Court Opinion

ID: 161025
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-08-14 06:58:28+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:24:36.011091
License: Public Domain

F I L E D
                                                                      United States Court of Appeals
                                                                              Tenth Circuit
                     UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                              APR 26 2001
                                TENTH CIRCUIT
                           __________________________                    PATRICK FISHER
                                                                                  Clerk

 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

          Plaintiff-Appellee,

 v.                                                       No. 00-7072
                                                          (E.D. Okla.)
 CHIP J.W. TEAGUE,                                   (D.Ct. No. 99-CR-79-S)

          Defendant-Appellant.
                        ____________________________

                                ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Before SEYMOUR, BALDOCK, and BRORBY, Circuit Judges.

      After examining the briefs and appellate record, this panel has determined

unanimously that oral argument would not materially assist the determination of

this appeal. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2); 10th Cir. R. 34.1(G). The case is

therefore ordered submitted without oral argument.

      In October 1999, a grand jury returned an eleven-count indictment against

      *
          This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the
citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under
the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
Mr. Teague for various controlled substance and firearm violations. The jury

found Mr. Teague guilty of ten counts, and the district court sentenced him to 495

months imprisonment. 1 On appeal, Mr. Teague contends the district court

impermissibly amended the indictment. 2 We exercise jurisdiction pursuant to 28

U.S.C. § 1291 and affirm.

                                    BACKGROUND

       Since the parties do not dispute the facts of the case, we repeat only those

relevant to Mr. Teague’s issue on appeal. While Mr. Teague was on bond for

controlled substance and firearm violations discovered pursuant to a November

1998 traffic stop, officers received information reporting Mr. Teague’s

methamphetamine manufacturing. Subsequently, officers obtained a search

warrant for Mr. Teague’s residence. On May 25, 1999, officers executed the

warrant and seized an operational drug lab, 134 grams of actual

methamphetamine, and numerous firearms. Mr. Teague was arrested and released

       1
        Prior to submitting the case for jury determination, the district court granted Mr.
Teague’s motion for judgment of acquittal on Count Ten of the indictment.

       2
         At the outset, we note only Counts Four through Nine of the indictment contain
the inaccurate address. Mr. Teague challenges here as a variance to the government’s
evidence at trial. Therefore, Mr. Teague’s issue on appeal impacts these counts
exclusively. Accordingly, we limit our discussion to Counts Four through Nine of the
indictment.

                                            -2-
on bond.

      While Mr. Teague was again on bond, the officers received information Mr.

Teague had resumed his methamphetamine manufacturing. Consequently, they

obtained a second search warrant for his residence. On July 22, 1999, the officers

executed the second search warrant and seized another operational drug lab, a

firearm and a negligible amount of a controlled substance. Charges were filed

against Mr. Teague who was released on bond pending further action.

      The grand jury returned an eleven-count indictment against Mr. Teague.

Counts One through Three regard Mr. Teague’s possession of controlled

substances and firearms discovered during a November 1998 traffic stop. Counts

Four through Nine stem from the two searches of his residence. Count Eleven

involves another traffic-related incident in which police found firearms in Mr.

Teague’s possession.

      Relevant to this appeal, Counts Four through Eight stem from the May 25,

1999 search of his residence. Counts Four and Five allege Mr. Teague violated

21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) by possessing with intent to distribute and manufacturing

methamphetamine. Count Six alleges he violated 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1) by

                                        -3-
knowingly and intentionally opening and maintaining a place for the purpose of

manufacturing and distributing methamphetamine. Count Seven alleges Mr.

Teague violated 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1) by possessing firearms in and affecting

commerce after his prior conviction of a crime punishable by more than one year

of imprisonment. Count Eight alleges he violated 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) by

possessing, using and carrying firearms during and in relation to a drug

trafficking crime.

      Count Nine derives from the July 22, 1999 search of his residence. This

count alleges Mr. Teague violated 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) by manufacturing

methamphetamine.

