Opinion ID: 700502
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Opening or Maintaining a Place

Text: 11 Basinger focuses his argument on the second element of section 856(a)(1), urging that he did not open or maintain a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using methamphetamine. Basinger relies solely on cases addressing evidentiary sufficiency in the context of convictions for possession of contraband. He argues that he cannot be convicted of opening or maintaining a place for drug activity absent a showing that he exercised dominion and control over the premises. 12 This circuit has never addressed the applicability of the dominion and control inquiry to convictions under section 856. Cases from other circuits suggest that proof of a defendant's dominion and control over a place may be sufficient to show that he maintains that place, see United States v. Howell, 31 F.3d 740, 741 (8th Cir.1994) (per curiam), but that proof of dominion and control is not necessary to establish maintenance under section 856(a)(1), see United States v. Clavis, 956 F.2d 1079, 1091, modified on other grounds, 977 F.2d 538 (11th Cir.1992), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 1619, 123 L.Ed.2d 178 (1993). In Clavis, the Eleventh Circuit stated that [a]cts evidencing such matters as control, duration, acquisition of the site, renting or furnishing the site, repairing the site, supervising, protecting, supplying food to those at the site, and continuity are relevant to the defendant's maintenance of a place. 956 F.2d at 1091. 13 We need not decide in this case whether a showing of less than dominion and control would be sufficient to demonstrate a defendant's maintenance of the property. The evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the government, supports the inference that Basinger exercised dominion and control over the property. Basinger sought and received permission to live on the property during the winter. He was the only resident on the property and the only day-to-day caretaker and supervisor of the site. In return for permission to stay on the site, Basinger agreed to repair the water system. There was evidence that Basinger and, occasionally, his female guest were the only people seen or heard on the property. There was evidence that Basinger entered the secured section of the shed where the laboratory was found. Cf. United States v. Walker, 993 F.2d 196, 200 (9th Cir.) (defendant's dominion and control over drugs found in apartment was established where defendant possessed keys to apartment and bedrooms, and defendant's clothes and shoes, a receipt with his name, and a large sum of cash were found near the drugs), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 114 S.Ct. 276, 126 L.Ed.2d 227 (1993); United States v. Disla, 805 F.2d 1340, 1350 (9th Cir.1986) (constructive possession of contraband may be shown by defendant's  'exclusive control or dominion over property on which contraband [is] found' ) (citation omitted). 1 14