Court Opinion

ID: 9370632
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-02-14 14:11:39.463924+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:16:22.767926
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA

              Present: Judges Athey, Chaney and Lorish
UNPUBLISHED

              Argued at Richmond, Virginia

              HASSAN S. WILLIAMS, S/K/A
               HASAAN S. WILLIAMS
                                                                            MEMORANDUM OPINION* BY
              v.     Record No. 0138-22-2                                  JUDGE CLIFFORD L. ATHEY, JR.
                                                                               FEBRUARY 14, 2023
              COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

                                FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
                                             T.J. Hauler, Judge Designate

                               Stephen A. Mutnick (Winslow, McCurry & MacCormac, PLLC, on
                               brief), for appellant.

                               Victoria Johnson, Assistant Attorney General (Jason S. Miyares,
                               Attorney General, on brief), for appellee.

                     Following a bench trial, the Circuit Court of Chesterfield County (“trial court”) convicted

              Hassan S. Williams (“Williams”) of possession of a firearm by a non-violent felon within ten years

              of his conviction, in violation of Code § 18.2-308.2(A), and sentenced him to five years of

              incarceration with three years suspended. On appeal, Williams contends that the police illegally

              searched his home and seized evidence based on a stale search warrant that lacked probable cause.

              Williams also contends this search warrant cannot be saved through the good faith exception to the

              warrant requirement. Finally, Williams argues that the Commonwealth failed to prove that he

              constructively possessed a firearm. Finding no error, we affirm the trial court’s decision.

                     *
                         Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
                                          I. BACKGROUND

       In November 2019, Hanover County Sheriff’s Investigator Christopher Clark (“Investigator

Clark”) received a tip from a “reliable” confidential informant that Williams and his associate,

Christopher Harris (“Harris”), had been distributing heroin in the City of Richmond. The informant

reported that he had observed Williams and Harris “resupplying heroin from a known kilogram

level dealer,” and indicated that another man, Aubrey Eugene Green (“Green”), had allowed

Williams and Harris to package and sell heroin at his Richmond residence in exchange for receiving

some of the narcotics. Also, according to the informant, Williams and Harris typically sold good

quality heroin at “$120/gram, $840/¼ ounce, and $1500/ ½ ounce.” Based upon the information

provided by the informant, Investigator Clark, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration

(“DEA”), and local law enforcement agencies, (collectively “law enforcement”) began conducting

“electronic and physical” surveillance of Williams and Harris as part of a ten-month investigation

into the alleged drug distribution network. Police also confirmed that Harris was dealing drugs

containing heroin and fentanyl after conducting two “controlled buys” from him.

       In February 2020, the Richmond Police were called to investigate a suspicious death at

Green’s residence after he reported finding a deceased person in a bedroom of his home. The

informant subsequently confirmed that the deceased person found in a bedroom in Green’s home

was both a frequent heroin user and had previously acquired narcotics from Williams, Harris, and

Green. In March 2020, Williams was arrested in Richmond on unrelated felony eluding and drug

possession charges prompting Investigator Clark to begin surveillance of Williams. He later

observed Williams living in a two-story townhouse in Chesterfield County.

        By April 2020, Investigator Clark had seen Harris frequently coming and going from

Williams’ townhouse in Chesterfield County. During one stakeout, both Williams and Harris exited

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the townhouse and went to an adjacent barbershop and convenience store, where they were

observed conducting two “hand to hand drug transaction[s].”

       Based on Harris’ “earlier controlled buys and continued narcotics activity,” Investigator

Clark also began monitoring Harris’ phone calls, phone records, and movements. By August 2020,

Harris was engaged in a “clear pattern” of travel from his residence to Green’s Richmond residence,

Williams’ townhouse in Chesterfield, and the previously identified convenience store near

Williams’ townhouse.