      Counts Four through Nine of the indictment provided the location where

the violations occurred as “Route 1 Box 77-1.” However, the evidence at trial

revealed the crimes actually occurred at “Route 3 Box 77-1.” Mr. Teague

objected at trial to the admission of certain government evidence based on its

discrepancy with the “Route 1” address provided in the indictment. The trial

court overruled Mr. Teague’s objections and admitted the evidence. The district

court instructed the jury that a variance between the indictment and the proof

occurred. The jury instruction stated, in relevant part:

                                         -4-
      There has been a variance or difference between what is charged in
      the indictment and the evidence presented at trial with respect to the
      address or location where certain of the crimes charged are alleged to
      have been committed. With respect to the crimes charged, the
      location where the offense takes place is not an essential or material
      element of the crime.

Mr. Teague does not challenge this jury instruction on appeal.

      Mr. Teague appeals the district court’s decision admitting the government’s

evidence showing the controlled substance and firearm violations occurred at

“Route 3,” rather than “Route 1” as alleged in the indictment. He argues the

district court “effectively amended the indictment by admitting evidence obtained

in the search of a location different than the location stated in the indictment.”

      As a general matter, “[we] review the district court’s rulings on the

admission of evidence for abuse of discretion, if an objection is timely made.”

United States v. Magleby, 241 F.3d 1306, 1315 (10th Cir. 2001). However, we

review de novo the legal question of whether there has been an amendment to or

variance from an indictment. See United States v. Williamson, 53 F.3d 1500,

1512 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 882 (1995); see also United States v.

Manning, 142 F.3d 336, 339 (6th Cir. 1998).

                                          -5-
                                   DISCUSSION

      According to Mr. Teague, the district court either actually or constructively

amended the indictment, both of which are impermissible. The government

disputes Mr. Teague’s claim the variance rises to the level of an amendment, and

instead suggests the variance is harmless and “immaterial.” We examine each

contention in turn.

Amendment of the Indictment

      An amendment is reversible per se. See Hunter v. State of New Mexico,

916 F.2d 595, 599 (10th Cir. 1990), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 909 (1991); see also

United States v. Hathaway, 798 F.2d 902, 910 (6th Cir. 1986) (suggesting, in

dicta, amendments are prejudicial per se). An actual amendment “occurs when

the charging terms of an indictment are altered ... by the prosecutor or a court

after the grand jury has last passed upon them.” United States v. Von Stoll, 726

F.2d 584, 586 (9th Cir. 1984) (citation omitted). See also Hathaway, 798 F.2d at

910. A constructive amendment occurs when “the evidence presented at trial,

together with the jury instructions, raises the possibility that the defendant was

convicted of an offense other than that charged in the indictment.” Hunter, 916

F.2d at 599 (quotation marks and citation omitted). “In order to rise to this

[constructive amendment] level, the change in the indictment must be more than

                                         -6-
the addition or deletion of nonessential factual averments. Rather, the amendment

must effectively alter the substance of the indictment.” Id. When a constructive

amendment occurs, “the jury convict[s] the defendant upon a factual basis that

effectively modifies an essential element of the offense charged.” United States v.

Wright, 932 F.2d 868, 874 (10th Cir.) (quotation marks and citations omitted),

cert. denied, 502 U.S. 962 (1991).

      Mr. Teague asserts the district court actually amended the indictment by

admitting evidence at trial that established the firearms and controlled substance

violations occurred at “Route 3.” However, there is absolutely no evidence in the

record, and Mr. Teague cites none, indicating the indictment was actually

amended. The charging terms in each count of the indictment remain unaltered

since the grand jury last passed on them. See Hathaway, 798 F.2d at 910.

Because we discern no evidence to substantiate Mr. Teague’s claim that an actual

amendment occurred, we turn to his alternative argument the indictment was

constructively amended.

      Mr. Teague suggests the government constructively amended the indictment

“since the modification [i.e., evidence the crimes actually occurred at ‘Route 3’]

goes to an essential element of the indictment.” His constructive amendment

                                         -7-
argument focuses almost exclusively on Count Six of the indictment. 3

Specifically, he claims the government’s proof at trial alters the essential element

of “place” required in 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1). We disagree.

