Court Opinion

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Opinions of the United
2008 Decisions                                                                                                             States Court of Appeals
                                                                                                                              for the Third Circuit

9-23-2008

USA v. Grant
Precedential or Non-Precedential: Non-Precedential

Docket No. 06-4231

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                                                                 NOT PRECEDENTIAL

                       UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                            FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

                                      No. 06-4231

                           UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

                                           v.

                                   ROGEL GRANT,

                                                Appellant

                      Appeal from the United States District Court
                        for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
                                 (Crim. No. 04-cr-00749)
                       District Judge: Hon. James Knoll Gardner

                     Before: McKEE and GARTH, Circuit Judges,
                          and RODRIGUEZ,* District Judge

                    Submitted pursuant to Third Circuit LAR 34.1(a)
                                    May 15, 2008

                          (Opinion filed: September 23, 2008)

                                       OPINION

McKEE, Circuit Judge.

      Rogel Grant appeals the district court’s judgment of conviction and sentence

entered on September 19, 2006. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm.

      *
       The Honorable Joseph H. Rodriguez, Senior District Judge, United States District
Court for the District of New Jersey, sitting by designation.

                                           1
       Because we write primarily for the parties, we need not recite the facts or

procedural history of this case except insofar as may be necessary for our brief discussion.

On April 5, 2005, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment charging Rogel Grant

and nine co-defendants with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, in violation of 21

U.S.C. § 846,1 and related offenses. In addition, Grant was charged with four counts of

distribution of crack cocaine and one count of possession of crack cocaine with the intent

to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1).

       On January 3, 2006, Grant went to trial with co-defendant Antoine Shirley. At the

close of the government’s evidence, Grant moved for judgment of acquittal pursuant to

Fed.R.Crim.P. 29. The district court granted the motion as to the conspiracy charge 2 but

denied it as to the remaining charges. On January 11, 2006, the jury returned a verdict

finding Grant guilty of two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and one count of

possession of crack cocaine with the intent to distribute. The jury acquitted Grant of two

counts of distribution of crack cocaine.

       On September 19, 2006, the district court overruled Grant’s objections to the

government’s information charging prior convictions for felony drug offenses, pursuant

to 21 U.S.C. § 851, and imposed a sentence of life imprisonment, a term of supervised

       1
       The superseding indictment charged that Grant was a member of the “Welmaker
Crack Cocaine Distribution Organization.”
       2
           See n.1, supra.

                                              2
release of ten years, and a special assessment of $300. This appeal followed.

                                             II.

       Grant makes four arguments in support of his appeal. Each is considered

separately below.

               A. The Government’s Closing Argument Was Improper.

       Grant contends that the Assistant United States Attorney improperly summarized

the testimony relating to the fourth drug transaction during closing argument.

Specifically, the AUSA said:

       And then, October 26, 2004. Again, a call to the same telephone number,
       arrange to meet in the Burger King lot, the video is set up, but this time
       there’s a different plan. This time the detectives plan to arrest the person
       that has been delivering, over these past three occasions, to Detective
       Karnes. And they set up, they order up, they order three ounces. They
       order, actually, three or four ounces, I believe the testimony of Detective
       Karnes was. They ordered three or four ounces. When you’re doing this,
       you’ll want somebody to come up with as much drugs as you can get, so,
       you know, have a real solid case, you order up, and that’s what they did.

App. 81. Grant submits that the AUSA impermissibly vouched for his witnesses in

arguing: “When you’re doing this, you’ll want somebody to come up with as much drugs

as you can get, so, you know, have a real solid case, you order up, and that’s what they

did.” Grant claims this statement “invit[ed] the jury to rely upon ‘special knowledge

unique to the prosecutor’ to draw the conclusion that the increasingly large undercover

drug purchases somehow rendered the case against [him] and his co-defendant ‘real

solid.’” Grant’s Br. at 24. The argument is meritless.

                                             3
       Generally, a prosecutor may not vouch for the credibility of a government witness

or express his personal opinion concerning the guilt of the defendant. United States v.

