Opinion ID: 653666
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Gasca's Sec. 924(c) Conviction

Text: 11 Gasca appeals his Sec. 924(c) violation, arguing that insufficient evidence existed to convict him of using, in relation to his drug trafficking crimes, the .44 magnum revolver found in his bedroom. He has a difficult task. A verdict will withstand a sufficiency of the evidence challenge unless there is no evidence from which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Caudill, 915 F.2d 294, 297 (7th Cir.1990). Furthermore, [w]e review all the evidence in the light most favorable to the [g]overnment. United States v. Woods, 995 F.2d 713, 717 (7th Cir.1993). 12 To prove Gasca violated Sec. 924(c), the government was required to show that he used or carried a firearm and that the use or carrying occurred during and in relation to his participation in the drug conspiracy which resulted in his Sec. 846 conviction. Smith v. United States, --- U.S. ----, ----, 113 S.Ct. 2050, 2053, 124 L.Ed.2d 138 (1993); United States v. Wilson, 938 F.2d 785, 791 (7th Cir.1991), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 112 S.Ct. 946, 117 L.Ed.2d 115 (1992). Use of a firearm includes the possession of a firearm which in any manner facilitates the execution of a felony. United States v. Ocampo, 890 F.2d 1363, 1371 (7th Cir.1989) (citation omitted). Mere possession of a firearm is not enough; there always must be 'some relation or connection between the underlying criminal act and the use or possession of the firearm.'  United States v. Rosado, 866 F.2d 967, 970 (7th Cir.) (quoting United States v. Stewart, 779 F.2d 538, 540 (9th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 867, 108 S.Ct. 192, 98 L.Ed.2d 144 (1987)), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 837, 110 S.Ct. 117, 107 L.Ed.2d 79 (1989). 13 In challenging the evidence supporting his conviction, Gasca views his participation in the conspiracy as limited to the receipt and return of cocaine that occurred outside his apartment. Thus, according to Gasca, to use the revolver in that transaction, he would have had to run from the car to the bedroom of his upstairs apartment and retrieve the gun. As he did not carry or brandish the weapon during the events leading up to his arrest, he argues that a Sec. 924(c) offense requires more than this hypothetical access to a firearm. 14 Contrary to Gasca's characterization of his involvement, his activity in the conspiracy was not limited to the exchange of cocaine at the car. Testimony indicated that Villagrana told Gasca to take two kilos, one at a time, to his apartment for cutting. Gasca was then seen leaving the car and entering his apartment. Fifteen minutes later, he returned to the car with enough wrapping to package one kilo of cocaine and four small bags of cocaine, presumably containing the now divided kilo. In the bedroom of his apartment, the arresting officers found the tools of Gasca's trade--a triple beam scale used to weigh the cocaine and plastic bags used to package smaller quantities. The slightly less than a gram of cocaine found scattered on the floor indicated the cutting had taken place in the bedroom. From this evidence, the jury could reasonably infer that, in furtherance of the conspiracy, he actually cut cocaine into distributable quantities in the bedroom of his apartment, at which time he had access to the revolver. 15 It is well established that firearms are used to protect illegal drug traffickers from the dangers presented by law enforcement and competing dealers, thereby increasing the likelihood that the crime will be successfully completed. See Ocampo, 890 F.2d at 1371; Wilson, 938 F.2d at 791. The loaded .44 caliber revolver and its ammunition were found in the bedroom. It was in that bedroom where Gasca stored and cut cocaine and kept over $23,000 in cash. Dealers who keep guns in 'strategic proximity' to their drugs or transactions 'use them in relation to' their drug trafficking for purposes of [Sec. 924(c) ]. Woods, 995 F.2d at 718 (citing United States v. Malin, 908 F.2d 163, 168 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 991, 111 S.Ct. 534, 112 L.Ed.2d 544 (1990)). Here, the jury could infer that Gasca kept his revolver at a location where he prepared drugs for distribution for the purpose of protecting himself, as well as the cocaine and cash stored in the bedroom. 1 16 The fact Gasca did not brandish the gun is of no consequence. Lack of an opportunity to brandish or shoot his weapon [does] not mean the [the defendant] did not 'use' the gun; ... the fortuitous absence of a threatening occasion [to do so will not] rescue him from culpability under the statute. United States v. Vasquez, 909 F.2d 235, 239 (7th Cir.1990) (citing Rosado, 866 F.2d at 969-70), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 2826, 115 L.Ed.2d 996 (1991). Furthermore, [t]he 'uses or carries' requirement of section Sec. 924(c)(1) does not require that the weapon[ ] be found on or near the defendant. Malin, 908 F.2d at 168 (citing Rosado, 866 F.2d 967). Hence, that Gasca was not carrying the gun with him when he approached his friendly coconspirators does not alter our conclusion. 17 This is not a case in which the defendant possessed a gun in relation to an obviously unrelated crime. Ocampo, 890 F.2d at 1371-72. Because the evidence supports an inference that the gun was available for Gasca's protection when he cut cocaine for Villagrana, the jury was entitled to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Gasca used the .44 caliber revolver in relation to his participation in the drug conspiracy.