Court Opinion

ID: 4533910
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-05-13 17:04:39.276222+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:39:12.853095
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                   No. 19-0699
                               Filed May 13, 2020

STATE OF IOWA,
     Plaintiff-Appellee,

vs.

CHARLES L. CAIN JR.,
     Defendant-Appellant.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Scott J. Beattie, Judge.

      Charles L. Cain Jr. appeals from convictions for drug offenses.

CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART, SENTENCES

VACATED, AND REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING.

      Susan R. Stockdale, West Des Moines, for appellant.

      Thomas J. Miller, Attorney General, and Louis S. Sloven, Assistant Attorney

General, for appellee.

      Considered by Bower, C.J., and Greer and Ahlers, JJ.
                                            2

BOWER, Chief Judge.

       Charles L. Cain Jr. appeals from convictions for conspiracy to deliver

methamphetamine      while     in     possession   of   a   firearm,   possession   of

methamphetamine with intent to deliver while possessing a firearm, and failure to

possess a drug tax stamp. He challenges the sufficiency and weight of evidence

supporting his convictions and also contends the court abused its discretion in

ruling on the admissibility of evidence. We affirm Cain’s possession-with-intent-

to-deliver conviction, reverse his conspiracy and tax-stamp convictions, vacate the

sentences, and remand for resentencing.

I. Background Facts and Proceedings.

       At about 1:00 a.m. on September 28, 2018, Deputy Bradley Hook was

patrolling an unincorporated area of Polk County when he observed a van with a

camera mounted over the license plate, obstructing the letters on the license plate.

Deputy Hook attempted a traffic stop, activating his siren and lights. The van

turned on its right blinker, slowed, and appeared to be pulling over. But the van

then picked up speed and continued on. Deputy Hook pursued the van for about

fourteen minutes over rural roadways and through neighborhoods at speeds

ranging from twenty to eighty-five miles per hour. Additional law enforcement

vehicles joined the pursuit.        The pursuit was recorded by the officers’ dash

cameras.

       During the pursuit, Deputy Hook saw items being thrown from the van. He

remembered seeing papers, bags, something that “looked like a hammer or

hatchet,” and “some needles” thrown from the passenger side of the van. Deputy

Hook saw a methamphetamine pipe and a handgun thrown from the driver’s side.
                                         3

Deputy Jacob Murillo was behind Deputy Hook and also observed items being

thrown from the passenger-side window. The chase ended when the van drove

into a residential driveway and was blocked by several police vehicles.1

       Police officers surrounded the van and ordered the occupants out. Deputy

Murillo approached the van on the passenger side. The passenger exited the van

and was placed in handcuffs. The passenger refused to identify himself. The

driver—Joshua Olson—remained in the van clutching a dog despite being ordered

out of the vehicle. Olson, still clutching his dog, moved about in the van and then

rolled into the back. Deputy Hook described the back of the van: “The bench seats

weren’t there. It was kind of like a big bed. A bunch of clothes, pillows, blanket.”

The officers used a stun gun on Olson twice before pulling him out through a rear

window broken out by officers.

       Olson told the officers the passenger was Cain. When searched, Cain had

nothing on his person. On Olson’s person, Deputy Hook found a small plastic

baggie containing methamphetamine and a dollar bill wrapped around a “larger

shard” of methamphetamine. Officers also located about $500.2

       Deputy Murillo observed,

       As the passenger exited the vehicle, I saw two hypodermic needles
       in the passenger seat. One had a cap on it and appeared to be
       unused. The other was uncapped and appeared to have a clear
       liquid substance inside, which is consistent with methamphetamine.
               Q. And were those items on the passenger seat as that
       passenger was exiting the vehicle? A. Yes.
               Q. And did you observe those things right away? A. I did.

