Opinion ID: 683558
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: admissibility of prior narcotics conviction

Text: 26 In 1981, Mr. Bastanipour was convicted of narcotics and false statement offenses stemming from his arrival at O'Hare Airport in possession of four kilograms of heroin packed in caviar tins. Shortly before trial, Mr. Bastanipour moved to exclude evidence of his prior narcotics conviction. The district court reserved ruling on the defendant's motion until it was determined whether the defendant would present an entrapment defense and whether he would testify at trial. Thereafter, on the third day of trial, the government filed a motion in limine in which it sought the admission of the 1981 narcotics conviction under Rule 404(b), Federal Rules of Evidence, to show Mr. Bastanipour's intent and knowledge. The district court ultimately ruled that the 1981 narcotics conviction was admissible under Rule 404(b) as evidence of his knowledge and intent and in view of the fact that Mr. Bastanipour had pressed an entrapment defense. The district court also ruled that the 1981 narcotics conviction was admissible under Rule 609 for impeachment purposes. 27 Mr. Bastanipour argues that the district court's decision to admit the evidence of his prior narcotics conviction under Rules 404(b) and 609(a), Federal Rules of Evidence, was an abuse of discretion. The defendant correctly notes that a district court's decision to admit evidence under Rules 404(b) or 609(a), Federal Rules of Evidence, is reviewed for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Nolan, 910 F.2d 1553, 1559 (7th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 942, 111 S.Ct. 1402, 113 L.Ed.2d 457 (1991) (relating to Rule 404(b), Federal Rules of Evidence); United States v. Rein, 848 F.2d 777, 781-82 (7th Cir.1988) (relating to Rule 609(a), Federal Rules of Evidence). 28 Rule 404(b), Federal Rules of Evidence, provides: 29 Evidence of other crimes, wrongs or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident. 30 In order to be admitted under Rule 404(b), Federal Rules of Evidence, evidence of prior bad acts must satisfy a four-part test: (1) the proffered evidence must be relevant to a matter in issue other than the defendant's propensity to commit the charged crime; (2) the prior bad act must be similar in nature and close in time to the crime charged; (3) the prosecution must establish that the defendant in fact committed the prior bad act; and (4) the probative value of the evidence must not be outweighed by its prejudicial effect. United States v. Goodapple, 958 F.2d 1402, 1406-07 (7th Cir.1992). 31 Mr. Bastanipour argues that the evidence of his prior narcotics conviction was improperly admitted as proof of intent as his intent to commit the crime was not an issue in the case. Mr. Bastanipour was charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute it in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1). This court has held that knowingly and intentionally to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1) is a specific intent offense. Goodapple, 958 F.2d at 1407. Nevertheless, evidence of prior drug convictions is not always relevant to prove intent under 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1). This is especially so where, as here, Mr. Bastanipour did not dispute that he had the requisite intent. In such situations, it is more likely than not that the prior bad act evidence will be used by the prosecution to create the improper inference that a person who violates the law at one time has a bad character and therefore violated the law at a different time. United States v. Beasley, 809 F.2d 1273, 1278 (7th Cir.1987). 32 Although intent may not have been an appropriate exception for the district court to consider when assessing the admissibility of the prior bad act evidence in this case, we do not believe that the district court abused its discretion in admitting the evidence. This is so because, the prior conviction evidence was relevant to rebut Mr. Bastanipour's defense of entrapment. We have previously held that evidence of a defendant's prior criminal acts is admissible to prove predisposition in an entrapment case, because in such a case the defendant's predisposition to commit the charged crime is legitimately at issue. United States v. Swiatek, 819 F.2d 721, 728 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 903, 108 S.Ct. 245, 98 L.Ed.2d 203 (1987). 33 The record also establishes that, similar to the instant offense, the prior narcotics conviction involved the importation of heroin and was committed only a few years after Mr. Bastanipour was released from incarceration on the prior offense. It is undisputed that Mr. Bastanipour committed the prior narcotics offense of which he was convicted. As to the fourth prong, Mr. Bastanipour has failed to identify any basis upon which this court could find that the prejudicial effect of this evidence outweighs its substantial probative value. 34 In view of the above, we find that the admission of Mr. Bastanipour's prior conviction under Rule 404(b), Federal Rules of Evidence, was well within the district court's discretion. Consequently, it is unnecessary for us to address Mr. Bastanipour's additional contention that such evidence should not have been admitted under Rule 609, Federal Rules of Evidence.