Opinion ID: 158851
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Possession of the Drugs and Gun

Text: 14 The government argues that it presented sufficient evidence from which a jury could conclude that defendant constructively possessed the drugs and gun. A person constructively possesses contraband when he or she knowingly holds ownership, dominion or control over the object and premises where it is found. Lazcano-Villalobos, 175 F.3d at 843. A defendant's exclusive possession of the object or premises may support an inference of constructive possession, but joint occupancy of the object or premises cannot sustain such an inference. Id. To prove constructive possession where there is joint occupancy, the government must present direct or circumstantial evidence to show some connection or nexus individually linking [defendant] to the contraband. Id. In other words, the government must offer evidence that supports at least a plausible inference [that defendant] knew of the contraband. Id. 15 Here, defendant jointly occupied the van with four other occupants. Nevertheless, ample evidence exists from which a jury could have found defendant knew of the drugs and gun in the vehicle. First, defendant engaged in furtive actions in the rear of the van as Officer Gates followed the vehicle. Second, both the drugs and the gun were found in the rear of the van close to where defendant had been seated. Third, the police found trace amounts of methamphetamine in defendant's jacket. Fourth, the gun was a 9 millimeter colt pistol and the police found five rounds of 9 millimeter ammunition on the defendant. Finally, one of the bullets defendant was carrying appeared to have been cycled previously through the gun. 16 Thus, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, sufficient evidence exists to support the jury's convictions of defendant for possession of narcotics with the intent to distribute, carrying a firearm during a drug offense, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The government presented evidence supporting at least a plausible inference that defendant constructively possessed the drugs and gun in the van.