Opinion ID: 673144
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Crime

Text: 52 Banda contends the government presented insufficient evidence to conclude the loaded handgun found in his residence was used or carried during a drug trafficking offense, and his sentence enhancement under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c)(1) therefore must be reversed. 53 To convict a defendant under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c)(1), the government must prove a firearm played some role in the underlying crime, and that the defendant used or carried the firearm. United States v. Torres-Medina, 935 F.2d 1047, 1048-49 (9th Cir.1991). When a firearm serves to protect the defendants or their drugs or to intimidate others, the firearm is said to have a role in the crime. United States v. Torres-Rodriguez, 930 F.2d 1375, 1385 (9th Cir.1991). 54 In Torres-Rodriguez, government agents found a loaded pistol in the defendant's bedroom, between the mattress and spring of the bed, and heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash in other rooms of the house. Id. We concluded the jury could infer from this evidence the defendant possessed the handgun to protect the contraband located on the premises. Id. See also United States v. Stewart, 779 F.2d 538, 539-40 (9th Cir.1985) (Kennedy, J.) (jury reasonably could find gun discovered in trunk of car parked in front of house containing drugs protected drug operations). 55 In the present case, the officers searching the premises at 550 Chappel Road discovered over $14,000 in cash, over 13 kilograms of cocaine, one kilogram of marijuana, and other evidence of drug trafficking. The gun was loaded and was found under a seat cushion of a loveseat in Banda's living room. This evidence was sufficient for the jury to find the gun was strategically located so as to be quickly and easily available during a drug transaction. United States v. Guy, 903 F.2d 1240, 1243 (9th Cir.1990) (internal quotations omitted). See United States v. Martinez, 967 F.2d 1343, 1346 (9th Cir.1992); Torres-Medina, 935 F.2d at 1050. The evidence was sufficient to support Banda's conviction and sentence enhancement under 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c)(1). 56