Source: http://sc.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20190122_0000174.DSC.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2020-01-18 11:12:27
Document Index: 341729482

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 84', '§ 924', '§ 922', '§ 924', '§ 922', '§841', '§ 924', '§ 922']

FindACase™ | United States v. McKeithen
Wade Deon McKeithen
Wade Deon McKeithen (“Defendant”) is named in nine counts of a ten count Indictment charging conduct occurring on three different dates. The indictment charges that on December 22, 2015, Defendant unlawfully possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, oxycodone, cocaine base ("crack cocaine"), and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 84l(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (Count 1); used and carried a firearm during and in relation to, and possessed a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Count 2); and was a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e) (Count 3). The indictment also charges that on February 5, 2016, Defendant possessed with intent to distribute cocaine and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, in violation of21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) and 841 (b)(1)(C) (Count 4); along with co-Defendant Nehemiah Kobie Wilson, used and carried a firearm during and in relation to, and possessed a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and 2 (Count 6); and, along with co-Defendant Nehemiah Kobie Wilson, was a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e) and 2 (Count 7). The indictment further charges that on October 8, 2016, Defendant unlawfully possessed with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine, a quantity of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and a quantity of hydromorphone, and a quantity of a mixture or substance containing both heroin and fentanyl, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C) (Count 8); used and carried a firearm during and in relation to, and possessed a firearm in furtherance of, a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Count 9); and was a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2), and 924(e) (Count 10). To summarize, Counts 1, 4, and 8 are drug possession counts; Counts 2, 6, and 9 are use of a firearm counts; and Counts 3, 7, and 10 are felon in possession counts, all of which occurred on different days.
On November 16, 2018, Defendant filed a motion to sever. ECF No. 80. In his motion, Defendant argues that joining the charges “would unduly prejudice the defendant by requiring him to present three separate defenses and confront three sets of witnesses.” Id. at 1. Defendant argues that the only link between the charges “is the defendant.” Id. Furthermore, Defendant asserts that joinder would prevent a jury from reaching a fair verdict, as it would result in the introduction of “improper character evidence, ” inadmissible under Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Id. at 2. Trying the December 2015, February 2016, and October 2016 events together, according to Defendant, would increase the “likelihood that the jury will infer guilt.” Id.
On November 28, 2018, the government filed a response in opposition. ECF No. 83. First, the government argues that joinder is proper under Rule 8(a) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure because the offenses were the “exact same” offenses. Id. at 6. Furthermore, the government asserts the charges are connected and constitute parts of “a common scheme or plan” carried out by Defendant. Id. at 7. Additionally, the government asserts that severance is not warranted under Rule 14 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure because Defendant has not met his burden of showing that a jury would not be able to reach a fair verdict. Id. at 9. The government further asserts that limiting instructions can eliminate any potential prejudice. Id.
Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 8(a) stipulates that joinder is appropriate if the offenses charged are “of the same or similar character, ” or “based on the same act or transaction, ” or “connected with or constitute parts of a common scheme or plan.” Fed. R. Crim. P. 8(a). Rule 8(a) allows for broad joinder, which lends itself to judicial efficiency. United States v. Cardwell, 433 F.3d 378, 385 (4th Cir. 2005). Courts have reasoned that “the prospect of duplicating witness testimony, impaneling additional jurors'” would suggest “'that related offenses should be tried in a single proceeding.'” United States v. Hawkins, 776 F.3d 200, 2006 (4th Cir. 2009) (quoting United States v. Mir, 525 F.3d 351, 357 (4th Cir. 2008)). In considering joinder under Rule 8, a district court should consider: (1) whether the offenses are violations of the same statute; (2) the temporal proximity between the alleged offenses; and (3) the similarity of the conduct alleged in each offense. United States v. Luby, No. 2:14cr25, 2015 WL 3452052 at *3 (E.D. Va. May 27, 2015) (citing cases).
If offenses are properly joined under Rule 8(a), a defendant must turn to Rule 14 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure in order to effectuate severance. Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 14(a) provides:
Prevailing under Rule 14 is “a difficult task.” United States v. Blair, 661 F.3d 755, 770 (4th Cir. 2011)(citing Cardwell, 433 F.3d at 387).
The Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has identified three possible sources of prejudice:
Luby, 2015 WL 3452052, *4 (quoting United States v. Foutz, 540 F.2d 733, 736 (4th Cir.1976)).
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The defendant has the burden of proving that prejudice would result, and must prove that actual prejudice would result from a joint trial. United States v. Reavis, 48 F.3d 763, 767 (4th Cir. 1995). Mere proof that a separate trial would offer a better chance of acquittal is not sufficient. Id. Furthermore, if jury prejudice is a possibility, a ...