Opinion ID: 69701
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: We review challenges to the sufficiency of evidence de novo, viewing evidence in the light most favorable to the government and upholding a conviction unless a jury could not reasonably have found the defendant guilty. United States v. Emmanuel, 565 F.3d 1324, 1333 (11th Cir. 2009) (quotation omitted). Section 924(c) provides enhanced penalties for carrying a firearm “during and in relation to” a federal drug trafficking crime or for “possessing” a firearm “in furtherance of” a drug trafficking crime. 18 U.S.C. §924(c)(1)(A). To prove that a gun was possessed in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the government must establish a nexus between the gun and the drug operation. United States v. Timmons, 283 F.3d 1246, 1253 (11th Cir. 2002). We consider several factors when determining whether a defendant possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, including: the type of drug activity, accessibility of the firearm, the type of weapon, whether the weapon was stolen, the legality of firearm 5 possession, whether the gun is loaded, proximity to the drugs, and the time and circumstances under which the gun is found. United States v. Woodard, 531 F.3d 1352, 1362 (11th Cir. 2008) (citation omitted). Some of the Woodard factors are in Grey’s favor – the gun was not stolen and Grey appears to have been its legal owner. The remainder, however, weigh against him. The drug activity was a major transaction involving $18,000 and a kilogram of cocaine. The weapon was fully loaded. It was on his person, attached to his waistband, easy for him to reach and close to the drugs and the money that were involved in the transaction. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable factfinder could find that the gun facilitated the offense by giving Grey confidence and security and that he therefore possessed it in furtherance of the drug trafficking crime. Thus, there is sufficient evidence to support Grey’s conviction under the statute.