Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca8-08-03400/USCOURTS-ca8-08-03400-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Andre Jefferson
Appellant
United States of America
Appellee

Document Text:

United States Court of Appeals

FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

___________

No. 08-3400

___________

United States of America, *

*

Appellee, * Appeal from the United States

* District Court for the

v. * Eastern District of Arkansas.

*

Andre Jefferson, * [UNPUBLISHED]

*

Appellant. *

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Submitted: January 8, 2010

Filed: February 5, 2010

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Before MURPHY, COLLOTON, and SHEPHERD, Circuit Judges.

___________

PER CURIAM.

A jury found Andre Jefferson guilty of possessing with intent to distribute more

than 5 grams but less than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine

base, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); knowingly possessing a firearm in

furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i);

possessing a firearm after having been convicted of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C.

§ 922(g)(1); and possessing with intent to distribute more than 5 grams but less than

50 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base within 1,000 feet of a

public elementary school, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 860. The district

court sentenced him to 210 months in prison and 10 years of supervised release. His

counsel has moved to withdraw and has filed a brief under Anders v. California, 386

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U.S. 738 (1967), challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support the

convictions.

We review the sufficiency of the evidence de novo, viewing the evidence in the

light most favorable to the jury’s verdict. See United States v. Myers, 575 F.3d 801,

808 (8th Cir. 2009). As to the drug offenses, we conclude that the evidence was

sufficient to find Jefferson guilty of violating section 860. See 21 U.S.C. § 860 (any

person who violates § 841(a)(1) by possessing with intent to distribute controlled

substance within 1,000 feet of real property comprising public elementary school shall

be punished); United States v. Serrano-Lopez, 366 F.3d 628, 634 (8th Cir. 2004)

(listing elements for possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute under

§ 841(a)); United States v. Cruz, 285 F.3d 692, 697 (8th Cir. 2002) (possession of

contraband need not be exclusive, but may be joint; possession can be either actual or

constructive); United States v. Brett, 872 F.2d 1365, 1370 (8th Cir. 1989) (intent to

distribute may be inferred solely from possession of large quantity of drugs; presence

of firearm is also evidence of intent to distribute). However, because a violation of

section 841(a) is a lesser included offense of section 860, Jefferson’s conviction for

both offenses violates the Double Jeopardy Clause, and we must remand so the district

court can vacate the judgment of conviction and sentence for the lesser offense. See

United States v. Carpenter, 422 F.3d 738, 747 (8th Cir. 2005).

As to the firearm offenses, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to

support both convictions. See United States v. Kent, 531 F.3d 642, 652 (8th Cir.

2008) (to obtain conviction for possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking

crime, government must prove nexus between possession of firearm and underlying

drug crime; jury may infer that firearm was used in furtherance of drug crime when

it is kept in close proximity to drugs, it is quickly accessible, and there is expert

testimony regarding use of firearms in connection with drug trafficking); United

States v. Lindsey, 507 F.3d 1146, 1148 (8th Cir. 2007) (per curiam) (evidence was

sufficient to support conviction for possession of firearm in furtherance of drug

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trafficking crime where defendant was sitting in driver’s seat of vehicle holding

several plastic bags containing crack, detective found firearm beneath seat where

defendant was sitting, and expert testified at trial that drug dealers use firearms to

protect themselves, their drugs, and their money), cert. denied, 128 S. Ct. 1328 (2008);

United States v. Davis, 449 F.3d 842, 846 (8th Cir. 2006) (to obtain § 922(g)(1)

conviction, government must prove beyond reasonable doubt that defendant had

previously been convicted of crime punishable by prison term exceeding one year, and

knowingly possessed firearm which had been in or affected interstate commerce).

Having reviewed the record independently under Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75,

80 (1988), we find no other nonfrivolous issues for appeal. Accordingly, we grant

defense counsel’s motion to withdraw on condition that counsel inform appellant

about the procedures for filing petitions for rehearing and for certiorari; we deny

Jefferson’s motion for new counsel; and we affirm Jefferson’s convictions for

possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of a

firearm after having been convicted of a felony, and possession of cocaine base within

1,000 feet of a school with intent to distribute. We reverse and remand for the district

court to vacate Jefferson’s conviction and sentence for possessing cocaine base with

intent to distribute in violation of section 841(a)(1). 

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