Opinion ID: 901816
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Maintaining and Possession Convictions

Text: [¶ 68.] Defendant claims that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction for maintaining a place which was resorted to by persons using controlled substances for the purpose of using such substances, or which is used for the keeping and selling of such substances in violation of SDCL 22-42-10 and that on or about April 25, 2007, he did knowingly possess a controlled substance in violation of SDCL 22-42-5. In regard to the possession charge, defendant maintains that because he was not in the residence when the methamphetamine was found, the State could not prove that he had dominion or control over the methamphetamine sufficient for possession. The State responds that because it proved that the utilities at the residence were in defendant's name, defendant lived at the residence alone, and the methamphetamine found inside the residence was subject to the dominion or control of defendant, the evidence was sufficient to prove the methamphetamine found was possessed by defendant. [¶ 69.] A conviction under SDCL 22-42-5 requires proof that the defendant knowingly possessed a controlled substance. Here, defendant does not claim that he did not know methamphetamine was in his home. In fact, he confessed that he manufactured methamphetamine for his and his friends' use. The fact that the methamphetamine was not on defendant's person when found by the police does not negate a finding of possession. See State v. Goodroad, 442 N.W.2d 246, 251 (S.D.1989) (control over the premises where narcotics are found is sufficient); see also State v. Barry, 2004 SD 67, ¶ 9, 681 N.W.2d 89, 92-93. The methamphetamine was in defendant's home, a home he confessed he used to manufacture methamphetamine, and a home for which defendant exercises all dominion and control. There is sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction. [¶ 70.] There is also sufficient evidence to sustain defendant's conviction under SDCL 22-42-10, maintaining a place where drugs are used or stored. Defendant argues that the evidence is insufficient because the State did not prove that there were any sales of methamphetamine from defendant's residence and when, if ever, others may have used methamphetamine at the residence. The State, however, contends that the totality of the evidence shows that methamphetamine was used, stored, and sold in the home on an ongoing basis. [¶ 71.] We recognize that a conviction under SDCL 22-42-10 cannot be sustained when the possession is a mere isolated, personal use of the controlled substance. See State v. LaPlante, 2002 SD 95, ¶ 23, 650 N.W.2d 305, 311. Here, however, the totality of the circumstances supports the defendant's conviction. During the search of defendant's home, officers found several wire/metal strainers, coffee filters, zip-lock bags, a roll of sandwich bags, and numerous spoons that tested positive for methamphetamine. The officers found a digital scale, on which there was a white residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. Also tested positive for methamphetamine were several snort tubes and pipes, and a white powder found in defendant's basement, which tested positive for Ephedrine, an ingredient for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Finally, the officers found a small baggie with a white powder that tested positive for methamphetamine. Based on this evidence and defendant's confession that he manufactured methamphetamine for himself and his friends, defendant's conviction under SDCL 22-42-10 is affirmed. [¶ 72.] Affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded. [¶ 73.] GILBERTSON, Chief Justice and ZINTER, Justice, concur.