1The owner of the residence was related to the driver.
2The record is not clear from where this money was recovered, though Detective
Kemmer testified it was recovered from Olson.
                                            4

       Officers also found loose crystals on the passenger seat and a small plastic

zipper bag with a clover imprint containing .36 grams of methamphetamine on the

floor near the passenger-side door.3 There were cotton swabs scattered about.4

Inside a black leather bag located between the passenger and driver seat, officers

found several small new plastic zipper bags with a clover imprint and a digital scale.

There were also loose crystals of methamphetamine on the driver’s seat. Officers

collected the loose crystals from the two front seats and placed them into an

available small zipper bag; the crystals were later weighed as 0.33 grams. On the

floor on the driver’s side, there was a large plastic zipper bag containing

methamphetamine (net weight of 5.92 grams) under a jug containing water.5 In

the back of the van, where Olson was sitting before he was dragged from the van,

officers found two large baggies containing methamphetamine weighing 59.6

grams (approximately two ounces). Officers also found four cell phones, two of

which were on the floor near the passenger seat and were later determined to be

Cain’s.

3 Field tests and later testing identified all the crystalline substances and the liquid
in the syringe as methamphetamine.
4 Cotton swabs are used to absorb liquid, and then a syringe can be inserted into

the cotton to extract the liquid.
5 Deputy Jacob Murillo testified at trial: “On the driver’s seat, there was loose

methamphetamine spread everywhere over the seat. And then there was a gallon
jug of water which had a little bit of water inside of it and then a gallon sized [plastic
bag] underneath that. And inside the bag was also more methamphetamine.” The
outside of the large bag of methamphetamine was “extremely wet,” and there was
water inside the bag as well. It looked like an attempt to destroy the drugs because
“[m]ethamphetamine would dissolve if it was wet.”
                                         5

       Because of the amounts of methamphetamine found, Detective Jeremy

Kemmer of the Mid-Iowa Narcotics Enforcement task force was contacted and

came to the scene to assist the other officers.

       Officers were tasked to look for discarded items along the route of the chase

later that morning. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Anderson found “three

different types of syringe bags” near lottery tickets. One of the syringe bags had

been designed to hold “ten single use needles.” Officer Jacob Cusack located a

loaded handgun near a mailbox where Deputy Hook reported he saw it skid to a

stop after it was thrown out the driver’s side window.

       Olson and Cain were jointly charged with conspiracy to deliver a controlled

substance while in possession or control of a firearm, possession of a controlled

substance with intent to deliver while possessing a firearm, failure to possess a tax

stamp, and eluding. The two were tried separately.

       At Cain’s trial, Detective Kemmer testified he had been asked to review the

evidence obtained from the van. He testified the quantity of narcotics can indicate

personal use or distribution:

              The types of weights that it’s generally bought are from a
       gram. Above a gram you could have what’s called a teener. A teener
       is around 1.75 grams of meth. Above that you’ll have what’s referred
       to as a ball or an eight ball. That’s 2.75 grams. Above there you’ll
       have quarter ounce, half ounce, whole ounce. And then quarter
       pound, half pound, pound.
              ....
       Generally for user amounts you’ll have around a ball size, an 8th of
       an ounce, and below. Commonly the sizes above that such as a
       quarter ounce, half ounce, and up, those are generally dealer type
       amounts.

Detective Kemmer testified that the quantity of plastic bags and the digital scale

found in the van were indicative of distribution rather than personal use:
                                         6

       Generally dealers have some sort of packing material. Whether it’s
       sandwich bags, something that—[plastic storage] bags. Some type
       of container that they can put the meth in for distribution. Common
       other tool is a digital scale. They don’t want to give more than they
       sell so they’ll weigh the amount so it’s accurate or more times than
       not a little less than what the agreed upon amount is.

Detective Kemmer also testified drug traffickers commonly attempted to distance

themselves from drugs or destroy evidence to avoid apprehension. Detective

Kemmer stated that the amount of methamphetamine recovered from the van was

consistent with narcotics trafficking.

       Detective Kemmer also searched Cain’s cell phones. He testified Olson

was a contact in one of Cain’s cell phones.