Beaty, 722 F.2d 1090, 1097 (3d Cir. 1983). In order to find improper vouching, two

criteria must be met: “(1) the prosecutor must assure the jury that the testimony of a

Government witness is credible; and (2) this assurance is based on either the prosecutor’s

personal knowledge, or other information not contained in the record.” United States v.

Walker, 155 F.3d 180, 187 (3d Cir. 1998). “[I]t is not enough for a defendant on appeal

to assert that the prosecutor assured the jury that a witness’ testimony was credible.” Id.

“The defendant must be able to identify as the basis for that comment an explicit or

implicit reference to either the personal knowledge of the prosecuting attorney or

information not contained in the record.” Id. Moreover, the prosecutor may “argue

reasonable inferences based on the evidence.” United States v. Necoechea, 986 F.2d
1273, 1276 (3d Cir. 1993). In addition, there is a distinction between expressions of

personal opinion based on the evidence and those based on facts not in evidence. United

States v. Gallagher, 576 F.2d 1028, 1042 (3d Cir. 1978). If the statements are based on

the evidence, prejudice must be shown before reversal is warranted. Id.

       Here, the AUSA’s statement was a fair summary of the evidence, which showed

that on September 28, 2004, the detectives had purchased 6 grams of crack cocaine; on

October 12, 2004, they had purchased 5.2 grams of crack cocaine; and on October 14,

2004, they had purchased 28.3 grams of crack cocaine from the individual identified to

                                             4
them as “Bradley,” an alias used by Grant. However, on October 26, 2004, the date on

which they intended to arrest “Bradley,” the detectives had a new plan. Detective

Meitzler testified:

       Q: . . . Now, Detective on October 16 of 2004, was there another event in
       this investigation?

       A: October 26th?

       Q: I’m sorry. October 26th –

       A: Yes.

       Q: – of ‘04?

       A: Again, myself and Detective Karnes, and other detectives, Task Force
       members in the Reading police met at our office. It was decided that we
       were going to attempt to arrest Mr. Rogel Grant that day.

       Q: And did that cause you to do anything differently?

       A: A few different things that day. When we met with Scott Fitzcharles
       [the confidential informant]. I advised him that we were going to arrest Mr.
       Grant that day. I also advised him that we would have a listening device in
       the vehicle for the officer’s safety, and we also had requested a larger
       amount of drugs.

       Q: Do you recall what amount you requested, amount of drugs?

       A: Three to four ounces worth of crack cocaine.

       Q: And what would you expect to have to pay for three or four ounces of
       crack cocaine in Reading?

       A: Between three to $4,000, so it was a significant purchase.

Supp. App. 50-51.

                                            5
       In light of this testimony, the AUSA’s statement was clearly based on the

evidence. The prosecutor did not vouch for any witness. It was reasonable to infer, and

therefore to argue, that the decision by the detectives on October 26, 2004, to order a

quantity of drugs that was three to four times the amount of the previous purchase, and at

least 14 times the quantity involved in the first two purchases, was based on their desire to

obtain a significant or “solid” case against Grant. Moreover, the statement was not

prejudicial, given that Grant was arrested in the Burger King parking lot immediately

after he gave three ounces of crack cocaine to Detective Karns, and while he was in

possession of an additional ounce of crack cocaine.3

       Grant also argues that the AUSA improperly argued in closing that, despite the fact

that the district court granted his motion for a judgment of acquittal on the Welmaker

conspiracy charge, Grant was likely involved in a conspiracy with someone else because

he was not arrested in possession of the cell phone that the undercover officers called to

arrange the drug buys.

       In closing, the AUSA said, in relevant part:

       Now, it may be argued to you that, Well, wait a minute, when Rogel Grant
       is caught at the Burger King lot, he doesn’t have a cell phone, 484-400-

       3
        We note that Grant did not object to the AUSA’s statement in the district court.
Thus, it is his burden to establish plain error. United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 734-
35 (1993). In order to meet his burden, Grant must prove that (1) the court erred; (2) the
error was obvious under the law at the time of review; and (3) the error affected
substantial rights, that is, the error affected the outcome of the trial. United States v.
Johnson, 520 U.S. 461, 467 (1997). Here, Grant cannot show error, let alone plain error.

