Opinion ID: 607457
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: James Bundick's Conviction for Possession With Intent to Distribute.

Text: 33 In executing the search warrant at the Bundicks' residence, police found 3.3 grams of crack wrapped in a paper towel and placed in the knot hole of a tree located near, but not on, the Bundicks' property. On appeal, James Bundick argues that, because the area in which he and his brother lived was an open air drug market, there was insufficient evidence for the jury to infer that he possessed the drugs found in the tree. This argument is unpersuasive. 34 To sustain a conviction for possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant (1) knowingly (2) possessed a controlled substance (3) with the intent to distribute it. See, e.g., 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1); United States v. Samad, 754 F.2d 1091, 1096 (4th Cir. 1984). Actual possession of the drug is not required. Samad, 754 F.2d at 1096. Rather, the government can sustain its burden of proof by showing that the defendant constructively possessed the narcotics by exercising, or having the power to exercise, dominion or control over the contraband. E.g., id.; Collazo, 732 F.2d at 1205. Actual or constructive possession can be established by direct or circumstantial evidence. E.g., United States v. Garcia, 917 F.2d 1370, 1376 (5th Cir. 1990). 35 Under this standard, and viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, the evidence was sufficient to sustain the James' conviction under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). Government witness Daphine Parris testified that the Bundicks typically wrapped their cocaine base in paper towels. Testimony from Parris and Phillip Randolph further showed that the Bundicks often hid their contraband outdoors. In particular, Randolph testified that Donnie Bundick had explained that he often hid crack in trees because police always look down and never look up. This testimony provides a sufficient basis for the jury to have concluded that James Bundick possessed the narcotics found in the tree adjacent to 1211 Lafayette. 36