Document ID: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-ca8-06-02887/USCOURTS-ca8-06-02887-0/pdf.json

Parties Involved:
Chad Douglas Parker
Appellant
United States of America
Appellee

Document Text:

1

The Honorable Robert W. Pratt, Chief Judge, United States District Court for

the Southern District of Iowa.

United States Court of Appeals

FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

___________

No. 06-2887

___________

United States of America, *

*

Appellee, *

* Appeal from the United States

v. * District Court for the

* Southern District of Iowa.

Chad Douglas Parker, *

* [UNPUBLISHED]

Appellant. *

___________

Submitted: November 23, 2007

Filed: December 3, 2007

___________

Before MURPHY, SMITH, and SHEPHERD, Circuit Judges.

___________

PER CURIAM.

Chad Douglas Parker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 50

grams of methamphetamine, and more than 500 grams of a methamphetamine

mixture, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846. The district court1

sentenced him to 340 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release. On appeal,

his counsel has moved to withdraw, filing a brief under Anders v. California, 386 U.S.

738 (1967). For the following reasons, we affirm, and we grant counsel leave to

withdraw.

Appellate Case: 06-2887 Page: 1 Date Filed: 12/03/2007 Entry ID: 3378035
-2-

Counsel argues that the district court erred in enhancing Parker’s sentence

under U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1) for possessing a dangerous weapon, and under U.S.S.G.

§ 3B1.1(a) for playing an aggravating role in the offense. Reviewing de novo the

district court’s application of the Guidelines and for clear error its factual findings,

see United States v. Rodriguez, 484 F.3d 1006, 1014 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 128 S.

Ct. 316 (2007), we conclude that the court did not err in applying either enhancement.

As to the dangerous-weapon enhancement, items used in manufacturing

methamphetamine were found in Parker’s residence along with loaded firearms, see

United States v. Cave, 293 F.3d 1077, 1079 (8th Cir. 2002) (evidence that weapon was

found in same location as drugs or drug paraphernalia usually suffices); United States

v. Payne, 81 F.3d 759, 762 (8th Cir. 1996) (constructive possession of firearm is

sufficient); and as to the aggravating-role enhancement, the record reveals ample

undisputed facts that more than five persons were involved in the conspiracy, and that

Parker exercised decision-making authority over the manufacture of the

methamphetamine and some of the participants, see U.S.S.G. § 3B1.1, comment. (n.4)

(factors); United States v. Coleman, 148 F.3d 897, 902-03 (8th Cir. 1998) (evidence

sufficient to support leadership enhancement based on defendant’s decision-making

authority over procurement of equipment, supplies, and chemical ingredients in

methamphetamine-manufacturing conspiracy). 

Parker must pursue any ineffective-assistance claims in a proceeding under 28

U.S.C. § 2255. See United States v. Hughes, 330 F.3d 1068, 1069 (8th Cir. 2003).

Finally, having reviewed the record under Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80 (1988), we

find no nonfrivolous issues. Accordingly, we affirm the district court’s judgment and

we grant counsel’s motion to withdraw on condition that counsel inform appellant

about the procedures for filing petitions for rehearing and for certiorari.

______________________________

Appellate Case: 06-2887 Page: 2 Date Filed: 12/03/2007 Entry ID: 3378035