                                             6
       6491, he’s got some other cell phone, so it must have been somebody else.

       Well, think about that. Rogel Grant may not be part of a conspiracy with
       the Welmakers, but he’s clearly in a conspiracy with somebody.

App. 83. Grant objected to this at trial, claiming that the government’s argument was not

based on evidence in the record.

       In response, the district court gave a curative instruction, reminding the jury that it

had dismissed the conspiracy charge against Grant involving the Welmaker organization.

However, the district court stated that whether Grant conspired with others might be

relevant to the remaining distribution charges, and that it was for the jury to decide

whether Grant conspired with anyone and to accept or reject the government’s argument.

The district court said:

       All right. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Rogel Grant has been – the
       charge of conspiracy against Rogel Grant has been dismissed, the charge
       that he conspired with people in the organization, the alleged organization
       that has been referred to as the Welmaker organization, you have nothing to
       determine concerning that. Whether or not Rogel Grant conspired with
       other persons, it would appear to me, would be irrelevant to any conspiracy
       charge against him.

       It might, however, be relevant to charges of distribution against Rogel
       Grant. There’s a dispute between the parties as to whether there is any
       evidence that Rogel Grant conspired with anyone, whether in or out of the
       Welmaker organization. That’s going to be for the jury to determine.

       If you conclude that there is evidence to support such an argument, you may
       consider the Government’s argument. If you conclude that there’s no
       evidence that he conspired with anyone, you should reject and not consider
       the Government’s argument.

       And, so, the objection is sustained in part and overruled in part, consistent

                                              7
       with that instruction.

App. 84. Grant did not object to this instruction.

       The AUSA then resumed his discussion on this issue by referring to evidence that,

on prior occasions, Grant had been driven to the Burger King parking lot (where he then

delivered drugs to the confidential informant) in two difference vehicles, by a driver or

drivers unknown. The AUSA intimated that the cell phone in question may have

remained with the person or persons in the vehicle. App. 85. Grant did not object.

       In his appeal, Grant contends that the district court’s curative instruction “could

only have obfuscated the fact that [he] was no longer being charged with conspiring with

the Welmaker organization, insofar as it suggested that the jury could find otherwise.”

Grant’s Br. at 26. We disagree and find that the AUSA’s argument was proper.

       At the time of his arrest, Grant was not in possession of the cell phone that had

been used to arrange the drug purchases. The government anticipated that Grant would,

as he did, argue that the fact that he did not have the cell phone used to order the drugs at

the time of his arrest undermined the case against him. Thus, it was appropriate for the

government to argue that the absence of the cell phone could be explained by the

evidence that Grant was working with others who may have had the phone.

       And, the government’s argument was supported by the government’s evidence that

suggested that Grant was not working alone. That evidence consisted of the testimony of

surveillance officers who observed Grant arrive at the Burger King parking lot on

                                              8
September 28, 2004 in a Chrysler driven by an unidentified person, and on October 12,

2004 in an Eagle Vision driven by a person identified by Officer Kerr as Garcia Nesta

Venson. On October 14, 2004, Grant drove the Eagle Vision to the meeting with

Detective Karns and the confidential informant. On October 26, 2004, approximately an

hour before Grant’s arrest, Detective Vega videotaped Grant arriving at the Burger King

lot as a passenger in the Eagle Vision, driven by an unidentified person. Grant was seen

leaving the vehicle, meeting with another unidentified person, going with that person to

the men’s room of the Burger King, and leaving the men’s room a short time later. Grant

was then seen reentering the Eagle Vision which left the parking lot.

       This testimony supported the government’s inference that Grant was working with,

i.e., conspiring with – others in the distribution of drugs. Thus, the AUSA’s argument to

that effect was not improper or prejudicial. Moreover, both the AUSA’s statement and

the district court’s curative instruction made it clear to the jury that the government’s

argument did not suggest that Grant was involved in the Welmaker conspiracy. In

addition, any possible prejudice was greatly lessened by the curative instruction, to which

Grant did not object. Nor did he request any further curative instruction. Finally, we are

hard-pressed to understand how the jury could have been confused by the curative

instruction, or how Grant could have been prejudiced by it, because there was no charge

of conspiracy pending against Grant.

