite relationship or association between the gun and the felony, in this case, possession of heroin with intent to distribute. See Loney, 219 F.3d 281.

IV.

For these reasons, we will affirm the judgment of conviction and sentence. 
      
      . Rivera received a three-level adjustment for acceptance of responsibility.