       Hence, on August 31, 2020, Investigator Clark applied for a warrant to search Williams’

townhouse. In the sworn affidavit in support of the search warrant, Investigator Clark described the

“thing[s] to be searched for” as follows:

               Narcotics, Packaging materials[,] shipping materials, narcotics
               paraphernalia, records, receipts, notes, US Currency and ledgers.
               Electronic devices, such as computers, cell phones and tablets. Any
               digital storage devices such as SD cards, micro SD cards, hard
               drives, thumb drives and anything used to store digital media and the
               contents therein, containing the information generated by the
               aforementioned electronic equipment. Photographs and video,
               address or telephone books, indicia of occupancy, residency, rental,
               and for ownership of the premises to be searched, including, but not
               limited to, utility and telephone bills, canceled envelopes, rental,
               purchase, or lease agreements, registration and keys.

       In the section of the affidavit labeled “material facts constituting probable cause that the

search should be made,” Investigator Clark wrote that: (1) since January 2010, the Hanover County

Sheriff’s Office had employed him as a “sworn law enforcement officer”; (2) since 2019, he had

served as a “task for[ce] officer” with the DEA and had been “personally involved with over 500

drug investigations, to include users and distributors”; (3) based on this “training and experience,”

“[i]t is common for narcotics users and distributors to hide narcotics, contraband, and records of

drug transactions in secure locations within their residences”; and (4) it is “common” for such

persons to “conceal” drug paraphernalia, “handwritten notes” containing contact information for

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“drug distributors or clients,” and “electronic storage devices” containing similar information and

“records of conversations.”

       Finally, Investigator Clark concluded that “based on all the aforementioned information [in

the affidavit] and the continuing criminal enterprise with a highly lethal and dangerous narcotic such

as heroin and [f]entanyl,” there existed probable cause that “the above-described evidence will be

located” at Williams’ townhouse in Chesterfield County. Based on the affidavit in support of the

search warrant, the magistrate concluded that there was “probable cause” to believe that the above

“property” “constituted evidence of” narcotics distribution and that “the search should be made.”

Therefore, on August 31, 2020, the magistrate issued a warrant to search Williams’ townhouse in

Chesterfield County.

       On September 3, 2020, law enforcement executed the warrant to search Williams’

townhouse. They detained Williams and his ex-girlfriend, Sierra, while the search was being

performed. On the second floor of the townhouse, law enforcement identified a “drop down,

folding” ladder extending from an open “trap door” to the attic. When DEA Agent Shawn

Montgomery (“Agent Montgomery”) ascended the ladder into the attic, he immediately identified a

loaded Century Arms 7.62 caliber rifle lying in plain view on the floor. At trial, Agent Montgomery

testified that “you couldn’t miss” the rifle because the attic’s “insulation was pushed back” from

where the gun lay beside the ladder.

       After descending back down the ladder from the attic to the second floor, Agent

Montgomery searched two bedrooms, the first bedroom belonging to Williams’ daughter which

contained only “toys” and a “small television.” Agent Montgomery later testified that he did not

“see any items of adult clothing, adult shoes, [or] anything belonging to an adult that was plainly

obvious” inside the child’s bedroom.

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         He then searched the master bedroom which contained a bed, nightstand, and a dresser

where he found a collection of neatly arranged men’s shoes beside the bed as well as male clothing

throughout the bedroom. In the area between the bed and nightstand, Agent Montgomery observed

in plain view a high-capacity “drum magazine” and “brace” for a “firearm device.” When he

retrieved the brace, Agent Montgomery discovered that it was attached to a “Glock 27, .40 caliber”

handgun. He next searched the nightstand which contained a Ziploc bag with multiple envelopes

inside bearing Williams’ name. He then searched the dresser, and one of the drawers contained a

bag that held $21,798 in currency which had been divided into $1,000 bundles and secured with

rubber bands. Agent Montgomery also found another drum magazine and a “large and empty

firearm” in the same drawer. Another dresser drawer contained male and female clothing,

children’s photographs, documentation, a box of .40 caliber ammunition, and a check for $720

listing Williams as payee. When questioned, Williams told police that the cash and men’s clothing

in the master bedroom belonged to him, however, he maintained that he had been sleeping in his

daughter’s bedroom because he was “homeless” and had obtained the cash through legitimate

means.

