Opinion ID: 66725
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sufficiency Argument (Gun Convictions)

Text: Hamilton contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his 11 convictions for knowingly possessing (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)) and carrying a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)). He argues that he had no actual or constructive knowledge of the .45 caliber pistol found by West and Brown in his vehicle and asserts that the relevant evidence only proves that he was in close proximity to the weapon – not that he owned or possessed the pistol or that he was even aware of its existence. “Under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), it is unlawful for a felon to possess a firearm.” United States v. Wright, 392 F.3d 1269, 1273 (11th Cir. 2004). To establish a violation of § 922(g), the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt three elements: (1) that the defendant was a convicted felon; (2) that the defendant was in knowing possession of a firearm; and (3) that the firearm was in or affecting interstate commerce. 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1); Wright, 392 F.3d at 1273. Possession can be actual or constructive, and can be shown by circumstantial or direct evidence. Wright, 392 F.3d at 1273. In Wright, we found that there was sufficient evidence that the defendant knowingly possessed the gun, because (1) it was found under the driver’s seat, in his car; (2) the defendant was driving his car at the time of his arrest; (3) the gun was next to an open bottle of cold beer; and (4) the defendant resisted arrest. Id. at 1273-74. Under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A), it is unlawful to use or carry a firearm 12 during or in relation to a drug trafficking crime. To establish a violation of § 924(c)(1), the government must demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant used or carried a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. See 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A); Smith v. United States, 508 U.S. 223, 22728, 113 S. Ct. 2050, 2053 (1993). We have found sufficient evidence to support a § 924(c) conviction when a gun belonging to the defendant was found in the glove compartment of a car in which the defendant was a backseat passenger, as the jury could “find that the firearm was being carried by [the defendant] in the vehicle.” United States v. Farris, 77 F.3d 391, 395-96 (11th Cir. 1996). In this case, we conclude that sufficient evidence supports the jury’s finding that Hamilton violated § 922(g)(1). Hamilton stipulated to his status as a felon, R3 at 68-69, and does not challenge the gun’s interstate nexus on appeal, so the only issue is whether he knowingly possessed a firearm. As in Wright, the gun was found near the driver’s seat of the car that the defendant was driving at the time of his arrest. Wright, 392 F.3d at 1273-74. Moreover, West testified that he repeatedly saw Hamilton trying to conceal an object (later confirmed as the .45 caliber pistol in question) before he exited the vehicle, and Bentley testified that Hamilton owned the gun although he asked Bentley to claim it. Given the testimony of West and Bentley, in conjunction with the location in which the pistol 13 was found, a rational trier of fact could conclude that Hamilton knowingly possessed the weapon. The same evidence supports the jury’s conclusion that Hamilton violated § 924(c). The issue here is whether he used or carried a firearm. As in Farris, the defendant, the gun, and the drugs were all located in the same vehicle from which he conducted drug deals. See Farris, 77 F.3d at 395. In this case, Hamilton owned the car, and the gun was found next to the seat in which he was sitting immediately prior to his arrest. In light of this evidence, a rational juror could conclude that Hamilton carried a gun in relation to his drug deals. See Nolan, 223 F.3d at 1314. Accordingly, we conclude that sufficient evidence supports Hamilton’s conviction under § 924(c).