Opinion ID: 783210
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Evidence of Prior Drug Conviction

Text: 10 Williams was convicted in 1996 in Iowa state court of delivery of cocaine base. Over Williams's objection, the District Court permitted the Government to introduce the 1996 conviction as evidence of Williams's knowledge of cocaine base and his intent to aid and abet in its distribution. Williams argues that introducing the conviction violated Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Again, our review is for abuse of discretion. United States v. LeCompte, 99 F.3d 274, 277 (8th Cir.1996). 3 11 Evidence of a prior crime is admissible if the prior crime is relevant to a material issue, similar in kind and close in time to the charged crime, and supported by sufficient evidence. United States v. Ruiz-Estrada, 312 F.3d 398, 403 (8th Cir.2002), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 123 S.Ct. 1766, 155 L.Ed.2d 525 (2003). In addition, its probative value must not be outweighed by any improper prejudicial impact. Id. Evidence of a prior crime is inadmissible, however, to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. Fed.R.Evid. 404(b). That is, [s]uch evidence is not admissible `solely to prove the defendant's criminal disposition.' LeCompte, 99 F.3d at 277 (quoting United States v. Shoffner, 71 F.3d 1429, 1432 (8th Cir.1995)). 12 Williams argues that evidence of his 1996 conviction should not have been admitted because it is not similar in kind or close in time to the crime he was charged with committing. He explains that his 1996 conviction appeared to be sales of small quantities for personal use rather than a sale of a larger amount for resale as the size of the July 18, 2001 sale suggested. Br. of Appellant at 18. Our cases, however, do not support the suppression of a prior drug conviction in the prosecution of a drug offense where the prior conviction involved drugs for personal use rather than for sale. See, e.g., United States v. Powell, 39 F.3d 894, 896 (8th Cir.1994). This case is no different. The discrepancy in quantity between Williams's prior conviction and the present prosecution does not change the prior conviction's probative value as to Williams's knowledge and intent. See United States v. Oates, 173 F.3d 651, 660 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 528 U.S. 890, 120 S.Ct. 213, 145 L.Ed.2d 179 (1999). Williams also argues that the 1996 conviction is too remote to be relevant, but we do not believe the five-and-a-half years that elapsed between his prior conviction and the July 18, 2001, sale of cocaine base weakens the prior conviction's probative value. See United States v. Burkett, 821 F.2d 1306, 1309-10 (8th Cir.1987) (approving admission of evidence of prior crime committed seven years before offense for which defendant was being tried). We find this to be particularly true concerning the prior conviction's relevance as to Williams's knowledge that he was distributing cocaine base; we believe he could recognize cocaine base with the same accuracy in 2001 as he did in 1996. 13 Alternatively, Williams contends that the prejudicial impact created by the introduction of the 1996 conviction substantially outweighs the conviction's probative value. The Government is correct that the conviction had significant probative value — as we just explained, it provides evidence of Williams's knowledge and intent. It was especially probative because the conviction concerned the same drug, cocaine base, that the Government charged Williams with distributing in this case. Of course, this similarity creates the prejudicial effect — the notion that Williams has a propensity to deal in cocaine base — that concerns Williams. To ensure this prejudicial effect would be minimal, the District Court instructed the jury that it was permitted to use the conviction only in considering Williams's knowledge and intent. Trial Tr. at 199-200. He told the jury, Remember, even if you find that the Defendant may have committed a similar act in the past, this is not evidence that he committed such an act in this case. You cannot convict a person simply because you believe he may have committed similar acts in the past. Id. We believe this charge to the jury greatly decreased any likelihood of undue prejudice, see United States v. Fletcher, 322 F.3d 508, 519 (8th Cir.2003), and the admission of the evidence of Williams's 1996 conviction was not an abuse of the District Court's discretion.