Opinion ID: 187186
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Maintaining a Drug Residence

Text: The jury found Fletcher guilty of Count 4, maintaining a drug residence at 200 K Street in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1). Section 856(a)(1) makes it unlawful to knowingly open, lease, rent, use, or maintain any place, whether permanently or temporarily, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled substance. See United States v. Lancaster, 968 F.2d 1250, 1254 (D.C.Cir. 1992). On appeal, Fletcher argues that the evidence shows that another person rented and maintained the 200 K Street apartment; Fletcher further contends that there was no evidence that he owned, leased, lived in, had a key to, or had any control over the apartment; the evidence showed only that he went there occasionally to carry out drug transactions. The Government concedes on appeal that the evidence is insufficient to support Fletcher's conviction on this count. Accordingly, we reverse Fletcher's § 856(a)(1) conviction; as the Government acknowledges, we must therefore remand Fletcher's case for re-sentencing.