Opinion ID: 700072
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: False information in indictment

Text: 9 Blackwell contends that the indictment was invalid because it was issued after Special Agent Warren testified before the grand jury that Blackwell owned the vehicle. Because this issue was not raised in the district court, this Court's review is for plain error. Fed.R.Civ.P. 51; Hafner v. Brown, 983 F.2d 570, 578 (4th Cir.1992); see United States v. Olano, 61 U.S.L.W. 4421, 4424 (U.S.1993). 10 The challenged statement is: Ward recovered a loaded Raven Arms .25 caliber pistol bearing Serial Number 1453013 from Black well's vehicle. Blackwell asserts that without this statement, the grand jury would not have returned an indictment against him. Because possession of a firearm may be determined without proof that the defendant owned the vehicle or controlled the area in which the contraband was found, this contention is without merit. 11