Opinion ID: 1966817
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sufficiency of the Controlled Substances Evidence.

Text: [¶ 22.] LaPlantes next argue that apart from the marijuana evidence, the only other evidence was a limited amount of controlled substances for Jesse's personal use. LaPlantes argue that a small amount of a controlled substance, which is only intended for personal use, is insufficient to sustain a conviction for maintaining a house for the use, storage, or sale of controlled substances. LaPlantes point out that other jurisdictions with similar statutes have held that mere possession of limited amounts of controlled substances for personal use is insufficient to support a conviction. See Barnes v. State, 255 Ga. 396, 339 S.E.2d 229, 234 (Ga 1986). See also United States v. Venters, 53 F.3d 291, 296 (10thCir.1995); State v. Ceglowski, 103 Wash.App. 346, 12 P.3d 160, 163 (2000); People v. Vera, 69 Cal.App.4th 1100, 82 Cal.Rptr.2d 128, 129-130 (1999); Meeks v. State, 872 P.2d 936, 938 (Okla.Crim.App. 1994); Howard v. State, 815 P.2d 679, 683 (Okla.Crim.App.1991). [¶ 23.] We agree with the other jurisdictions and hold that SDCL 22-42-10 does not generally prohibit the mere possession of a small quantity of controlled drugs that is only intended for the personal use of the occupant. This case, however, involves more than the isolated, personal use of limited controlled substances. The totality of the evidence found here circumstantially suggests that both methamphetamine and cocaine were used, stored, and sold in the home on an ongoing basis. Some of that evidence included: 8.4 grams methamphetamine, scales, razor blades, baggies, aluminum foil, spoons, a mirror, syringes, a Rolodex, an address book, a notebook with names and dollar amounts (owe sheets), photographed pages from a book on the production of controlled drugs, two pistols with ammunition (one of which was found loaded under a bed pillow), a bulletproof vest, an assault rifle with ammunition, a safe, and cocaine and methamphetamine residue on the drug paraphernalia. [¶ 24.] This evidence was highly significant. Detective Kneip and Sergeant Mundt explained that methamphetamine is burned in spoons or on aluminum foil to ingest the smoke; syringes are used to inject the methamphetamine or cocaine into the veins; and razor blades are used to cut the controlled drugs before they are weighed and placed in the baggies. The photocopied book explained in detail how to illegally manufacture controlled drugs and avoid detection. This controlled drug paraphernalia, together with the drug records, weapons, and controlled substances was sufficient to circumstantially prove that the LaPlante house was used to sell, keep and use controlled substances on a recurring basis.