                  B. The District Court’s Charge Did Not Fairly And

                                              9
                      Adequately Submit the Issues To The Jury.4

       Grant argues that the district court’s charge incorrectly and prejudicially suggested

that he could be found guilty of a conspiracy charge that the district court had already

dismissed. He contends that the use of the word “defendants” by the district court on

five occasions during its explanation of the crime of conspiracy was prejudicial because it

suggested that he participated in the Welmaker conspiracy, despite the fact that the

Welmaker conspiracy charge was dismissed as to him. We disagree because it is clear

that the instructions on the conspiracy charge applied only to Grant’s co-defendant

Shirley.

       The district court began its instructions on conspiracy by noting that Count One of

the superseding indictment charged that “Kelvin Welmaker, Jamarr Delmont Welmaker,

Julian Acosta, Michael Keith Bowen, Dante Jackson, Randy Dale Jackson and Luis

Daniel Marerro, and Antoine Shirley, conspired and agreed together” to distribute cocaine

       4
        “In reviewing whether a district court in its charge to the jury correctly stated the
appropriate legal standard, our review is plenary.” United States v. Johnstone, 107 F.3d
200, 204 (3d Cir. 1997). “A jury charge must clearly articulate the relevant legal
standards.” Id. “It must, therefore, be structured in such a way as to avoid confusing or
misleading the jury.” Id. “To ensure that the district court met this requirement, we must
examine the charge in its entirety and not limit ourselves to particular sentences or
paragraphs in isolation.” Id.
       Our review of the particular language employed by the district court in its charge is
for abuse of discretion. Id.
       Where, as here, an allegation of error in a jury instruction that is raised on the first
time on appeal is subject to plain error review. United States v. Turcks, 41 F.3d 893, 897
(3d Cir. 1994).

                                              10
base. App. 171. Significantly, Grant was not mentioned. A short time later the district

court made it even more clear that Grant was not involved when it stated: “The alleged

co-conspirators, Kelvin Welmaker, Jamarr Delmont Welmaker, Julian Acosta, Michael

Keith Bowen, Dante Jackson, Randy Dale Jackson and Luis Daniel Marerro, and Antoine

Lamar Shirely, but not Rogel Grant, are accused of participating in a conspiracy from in

or about January 2002, through in or about March 2005, to distribute approximately 30

kilograms of crack.” App. 174 (emphasis added).

       The district court again emphasized that this charge applied only to co-defendant

Shirley when it described the elements of the conspiracy offense. It said:

       To prove conspiracy to distribute crack, as charged in Count 1, the
       Government must prove the following two essential elements beyond a
       reasonable doubt.

       First, the conspiracy agreement or understanding to distribute crack, as
       described in the indictment, was formed by two or more persons, and was
       existing at or about the time charged in the indictment.

       And, two, Defendant Antoine Shirley knew the purpose of the agreement,
       and deliberately joined it with the intent to further its unlawful purpose.

App. 175. Once again, the district court excluded Grant from the conspiracy charge.

       Apparently, Grant’s argument is that the district court should have used the term

“conspirators” in charging the jury concerning the conspiracy count pending against

Shirley, and not the term “defendants.” However, Grant’s argument is premised on a

reading of the instruction out of context. When the district court mentioned “defendants”

it was obviously referring to the alleged co-conspirators: Kelvin Welmaker, Jamarr

                                            11
Delmont Welmaker, Julian Acosta, Michael Keith Bowen, Dante Jackson, Randy Dale

Jackson, Luis Daniel Marerro, and Antoine Lamar Shirley. In fact, at one point, the

district court explained: “If the evidence establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the

defendants, or that the co-conspirators, I should say, knowingly . . . .” App. 177. Thus,

in the context of the charge as a whole, it is clear that the district court’s reference to

defendants meant defendant Shirley and the other named defendants, not Grant and

Shirley.