       Over the defense’s objection, redacted portions of Cain’s text messages

between Cain and another person were admitted. The following exchange then

occurred:

               Q. And, detective, I’m going to hand you that as well. Can you
       read across when the messages was sent, by whom, and what was
       said? A. It’s from a number—you want the number also?
               Q. No. Just the description of the contact. A. From a number
       on 9/24/2018 at what would be 10:14 p.m. to the defendant’s phone.
       “Dude, I really need some of that money.”
               A return text to a number, the previous number, on 9/24/2018
       at 10:15 says, “I know, bro. I got some shit.”
               Another text to the defendant’s phone at 9/24/2018 at 10:20
       reads, “I am so broke.”
               From the defendant’s phone to that person at 9/24/2018 at
       10:24 p.m. says, “I get that. Me too, bro. I have nothing. No rent
       money. Not shit. I’m fucked, but don’t worry. I got you, bro.”
               Q. Now, detective, based on those text messages, how did
       that interplay in your investigation? A. Well, it’s somebody’s asking
       him for money. It’s apparent that the defendant owes someone
       money. The defendant says, I got some shit. Shit, poop, are
       common terms referring to meth. And then at the end the defendant
       tells what looks like J-Quick in his contacts, I get that. Me too.
               I get that, he’s broke. He doesn’t have anything, but says not
       to worry. I got you. So to me that infers that he’s got drugs to sell
                                       7

      and he’ll be able to pay him once he gets rid of it some of it. Sell
      some of it.

The messages were exchanged four days before the September 28 pursuit.

      On cross examination, the following exchange occurred between defense

counsel and Detective Kemmer:

             Q. Okay. Now I want to ask you a few questions about the
      total amount of methamphetamine that was found, roughly [sixty-
      three] grams.[6] Now the information—well, correct me if I’m wrong.
      The information you received was when Mr. Olson was found in the
      back of the vehicle. He was on top of two of the larger bags of
      methamphetamine, would that be was that correct? A. Yes.
             Q. And those would be the bags that had 27.81 grams and the
      other bag that had 28.06 grams; correct? A. . . . Correct.
             Q. Thank you. The 5.92 gram bag that, would have been the
      bag that was located at Mr. Olson’s feet; correct? A. Yes.
             Q. . . . The .33 gram bag, that would have been the one that
      was found in Olson’s pocket; correct? . . . . A. Yes.
             ....
             Q. Okay. Thank you. Now the 27.81 gram bag and the 28.06
      gram bag, I mean, those would be really consistent with narcotic
      delivery; correct? A. Yes.

      On redirect, the prosecutor asked Detective Kemmer:

              Q. You were also asked about whether Mr. Olson was a
      contact on Mr. Cain’s phone; is that right? A. Yes.
              Q. And you were asked if there was anything referring to
      narcotics transactions between them and you said not explicitly; is
      that right? A. Yes.
              Q. What did you mean by not explicitly? A. I can’t remember
      exactly how the conversation went. There was—
              [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Your Honor, I’m going to object at
      this point. If we may approach.
              THE COURT: You may.
              (Bench discussion was held off the record.)[7]
              [PROSECUTOR]: Detective Kemmer, I’m going to rephrase
      that question for you. When you reviewed the conversations

6This represents the net weight of the methamphetamine in the van.
7A later record was made about the objection made during the bench conference.
Defense counsel objected on two grounds, the first of which he would later
withdraw. “But the other objection I made though was—was that it was
commenting on evidence that was not introduced at the trial.”
                                            8

         between Mr. Olson and Mr. Cain, earlier you said there was nothing
         explicit relating to narcotics trafficking. Without telling us what those
         messages were, were there items that based on your training and
         experience could implicitly have been referencing narcotics
         distribution? A. Yes.
                 Q. And you’re also asked—from those messages, was it
         apparent based on your review that they knew each other? A. Yes.

