Opinion ID: 2978867
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Maintaining the Nagold Residence

Text: Russell first argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction under § 856(a)(1) for maintaining the property at 912 Nagold for drug-related purposes. To convict Russell under this provision, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he (1) knowingly, (2) maintained any place, whether permanently or temporarily, (3) for the purpose of distributing a controlled substance. See Frost, 1999 WL 455434, at  (citing United States v. Roberts, 913 F.2d 211, 219 (5th Cir. 1990)). To satisfy the “maintaining” element of the statute, it is not necessary that the defendant lease or own the home. See United States v. Acosta, 534 F.3d 574, 591–92 (7th Cir. 2008) (finding that a jury could infer that the defendant maintained the premises). Acts that evidence “maintenance” are “such matters as control, duration, acquisition of the site, renting or furnishing the site, repairing the site, supervising, protecting, supplying food to those at the site, and continuity . . . .” United States v. Clavis, 956 F.2d 1079, 1091 (11th Cir. 1992). “Where the defendant lives in the house, this element is normally easily proved.” Verners, 53 F.3d at 296. A review of the evidence presented at trial reveals considerable direct evidence supporting a finding that Russell maintained the Nagold home. Russell was found at Nagold when it was searched, at least one automobile was registered to Russell at the Nagold address, and the key to a Cadillac registered to Russell and parked in a hole in the Nagold fence was found in Russell’s shoe. Drugs and products used to use, package, and sell drugs were found in nearly every room, suggesting the home was maintained for drug-related purposes. No. 07-2354 United States v. Russell Page 14 Substantial circumstantial evidence also supports conviction. Although Russell’s presence during the search does not conclusively establish maintenance, no other people were present at the house when the police arrived, and he spoke to the officers as though he knew what was going on inside. Furthermore, Russell parked the trunk of his Cadillac, which was loaded with guns, through a hole in the fence so that it could only be accessed from within the Nagold premises, and he kept the key to the trunk in his shoe. A jury could reasonably infer that he took these steps in order to defend the house. As mentioned in Clavis, evidence that Russell protected the house is evidence that he “maintain[ed]” the premises. 956 F.2d at 1091. There is no evidence in the record to suggest that Russell was merely a casual visitor. The evidence is sufficient to allow a rational trier of fact to convict Russell on the charge of maintaining Nagold for drug-related purposes, and his conviction on this count is affirmed. Because we affirm, we also reject Russell’s claim of insufficient evidence to convict him of possession of a firearm in furtherance of maintaining Nagold in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924 (c)(1)(A)(i). As Russell concedes, success on this claim was predicated on us finding insufficient evidence to support his conviction of maintaining Nagold for drug-related purposes. The jury’s conviction on this count is therefore also affirmed.