Opinion ID: 154533
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Felon in possession of firearms and ammunition

Text: 16 To obtain a conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) for possession by a felon of a firearm or ammunition, the government had to prove (1) Mr. Wilson was convicted of a felony; (2) he thereafter knowingly possessed a firearm and/or ammunition; and (3) the possession was in or affecting interstate commerce. United States v. Shunk, 881 F.2d 917, 921 (10th Cir.1989). Mr. Wilson focuses his challenge on the second element--that is, that there was insufficient evidence that he knowingly possessed the firearms and ammunition. Mr. Wilson alleges that the government failed to provide direct evidence, such as fingerprints from either weapon or his actual physical control over either weapon or the ammunition when the search was conducted. 17 Constructive possession--again ownership, dominion, or control--is sufficient for a conviction under § 922(g)(1); proof of actual possession is not required. See United States v. Cardenas, 864 F.2d 1528, 1533 (10th Cir.1989) (finding section 922(g)(1) possession shown by demonstrating that the defendant knowingly holds the power to exercise dominion and control over [the firearm]) (quoting United States v. Massey, 687 F.2d 1348, 1354 (10th Cir.1982)). Dominion, control, and knowledge may be inferred by a defendant's exclusive possession of the premises. United States v. Mills, 29 F.3d 545, 549 (10th Cir.1994). To prove Mr. Wilson's constructive possession, the government was required to show some nexus between Mr. Wilson and the firearms and ammunition. Thus, the conviction depends on whether there [is] some evidence supporting at least a plausible inference that the defendant had knowledge of and access to the weapon or contraband. Id. 18 Viewing the evidence in favor of the government, as our standard requires, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence by which a reasonable jury could conclude that Mr. Wilson knowingly possessed the firearms and ammunition. As with the constructive possession of the cocaine discussed above, the circumstantial evidence found in the house suggests that Mr. Wilson exercised sole dominion and control over the house and had constructive possession of its contents including the two SKS assault rifles and the .38 caliber ammunition. This inference is further supported by Mr. Wilson's movement towards the room with one of the rifles during the arrest, and by the location of the other rifle in the bedroom where his belongings were found. The location of the .38 caliber bullets in the house and the prior testimony of Ms. Mannie regarding Mr. Wilson's possession of a .38 caliber gun lead to a strong inference that Mr. Wilson also possessed the .38 caliber ammunition. In sum, there was sufficient evidence for the jury to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Wilson knowingly possessed the weapons and ammunition.