       Finally, even if it is assumed for argument’s sake that the charge was erroneous,

Grant, who failed to object to it below, cannot show plain error. He cannot show how the

charge affected the jury’s verdict. The conspiracy charge against him was dismissed and

he was never convicted of conspiracy. Thus, the charge did not violate Grant’s

substantial rights or result in a miscarriage of justice. See United States v. Gambone, 314
F.3d 163, 183 (3d Cir. 2003) (erroneous use of phrase not prejudicial in context of charge

as a whole).

       Grant also argues that the district court unfairly emphasized the government’s case

during its summary of the contentions of the parties and the charges in the indictment.

We find this argument to be without merit.

       A judge is not forbidden from participating in the conduct of a trial. United States

v. Wilensky, 757 F.2d 594, 597 (3d Cir. 1985). However, the judge must not “abandon

his proper role and assume that of an advocate.” United States v. Green, 544 F.2d 138,

                                               12
147 (3d Cir. 1976). “The judge’s participation must never reach the point where ‘it

appears clear to the jury that the court believes the accused in guilty.’” United States v.

Nobel, 696 F.2d 231, 237 (3d Cir. 1982) (citation). Each case must be evaluated on its

own facts to determine whether the district court’s conduct was so prejudicial as to

deprive the defendant of a fair trial as opposed to a perfect trial. United States v. Beaty,

722 F.2d 1090, 1093 (3d Cir. 1983).

       Here, the district court recognized and adhered to these limitations. It carefully

explained to the jury the limited purpose for the summary and made it clear that it did not

intend to intrude upon the jury’s fact-finding role. It said:

       I’m not going to review all of the evidence with you, or summarize it, or
       attempt to summarize all of it. The trial was relatively short, and you have
       been an attentive jury. Moreover, the attorneys have extensively reviewed
       the evidence in their closing arguments. It is your duty to recall all of the
       admissible evidence, which has been presented, and I instruct you to do so.

       However, I will review with you some of the contentions – I will review
       with you some of the contentions of the parties in this case, in order to give
       you a context in which to better understand the principles of law, which
       must guide you in your deliberations, and in which I will instruct you.

       I do not intend to summarize all of the contentions and counter-contentions
       of the parties, but only some of the contentions of each party. Time will not
       permit me to discuss in detail every major and minor contention of the
       parties in this case. If I do not cover some of the contentions, that does not
       mean that those contentions are unimportant. It is your duty to recall, as
       best you can, all of the contentions and admissible evidence which has been
       presented, and I instruct you to do so.

       If your recollection of any of the contentions of the parties, or any portions
       of the evidence differs with my summary, disregard what I have said, and
       rely upon your own memory of those contentions and that evidence, not

                                              13
       mine.

       I would not intentionally misstate the evidence, or the contentions of the
       parties. However, it is your recollection of the evidence, and the
       contentions, on which you must rely, not mine.

       Finally, in summarizing the contentions of the parties, I am not attempting
       to indicate, by inference or otherwise, which contentions to accept or reject,
       which evidence to believe or disbelieve, or what verdict to render.
       Determining each of those things is your function, not mine, and you would
       be mistaken if you felt I were indicating any preference in those regards.

App. 158-59.

       The district court then began each contention with the prefatory statements “the

government contends” or “the government avers.” It is apparent, viewed in this context,

that the comments to which Grant objects are merely the government’s contentions.

Indeed, the one sentence to which Grant points as evidence of the district court’s alleged

bias is simply a statement of one of the government’s claims. In that sentence, and the

one before it, the district court said:

       The government contends that Defendant Grant delivered the order of crack
       that day [October 26, 2004] to the police informant and an undercover
       Berks County detective, in the Burger King parking lot in Reading. This
       time, however, Rogel Grant was arrested.

App. 161.

