Opinion ID: 1364765
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Count 5Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

Text: To prove possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the Government must prove (1) Thornton committed a drug trafficking crime; (2) Thornton knowingly possessed a firearm; and (3) the possession of the firearm was in furtherance of this drug trafficking crime. See 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Law enforcement officers seized numerous firearms during the raid on the drug house used by Martin and Thornton. In addition, Martin testified that he and Thornton carried firearms to protect themselves in the course of dealing with their suppliers. This is sufficient evidence for a rational jury to conclude that Thornton possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.