Opinion ID: 700633
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Firearms Convictions

Text: 17 Jefferson next challenges his four firearms convictions (Counts 4-7). Count 4 charged Jefferson with aiding and abetting the carrying and use of a firearm during and in relation to the March 19, 1993 drug deal at the Alamatt Motel, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 924(c). To establish an offense under Sec. 924(c), the government need not prove that the defendant used, handled or brandished the weapon in an affirmative manner, but rather need only prove that the firearm was available to provide protection to the defendant in connection with the drug trafficking offense. See United States v. Rocha, 916 F.2d 219, 237 (5th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 934, 111 S.Ct. 2057, 114 L.Ed.2d 462 (1991). To sustain a conviction of an aiding and abetting offense, the government must show that the defendant associated with a criminal venture, participated in the venture and sought by action to make the venture succeed. United States v. Stone, 960 F.2d 426, 433 (5th Cir.1992). 18 The firearm in question, a Stallard Arms Model JS nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, was taken from co-conspirator Jerry Kyser after the reverse sting operation at the Alamatt Motel. The gun was available to Kyser during that transaction to use should the need arise. Kyser testified that Jefferson had engineered the Alamatt Motel meeting and had furnished the firearm to Kyser for protection during that transaction. From this evidence, a rational jury could have found that the government proved the elements of the Sec. 924(c) offense beyond a reasonable doubt. 19 Counts 5-7 charge Jefferson with violating 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g)(1), which makes it unlawful for a convicted felon to possess in or affecting commerce, any firearm or ammunition. Count 5 refers to the same pistol discussed above, which was seized from Jerry Kyser at the Alamatt Motel. Count 6 refers to a Smith & Wesson Model 1006 ten-millimeter semi-automatic pistol seized by agents from under Jefferson's mattress during a search of his residence. Count 7 refers to a Ruger Model P-85 Mark II nine-millimeter semi-automatic weapon with laser sight seized from Antoine Gilmore during a search of The Side Effect. 20 Jerry Kyser testified that Jefferson gave him the Stallard to take to the Alamatt Motel and that he had seen Jefferson on prior occasions with the Smith & Wesson. Antoine Gilmore testified that Jefferson gave him the Ruger to protect the business from other drug dealers. Again, Jefferson's only challenge is that these witnesses are not credible. This argument was for the jury, which obviously did not accept Jefferson's argument. The evidence was sufficient to support the firearms convictions.