         The defense moved for a judgment of acquittal, asserting there was no

evidence of an agreement sufficient to prove a conspiracy and that Cain’s proximity

to drugs was not sufficient to show possession. The State argued:

         Whether it’s in the physical distribution itself or in the destruction of
         evidence, which is suggested through the testimony of Detective
         Kemmer about narcotics dealers intent to conceal their actions from
         law enforcement. Here there is overwhelming evidence to suggest
         that not only did Mr. Cain know it was in the vehicle, not only did he
         know the illegal nature of what he had, but he knew he had to get rid
         of it. And he got rid of the majority of it. In the video items are
         continuously flying out the window. And I believe the jurors can make
         reasonable inferences from what’s being thrown that Mr. Olson/Mr.
         Cain knew each other, that there’s a large quantity of narcotics in the
         vehicle found not just merely in proximity, but everywhere. And some
         of those same items that are found next or on where the defendant
         is seated, were flying out the window during the chase. And the
         evidence does support that.

The case was submitted to the jury, who found Cain guilty of conspiracy to deliver

a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver,8 and failure to possess a

tax stamp. The jury found Cain not guilty of eluding. Cain appeals.

II. Scope and Standard of Review.

         We review challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence for the correction

of legal error. State v. Cashen, 666 N.W.2d 566, 569 (Iowa 2003). We uphold the

jury’s verdict if the record contains substantial evidence to support it. Id.

Substantial evidence is the quality and quantity of proof that could convince a

8   The first two charges were subject to a firearm enhancement.
                                            9

rational fact finder that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. To

gauge whether the evidence is substantial, we review the record in the light most

favorable to the verdict. Id.

         We review rulings on motions for new trial based on the weight of the

evidence for an abuse of discretion. State v. Serrato, 787 N.W.2d 462, 472 (Iowa

2010). We also review evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. State v.

Huston, 825 N.W.2d 531, 536 (Iowa 2013). We will find an abuse of discretion

only if the “court’s decision rested on grounds or reasoning that were clearly

untenable or clearly unreasonable.” State v. Plain, 898 N.W.2d 801, 811 (Iowa

2017).

III. Sufficiency of the Evidence.

         Cain first argues there is not substantial evidence to support the convictions.

With respect to the conspiracy conviction, Cain contends there is not sufficient

evidence of an agreement between him and Olson. With respect to the convictions

for possession with intent to distribute and failure to possess a tax stamp, Cain

challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to establish he possessed a controlled

substance or had an intent to distribute, and whether the amount of controlled

substance was large enough to require a tax stamp. We will address each in turn.

         A. Conspiracy.       “A conspiracy is essentially a criminal contract

characterized as a concert of free wills, union of the minds of at least two persons,

and a mental confederation involving at least two persons.” State v. Kern, 831
N.W.2d 149, 159 (Iowa 2013) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

“Conspiracies are, by nature, clandestine affairs.” Id. Because direct evidence of

an agreement to form a conspiracy is often absent, “we have consistently allowed
                                           10

circumstantial evidence and inferences drawn from the circumstances to support

a conviction on a conspiracy charge.” Id.

       The jury was instructed that to convict the defendant of conspiracy to deliver

a controlled substance, the State was required to prove all of the following: (1) On

or about the 28th day of September, 2018, Cain “agreed with Joshua Olson” that

“one or both of them would deliver or attempt to deliver a controlled substance, in

this case methamphetamine”; (2) Cain “entered into such an agreement with the

intent to promote or facilitate the delivery of methamphetamine”; (3) Cain or Olson

“committed an overt act to accomplish the delivery of methamphetamine”; and

(4) Olson, the “co-conspirator, was not a law enforcement agent or assisting law

enforcement when the conspiracy began.”

       The jury was also instructed:

       The State must prove the defendant and Joshua Olson came to a
       mutual understanding that possession of methamphetamine with the
       intent to deliver would be attempted or committed. The agreement
       can be oral or written, informal or formal, and need not be detailed.
       It may be proven by direct or circumstantial evidence of a person’s
       words, actions or gestures.