      Based on our review of the record, it is apparent the government’s proof at

trial did not alter the essential elements of the offense charged in Count Six. The

grand jury indicted Mr. Teague for violating 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1). Such a

charge requires proof of: (1) knowingly; (2) opening or maintaining any place;

(3) for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, or using any controlled

substance. See 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1).

      As is evident from the indictment, the government must prove, among other

elements, Mr. Teague established a “place,” and in this instance his residence, for

the purpose of producing and distributing methamphetamine. 4 However, the

      3
          As to Counts Four, Five, Seven, Eight and Nine, Mr. Teague merely asserts “[i]n
other counts Mr. Teague is charged with possessing with various other offenses at this
location as well.” However, we cannot comprehend how the incorrect address listed in
these firearm violations and drug possession and manufacturing counts “modifies an
essential element of the offense charged.” Hunter, 916 F.2d at 599. None of the various
charges mandate proof of the location, much less the exact address, where the alleged
possession and manufacturing occurred. See 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C.
§§ 922(g)(1), 924(c).

      4
          Count Six states:

                                           -8-
government need not prove that place was located on Route 1. See generally

United States v. Hamilton, 992 F.2d 1126, 1130 (10th Cir. 1993) (acknowledging

the government had to produce evidence at trial that defendant used a firearm, but

was not required to prove the firearm was a .38 caliber revolver). Stated

differently, none of the essential elements charged in the Count Six offense

require proof of the physical or mailing address where the violation occurred;

thus, the exact location where the “place” is established is irrelevant. 5

Accordingly, evidence establishing the offense occurred on Route 3, rather than

on Route 1, fails to modify an essential element of the crime. The address in the

      From on or about May 25, 1999, until on or about July 22, 1999, at Route 1
      Box 77-1, North of Sallisaw, Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, in the Eastern
      District of Oklahoma, [Mr. Teague], defendant herein, did knowingly and
      intentionally open and maintain a place for the purpose of manufacturing
      and distributing methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, to
      wit: the residence of [Mr. Teague], Route 1 Box 77-1, Sallisaw, Sequoyah
      County, Oklahoma, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section
      856(a)(1) and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2

(Emphasis added.)

      5
          Venue, or the place where the offense was committed and prosecution shall be
had, is an element of the offense that must be proved by a preponderance of the evidence.
See United States v. Cryar, 232 F.3d 1318, 1323 (10th Cir. 2000) cert. denied, ___ U.S.
___, 121 S. Ct. 1423 (2001); see also United States v. Medina-Ramos, 834 F.2d 874, 876
(10th Cir. 1987) (recognizing when a statute “does not specify venue, the place at which
the crime was committed must be determined from the nature of the crime alleged and the
location of the act or acts constituting it”) (quotation marks and citation omitted).
However, venue is not at issue in Mr. Teague’s appeal, and our holding in this case must
not be construed to affect our venue precedent.

                                           -9-
indictment is mere surplusage. See United States v. Smith, 838 F.2d 436, 439

(10th Cir. 1988) (recognizing that proof of everything in the indictment is not

required; i.e., “[w]hen the language of the indictment goes beyond alleging the

elements of the offense, it is mere surplusage and such surplusage need not be

proved”) (quotation marks and citations omitted), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1036

(1989). After reviewing the evidence presented at trial, together with the jury

instructions, we hold the district court did not constructively amend the

indictment by admitting the government’s evidence at trial.

      However, our conclusion the district court did not actually or constructively

amend the indictment does not end our inquiry. We must now determine whether

the variance affected Mr. Teague’s “substantial rights” such that reversal is

warranted. See United States v. Ailsworth, 138 F.3d 843, 848 (10th Cir.), cert.

denied, 525 U.S. 896 (1998); see also United States v. Morris, 623 F.2d 145, 149

(10th Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 1065 (1980).

