Opinion ID: 3010867
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Weapons Use

Text: Testimony at trial also revealed that between 1990 and 1994, Russell had his girlfriend, Melita Garcia, purchase a number of guns for him. Garcia testified that she purchased the weapons with cash given to her by Russell. Although there was no testimony relating to Russell's specific use of the guns during particular drug transactions, the government introduced evidence, over Russell's objection, pertaining to Russell's arrest in 1991 in Maple Shade, New Jersey. At the time of the arrest, Russell was traveling with Mark Smith from New York where they had purchased cocaine from one of Russell's sources. When the car was stopped, the police discovered a gun in the trunk, together with 473 grams of cocaine and packaging material. Russell pleaded guilty to the gun charge and was released for time served. Another witness, Andre Grimes, testified that in another incident relating to the drug operation, Russell used a knife 3 to assault George Felder. Grimes testified that in October 1994, he and Russell assaulted Felder because Felder had allegedly stolen approximately $400 to $500 in drug proceeds belonging to Russell. App. at 383-85. Grimes explained that when he and Russell approached Felder about the stolen money, Felder had a knife. App. at 385. Grimes testified that he felt threatened, picked up a bat and started hitting Felder with it. Id. He further testified that when Felder dropped the knife, Russell picked it up and started slicing him with it. Id. at 386. On the basis of this testimony, the court assessed a two-level increase to Russell's base offense level for possessing a dangerous weapon during the course of the offense, pursuant to S 2D1.1(b)(1) of the Sentencing Guidelines.