Opinion ID: 764869
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Felon in Possession Charges

Text: 36 With respect to count two of the superceding indictment, which charges that Boyd was in possession of a firearm on February 1, 1997, the day of his arrest at 2091 Victory Way Lane, Boyd asserts that the only evidence the government offered was the fact that he was in the same house in which the gun was found. Boyd contends that he was not in control of the area in which the weapon was found and there was no physical evidence linking him to the gun. 37 Section 922(g)(1) makes it unlawful for any person who has been convicted in any court of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). To convict someone under § 922(g)(1), the government must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that: (1) the defendant had previously been convicted of a crime that was punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year; (2) the defendant knowingly possessed a firearm; and (3) the firearm has been in or has affected interstate commerce. United States v. Horsman, 114 F.3d 822, 824 (8th Cir.1997), cert. denied, 118 S .Ct. 702 (1998). 38 The first and third elements are undisputed. Boyd's sole argument is that he did not knowingly possess a firearm. When a defendant argues that the evidence introduced at trial was insufficient to sustain a conviction, we view the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the government, and uphold the verdict if there is substantial evidence to support it. United States v. Schubel, 912 F.2d 952, 955 (8th Cir.1990). The standard to be applied in determining the sufficiency of the evidence is a strict one, and the finding of guilt should not be overturned lightly. Id. 39 A conviction for violating § 922(g) may be based on constructive or joint possession of the firearm. United States v. Boykin, 986 F.2d 270, 274 (8th Cir.1993). Constructive possession of the firearm is established if the person has dominion over the premises where the firearm is located, or control, ownership, or dominion over the firearm itself. Id. Moreover, [c]onstructive possession can be established by a showing that the firearm was seized at the defendant's residence. Id. 40 We hold there was ample evidence to support the district court's finding that Boyd had constructive possession of the gun. Boyd was in close proximity to the firearm at the time of his arrest, there was evidence Boyd was living at Troupe's house, including Troupe's reference to the bedroom as Boyd's room, and the closet in which the weapon was found contained his clothes and his identification. Additionally, Adler testified that Boyd admitted that the gun was his after he was arrested (the statement Boyd asked the court to suppress, infra, based on the lack of Miranda warnings). 41 With respect to count eight of the superceding indictment, which charges that Boyd was in possession of a firearm on November 6, 1995, Boyd also asserts that there was no evidence, other than his mere proximity to the weapon, that showed he was in possession of the firearm. Boyd points out there was testimony at trial that he merely worked at the motel and that the motel's owner kept several firearms in the office. He further argues the evidence as easily pointed to the gun being the property of the person or persons heard running away from the room after the marshals knocked as it did to the gun being his. Relying on United States v. Johnson, 18 F.3d 641, 647 (8th Cir.1994), Boyd argues proximity to the weapon is simply insufficient to establish that he was in possession of the gun. In short, Boyd's contention is that he merely had the misfortune of standing in the vicinity of the gun when the marshals gained entrance to the room. 42 We believe the district court correctly found Boyd had constructive possession of the gun. Garrett, the officer involved in the incident, testified that before he entered, he heard a thud, which he knew was a gun. Garrett further testified that when he opened the door, the gun was just inches away from Boyd's feet. Finally, Garrett testified that on the way to the police station Boyd indicated he kept a firearm on his person for protection. The district court found Garrett to be a credible witness. We will not disturb this finding. See United States v. Heath, 58 F.3d 1271, 1275 (8th Cir.1995) (The district court's determination of credibility of witness is virtually unreviewable on appeal.). 43