       Cain contends there is insufficient evidence of an agreement with Olson to

deliver methamphetamine. The State argues that the circumstantial evidence

taken as a whole—Cain’s presence in the van, Olson’s name as a contact in Cain’s

cellphone, Cain’s texts to another suggesting a drug sale four days prior, and

Cain’s throwing items from the van—establish an agreement to distribute

methamphetamine. While we agree this evidence may be indicative of aiding and

abetting an illegal activity, we cannot agree it is sufficient to establish a conspiracy.

See State v. Huser, 894 N.W.2d 472, 504 (Iowa 2017) (“By attempting to help
                                        11

Woolheater load the body into the trunk of her vehicle and helping Woolheater load

Morningstar’s tractor onto Woolheater’s truck, Zwank may well have been aiding

and abetting the criminal acts of Woolheater, but aiding and abetting and

conspiracy are different concepts.”9 (emphasis added)). Finding an agreement

existed by between Olson and Cain confounds the concepts of aiding and abetting

and conspiracy.

      An interpretation of vague text messages exchanged between Cain and

another   person   in   conjunction   with   Cain’s   presence   in   a   van   with

methamphetamine four days later is too attenuated and speculative to establish

Cain “agreed with Joshua Olson” that “one or both of them would deliver or attempt

to deliver a controlled substance, in this case methamphetamine.”

      “Circumstantial evidence of an agreement must be based on more than

suspicion.” Kern, 831 N.W.2d at 159. “Evidence is not substantial if it raises only

suspicion, speculation or conjecture.” State v. Speicher, 625 N.W.2d 738, 741

(Iowa 2001). The record evidence raises only suspicion or speculation of an

9In State v. Huser, 894 N.W.2d 472, 490–91 (Iowa 2017), the court explained:
        [I]n order to support an aiding and abetting theory, the record must
        contain substantial evidence that the accused assented to or lent
        countenance and approval to the criminal act “either by active
        participation or by some manner encouraging it prior to or at the time
        of its commission.” We observed, “Knowledge is essential; however,
        neither knowledge nor presence at the scene of the crime is sufficient
        to prove aiding and abetting.”
                Aiding and abetting may be proven by direct or circumstantial
        evidence. Direct and circumstantial evidence are equally probative.
        We have stated that a fact finder may infer a defendant’s participation
        from all of the surrounding circumstances of the illegal activity,
        including evidence of presence, companionship, and conduct before
        and after the offense is committed.
(Citations omitted.)
                                         12

agreement between Cain and Olson. We cannot uphold a conviction based on

mere speculation. See id. at 742. We therefore reverse Cain’s conviction for

conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance.

       B. Possession with intent to distribute. “In the realm of controlled substance

prosecutions, possession can be either actual or constructive.” Cashen, 666
N.W.2d at 569. Here, the State relies on a theory of constructive possession.

       Constructive possession exists when the evidence shows the defendant

“has knowledge of the presence of the controlled substance and has the authority

or right to maintain control of it.” State v. Maxwell, 743 N.W.2d 185, 193 (Iowa

2008) (citation omitted). “Constructive possession may be proved by inferences.”

State v. Reed, 875 N.W.2d 693, 705 (Iowa 2016).            Although a defendant’s

proximity to the contraband is pertinent, it “is not enough to show control and

dominion.” Id. (citation omitted). In determining whether the defendant possessed

contraband discovered in jointly occupied structures, there are several

nonexclusive factors to consider:

       (1) incriminating statements made by a person; (2) incriminating
       actions of the person upon the police’s discovery of a controlled
       substance among or near the person’s personal belongings; (3) the
       person’s fingerprints on the packages containing the controlled
       substance; and (4) any other circumstances linking the person to the
       controlled substance.
Id. at 706 (citation omitted). But mere suspicion, speculation, or conjecture cannot

establish guilt. See id.