       Viewed in the context of the district court’s cautionary statements at the beginning

of the summary of the contentions and the statement in the preceding sentence, this

remark is plainly intended to be a part of the court’s summary of the government’s

contentions and not an expression of the court’s opinion. Indeed, the implication that the

                                             14
district court’s statement “this time, however, Rogel Grant was arrested” implied that

Grant was involved in the earlier transactions is refuted by Grant’s acquittal of two of the

three distribution charges involving sales alleged to have occurred on earlier dates.

       Finally, the district court’s comments were not one-sided. After summarizing the

government’s contentions, the district court reviewed in detail Grant’s position on each of

the crimes charged and highlighted all the alleged deficiencies in the government’s

evidence. App. 165-67.

       For all these reasons, it is clear that the district court did not unfairly emphasize the

government’s case.

                     C. The District Court Erred In Making Findings
                          Regarding Grant’s Criminal History.

       Grant contends that the district court improperly found that he was subject to the

enhanced penalties pursuant to 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A) based on his history of at least

two prior convictions for unrelated drug offenses.5 As set forth in the government’s

information charging prior offenses, Grant had three prior state drug distribution

convictions arising from three separate arrests, resulting in three prosecutions under three

separate, unrelated docket numbers. Grant does not dispute the validity of the prior

convictions. Instead, he argues that the existence of prior unrelated felony drug

       5
         Section 841(b)(1)(A) provides in relevant part: “If any person commits a violation
of this subparagraph [prohibiting the distribution of 50 grams or more of cocaine base] . .
. after two or more prior convictions for a felony drug offense have become final, such
person shall be sentenced to a mandatory term of life imprisonment without release . . . .”

                                              15
convictions which increase a statutory maximum or mandatory minimum term must be

proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. He concedes that his argument is contrary to

the presently established law. In Almendarez-Torres v. United States, 523 U.S. 224, 239-

44 (1998), the Supreme Court held that the fact of a prior conviction, which increases the

statutory maximum sentence, may be determined by the judge at sentencing and need not

be alleged in the indictment or established as an element of the offense. And, we have

acknowledged the continuing authority of Almendarez-Torres, even after United States v.

Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), in United States v. Ordaz, 398 F.3d 236, 241 (3d Cir.

2005), where he held that the use of judge-found facts concerning prior convictions does

not violate the Sixth Amendment.

       Nevertheless, he argues that “permitting a district court to determine whether a

defendant’s prior sentences are related violates the requirement of Apprendi v. New

Jersey that any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory

maximum must be submitted to a jury.” Grant’s Br. at 35. However, he has no authority

to support that argument. Indeed, Apprendi v. New Jersey, 530 U.S. 466 (2000), does not

apply to this case at all. In Apprendi, the Supreme Court held: “Other than the fact of a

prior conviction, any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed

statutory maximum must be submitted to a jury, and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Id. at 490. Here, the penalty for a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), involving 50 grams

or more of cocaine base, where no prior convictions are alleged, is “not less that 10 years

                                             16
or more than life.” 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(A). The effect of the government’s § 851

notice was to raise the mandatory minimum to life imprisonment; however, the maximum

was unaffected. Grant argues that where the “statutory minimum punishment is life in

prison . . . there is no basis for distinguishing between enhancements that increase the

maximum, versus the minimum, punishment.” Grant’s Br. at 37 n.4. However, the case

law is to the contrary. The Supreme Court has held that a judge, rather than a jury, may

make factual findings which determine a statutory mandatory minimum sentence (within

the maximum sentence allowed by the jury’s verdict). Harris v. United States, 536 U.S.
545 (2002). And, we have held that his rule “remains binding law in the wake of the

Booker decision.” United States v. Williams, 464 F.3d 443, 449 (3d Cir. 2006).

        Accordingly, we find this argument to be without merit.

                            D. The Sentence Is Unreasonable.

        In his Supplemental Brief, Grant contends that the “district court erred in

sentencing [him] to an unreasonable sentence based upon improperly harsh penalties for

involvement with crack cocaine.” Grant’s Supplemental Br. at 11. However, Grant

offers no explanation as to how or why the sentence was unreasonable other than to just

assert it as a fact.

                                             III.

        For all of the above reasons, we will affirm the district court’s judgment of

conviction and sentence.

                                              17