Opinion ID: 462585
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the law of constructive possession

Text: 8 To prove a charge of constructive possession the government must offer evidence that the defendant was in a position or had the right to exercise dominion or control over the firearm. United States v. Lewis, 701 F.2d 972, 973 (D.C.Cir.1983). We have also insisted that such dominion and control be knowing. See United States v. Whitfield, 629 F.2d 136, 143 (D.C.Cir.1980), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1086, 101 S.Ct. 875, 66 L.Ed.2d 812 (1981). Although the imprecision of these general verbal formulae has long been noted, see United States v. Holland, 445 F.2d 701, 703-704 (D.C.Cir.1971) (Tamm, J., concurring), certain basic guidelines can be gleaned from our cases. 9 First, mere proximity to contraband is not enough to carry a case of constructive possession to the jury. United States v. Pardo, 636 F.2d 535, 549 (D.C.Cir.1980); United States v. Whitfield, supra, 629 F.2d at 143; United States v. Holland, supra, 445 F.2d at 702-703; United States v. Bethea, 442 F.2d 790, 793 (D.C.Cir.1971). Second, mere knowledge of the presence of contraband does not constitute constructive possession. See United States v. Pardo, supra, 636 F.2d at 549. Nor is mere friendship probative of constructive possession. See United States v. Whitfield, supra, 629 F.2d at 143 (mere friendship between driver and passenger in a car, combined with proximity to narcotics, did not create an inference of constructive possession of the narcotics). See also United States v. Holland, supra, 445 F.2d at 703 (fact that defendant was found in close proximity to the contraband in question and in an apartment belonging to someone with whom the defendant was having a love affair did not create an inference of constructive possession). 3 10 On the other hand, if proximity is coupled with a gesture toward the contraband, suggesting an ability to control the item in question, constructive possession might be inferred. See United States v. Whitfield, supra, 629 F.2d at 143. An occupant of a car therefore need merely signify control of a particular space in the car to give rise to an inference of constructive possession of contraband later found in that space. See United States v. Bethea, supra, 442 F.2d at 793 (suggesting that a jury could find constructive possession of drugs where an individual had been seen placing a gun in the same place where the drugs were ultimately found). Finally, evidence of motive or purpose in using the item in question can be probative of constructive possession. See United States v. Bethea, supra, 442 F.2d at 793 (citing Garza v. United States, 385 F.2d 899 (5th Cir.1967), for the proposition that where defendants have an ongoing purpose for the contraband, e.g., the sale of drugs in a drug possession case, such purpose can be probative of possession). Relatedly, the fact that a defendant took evasive action in response to the presence of police can be considered in inferring constructive possession. See United States v. Reese, 561 F.2d 894, 898 (D.C.Cir.1977). With these principles in mind, we turn to appellants' challenges to the legality of their convictions.