       Although methamphetamine was not found on Cain’s person, substantial

evidence could support a finding that he had constructive joint possession of

methamphetamine in the area of the front seats of the van on September 28, 2018.
                                         13

Cain could not have been blind to the existence of the methamphetamine in the

front of the van—he was sitting on it, and on his van seat was a syringe of

methamphetamine with an exposed needle. As observed by Deputy Hook, “Just

walking up to [the van], you could see paraphernalia all over. Baggies. Loose

meth laying everywhere.” When asked if it is common to find loose scattered

methamphetamine in a vehicle, Deputy Hook responded: “No. . . . I mean, it cost

them money. They don’t want to lose it. . . . [T]hey usually take pretty good care

of it. Keep it nearby.” A baggy of methamphetamine was on the floor under the

passenger seat near two cell phones, at least one of which was Cain’s. Items had

been thrown from the passenger side of the van, including packaging for

hypodermic needles and a needle. There was also other evidence of an attempt

to destroy or conceal methamphetamine; there was a gallon zipper bag of

crystalline substance at Olson’s feet. The leather bag with extra baggies and the

digital scale was between the passenger and driver’s seats. A rational jury could

find Cain was in constructive possession of the methamphetamine recovered in

and around the front seats of the van.

      The State asserts the jury could find Cain was in possession of all the

contraband in the van, arguing:

      Here, Cain had sent messages only four days earlier, claiming that
      he received a “zip” and referring to the fact that he “just got some
      shit” to solve his money problems. Then, only four days later, Cain
      was found in the presence of multiple “zips” of methamphetamine,
      after he was the primary participant in efforts to dispose of syringes,
      something that resembled money, and other items as his companion
      led police on a high-speed chase.
              ....
              . . . And even [Detective Kemmer’s explanation of his
      impressions of the text messages] omits mention of Cain’s
      participation in concealing evidence, and his refusal to cooperate
                                        14

      with the police. Jurors could reasonably infer that Cain acted that
      way because he had skin in the game: it was his methamphetamine
      too.

      While we agree the evidence allows an inference that Cain was aware of

and had the ability to control the drugs in the immediate vicinity of the passenger

seat, his control of the drugs in the back of the van based on mere proximity is

conjecture. This is not a case where the vehicle belonged to the driver. See State

v. McMullen, No. 18-2249, 2019 WL 6907458, at *5 (Iowa Ct. App. Dec 18, 2019)

(“Here, the factors supporting that McMullen possessed the contraband are as

follows. The car belonged to McMullen. All of the contraband, and particularly the

backpack, was within McMullen’s reach. McMullen claimed he did not know the

contraband was in the vehicle . . . . Yet a reasonable person would have observed

the open, exposed cup in the console containing marijuana.”). Nothing in the

record indicates Cain was ever in the back area of the van or had any knowledge

of the drugs in the back of the van. See In re W.E., No. 18-1717, 2019 WL
3714827, at *2 (Iowa Ct. App. Aug. 7, 2019) (“But there is no evidence the

handguns were among W.E.’s personal effects. Nor did she own the vehicle. And

while one of the handguns was found in plain view on the backseat floorboard, the

record does not show where the guns were in relation W.E.—as opposed to the

other three people in the backseat.”). When the van was stopped, Cain emerged

from the front seat as ordered to by the responding officers. Olson alone moved

to the back of the van where the larger baggies of methamphetamine were found.

The State offered no evidence that Cain had knowledge of or control over the

baggies of methamphetamine found in the back of the van. Proximity is not

sufficient to show control and dominion. Cashen, 666 N.W.2d at 572. We can
                                         15

only speculate whether Cain was able to “maintain control over the drugs or have

the right to control the drugs” that were in the back of the van. See Kern, 831
N.W.2d at 161 (“In the absence of actual possession, constructive possession

requires the person to maintain control over the drugs or have the right to control

the drugs.”).

       We affirm the conviction for possession of a controlled substance with intent

to distribute.