Variance to the Indictment

      A simple variance, “occurs when the charging terms are unchanged, but the

evidence at trial proves facts materially different from those alleged in the

indictment.” Hunter, 916 F.2d at 598 (quotation marks omitted). When a simple

                                        -10-
variance exists, “‘convictions generally have been sustained as long as the proof

upon which they are based corresponds to an offense that was clearly set out in

the indictment.’” Id. (quoting United States v. Miller, 471 U.S. 130, 136 (1985)).

However, “[a] variance will cause a conviction to be overturned only when the

variance affects the substantial rights of the accused – i.e., ‘only when the

defendant is prejudiced in his defense because he cannot anticipate from the

indictment what evidence will be presented against him or is exposed to the risk

of double jeopardy.’” Hamilton, 992 F.2d at 1130 (quoting Hunter, 916 F.2d at

599). The defendant bears the burden of showing “not only that the variance

exists, but also that it is fatal [i.e., affects his substantial rights].” United States

v. Moore, 198 F.3d 793, 795-96 (10th Cir. 1999), cert. denied, 529 U.S. 1076

(2000).

       “[W]e examine the record as a whole to determine whether the variance

affected the substantial rights of the accused or whether it constituted harmless

error.” Wright, 932 F.2d at 874. We are mindful that when “interpreting an

indictment, [this court is] governed by practical rather than technical

considerations.” United States v. Phillips, 869 F.2d 1361, 1364 (10th Cir. 1988)

(citation omitted), cert. denied, 490 U.S. 1069 (1989). We read the indictment in

its entirety, construing it with common sense and in light of its basic purpose to

                                           -11-
inform the defendant of the pending charges. Id.

       Although a variance between the indictment and proof at trial exists, Mr.

Teague fails to claim he suffered prejudice in his defense by an inability to

anticipate the government’s evidence against him. See Hunter, 916 F.2d at 599.

First, he certainly knew from the indictment the charges against him: possession

with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Count Four); manufacturing

methamphetamine (Counts Five and Nine); opening and maintaining a place for

methamphetamine manufacture and distribution (Count Six); and firearm

violations (Counts Seven and Eight). Moreover, he could anticipate the

government’s evidence against him because all of these counts stem from the May

25, 1999 and July 22, 1999 searches of his residence conducted pursuant to search

warrants. 6 Not only did the indictment state the approximate date when the

violations occurred, but also provided an itemized list of the numerous firearms

and a description of the controlled substances recovered therefrom. Therefore,

we hold that despite the technically imperfect address given in the indictment to

indicate where the crimes occurred, the indictment plainly provided Mr. Teague

       6
         Numerous witnesses testified the residence searched by the officers belonged to
Mr. Teague. Mr. Teague’s defense strategy consisted of cross-examining witnesses and
introducing certain exhibits in an attempt to cast doubt on whether the residence allegedly
searched actually belonged to him.

                                           -12-
with sufficient detail and adequate notice of the pending charges and evidence

against him. See Phillips, 869 F.2d at 1364; see also Hunter, 916 F.2d at 599.

Accordingly, Mr. Teague’s defense was not prejudiced by the variance.

      Likewise, Mr. Teague fails to suggest any potential exposure to double

jeopardy as a result of the variance. See Hunter, 916 F.2d at 599. It is evident

his conviction based on the indictment “would bar a subsequent prosecution for

the same offense” despite the inaccurate address. United States v. Freeman, 514

F.2d 1184, 1189 (10th Cir. 1975). From our review of the record, we hold Mr.

Teague suffers no risk of double jeopardy.

      Accordingly, we hold the district court did not impermissibly amend the

indictment, and the variance between the indictment and proof at trial does not

affect Mr. Teague’s substantial rights. See Wright, 932 F.2d at 874. Therefore,

the district court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the government’s

evidence at trial. Because Mr. Teague is represented by counsel, his motion to

file a pro se brief is denied. See United States v. Guadalupe, 979 F.2d 790, 795

                                        -13-
(10th Cir. 1992). We AFFIRM.

                               Entered by the Court:

                               WADE BRORBY
                               United States Circuit Judge

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