Opinion ID: 76590
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Use, Carrying, or Possession of Firearms.

Text: 11 All defendants challenge the sufficiency of the evidence for their § 924(c) convictions. To sustain a conviction under § 924(c), the government must show that, during and in relation to their conspiracy to rob cocaine, defendants used, carried, or possessed a firearm in furtherance of that conspiracy. See 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Possession may be actual or constructive, joint or sole. United States v. Crawford, 906 F.2d 1531, 1535 (11th Cir.1990). 12 To establish constructive possession, the government must show that the defendant exercised ownership, dominion, or control over the firearm or the vehicle concealing the firearm. Id. The government must also establish some nexus between the firearm and the drug trafficking offense to show possession was in furtherance of the crime. United States v. Timmons, 283 F.3d 1246, 1252-53 (11th Cir.2002). And under § 924(c), a defendant may be liable for a co-conspirator's possession if possession was reasonably foreseeable. United States v. Bell, 137 F.3d 1274, 1274-75 (11th Cir.1998). 13 In this case, the loaded firearms were found in the Mitsubishi automobile in the warehouse where defendants were waiting for the address of the stash house. As occupant of the Mitsubishi and owner of the tags on the vehicle, Gunn, controlled the vehicle and, therefore, had — at least — constructive possession of the firearms. Because defendants conspired to commit armed robbery of cocaine, possession of firearms by their co-conspirator Gunn was reasonably foreseeable. And the conspiracy satisfies the nexus requirement between the firearms and the drug trafficking offense. Therefore, we conclude the evidence was sufficient to convict defendants of firearms possession. 14