       C. Firearm enhancement. Cain also now contends his arguments as to

possession should be applied to the firearm enhancement. However, that issue

was not raised below. See Meier v. Senecaut, 641 N.W.2d 532, 537 (Iowa 2002)

(“It is a fundamental doctrine of appellate review that issues must ordinarily be both

raised and decided by the district court before we will decide them on appeal.”).

Nonetheless, there is scant evidence Cain had any type of possession of the

firearm. Because we are remanding for resentencing, the district court must

address the propriety of the firearm enhancement.

       D. Failure to possess a drug tax stamp. In order to prove a drug stamp tax

violation, the State was required to prove Cain knowingly possessed seven grams

or more of methamphetamine. As we have concluded above, there is sufficient

evidence Cain constructively possessed methamphetamine in the front of the

van—but the methamphetamine in the front of the van had a net weight of less
                                          16

than seven grams.10      Consequently, we reverse the conviction for failure to

possess a drug stamp tax.

IV. Evidentiary Rulings.

       Cain first asserts the court abused its discretion in ruling in limine that Cain

was not allowed to impeach Detective Kemmer’s testimony that Cain’s texts

messages implicitly suggested Cain was involved drug trafficking by showing

Detective Kemmer first recommended only charging Cain with possession of a

controlled substance. However, we agree with the State that this claim of error

was not preserved. When the trial court ruled on the motion in limine, it noted,

“obviously an issue like this is very contextual as far as the argument is concerned,”

making it “very difficult for the Court to make a ruling that’s general in scope” before

the witness testifies. The court stated: “[I]t would probably be appropriate to make

a record if necessary and have an offer of proof if necessary on that questioning

line if you so desire at the appropriate time.” The defense made no further record

or offer of proof.

       In any event, defense counsel did ask Detective Kemmer:

              Q. Okay. Thank you. Now at the time we took your deposition
       on the 22 of February, I asked you as you were there testifying under
       oath if you had any evidence of a conspiracy to deliver narcotics
       between Mr. Cain and Mr. Olson. Do you remember what your
       answer was?
              MR. GROVE: Objection. Your Honor, may we approach?
              THE COURT: You may.
              (Bench discussion was held off the record.)
              THE COURT: There is an objection that is pending on the
       question that was posed. The objection is overruled. You may
       answer the question.

10The zipper bag at the driver’s feet contained 5.92 grams of methamphetamine.
The zipper bag beneath the passenger seat contained .29 grams. And the
methamphetamine collected from the passenger seat had .26 grams.
                                          17

              THE WITNESS: I believe I said, no.

       Cain next argues the court abused its discretion in admitting Cain’s text

messages into evidence. The trial court found these messages were admissible

on the issue of intent and did not violate the prohibition against evidence of prior

bad acts. We do not disagree the text messages had some probative value with

regard to an intent. But the district court’s ruling on the post-trial motion indicates

the text messages presented a danger of unfair prejudice.

       In ruling on the motion for new trial, the court noted, “Officers also located

messages on the defendant’s phone relating to trafficking narcotics, specifically

methamphetamine, which were dated a few days prior to the pursuit.” (Emphasis

added.)    We must observe the messages did not relate “specifically [to]

methamphetamine”; rather, the texts to “J-Quick” read, “I got some shit” and “Get

a hold of me I got another zip.” Detective Kemmer testified that “zip” “is a common

reference as a measurement of weight for an ounce of a substance,” which might

include methamphetamine but “more typically marijuana cases use the term zip.”

He also testified “shit” is a common street name for methamphetamine. Whether

the relevance of the text messages was substantially outweighed the danger of

unfair prejudice is a close question. But we cannot say that the district court

abused its discretion in allowing their admission.

       Because we reverse the convictions for conspiracy and failure to affix a drug

tax stamp, we vacate the sentences imposed and remand for resentencing.

       CONVICTIONS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART,

SENTENCES VACATED, AND REMANDED FOR RESENTENCING.