         Pretrial, Williams moved to suppress the Commonwealth’s evidence obtained during the

search of his residence based on a lack of probable cause. Following a hearing on the suppression

motion, the trial court denied the motion concluding that “the totality of the circumstances”

demonstrated that “there was probable cause . . . to believe that there was contraband” at Williams’

residence. At the conclusion of the Commonwealth’s case in chief, Williams moved to strike the

evidence. The trial court denied the motion.1 Williams subsequently renewed his motion to strike

at the conclusion of all the evidence, which the trial court also denied. Williams appealed.

         1
         At trial, the Commonwealth introduced a certified copy of a final order of May 19,
2017, from the Circuit Court of Chesterfield County convicting Williams of felony eluding and
possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance.
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                                            II. ANALYSIS

                                       A. Standard of Review

       “An appellant’s claim that evidence was seized in violation of the Fourth Amendment

presents a mixed question of law and fact on appeal.” Taylor v. Commonwealth, 66 Va. App. 619,

631 (2016). We review “de novo the overarching question of whether a search or seizure violated

the Fourth Amendment.” Moreno v. Commonwealth, 73 Va. App. 267, 274 (2021). “When

reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, ‘[t]he judgment of the trial court is presumed correct

and will not be disturbed unless it is plainly wrong or without evidence to support it.’”

McGowan v. Commonwealth, 72 Va. App. 513, 521 (2020) (alteration in original) (quoting Smith

v. Commonwealth, 296 Va. 450, 460 (2018)).

    B. The trial court correctly concluded that the good faith exception applied to the warrant.2

       Williams argues that the trial court erroneously denied his suppression motion because the

search warrant was defective and the Leon3 good faith exception cannot “save” the warrant.

Williams further contends the Leon good faith exception does not apply to this affidavit because it

contained “bare bones” factual allegations and conclusions. We disagree.

       “In Leon, the United States Supreme Court held that ‘suppression of evidence obtained

pursuant to a warrant should be ordered only on a case-by-case basis and only in those unusual

cases in which exclusion will further the purposes of the exclusionary rule.’” Polston v.

Commonwealth, 255 Va. 500, 503 (1998) (quoting United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 918

       2
         We decline to address whether the magistrate had a substantial basis to conclude that
probable cause supported the warrant or whether the probable cause had expired when police
executed the warrant. “The doctrine of judicial restraint dictates that we decide cases ‘on the
best and narrowest grounds available.’” Commonwealth v. White, 293 Va. 411, 419 (2017)
(quoting Commonwealth v. Swann, 290 Va. 194, 196 (2015)). Here, our conclusion that the
good faith exception applied to the warrant constitutes the best and narrowest grounds on this
issue.
       3
           United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897 (1984).
                                                -6-
(1984)). “In the ordinary case, an officer cannot be expected to question the magistrate’s

probable-cause determination or his judgment that the form of the warrant is technically sufficient.”

Lane v. Commonwealth, 51 Va. App. 565, 572 (2008) (quoting Leon, 468 U.S. at 921). “Under the

good faith exception, ‘[w]here a police officer has an objectively reasonable belief that the issuing

magistrate had probable cause to issue the search warrant, the officer may rely upon the magistrate’s

probable cause determination and the evidence will not be excluded.’” Id. (quoting Colaw v.

Commonwealth, 32 Va. App. 806, 810 (2000)). Nevertheless, the United States Supreme Court has

recognized “four circumstances” in which the good faith exception is inapplicable:

                (1) [W]hen the [magistrate] “was misled by information in an
                affidavit that the affiant knew was false or would have known was
                false except for his reckless disregard of the truth”; (2) when “the
                issuing magistrate wholly abandoned his judicial role . . .”; (3) when
                “an affidavit [is] so lacking in indicia of probable cause as to render
                official belief in its existence entirely unreasonable”; or (4) when “a
                warrant [is] so facially deficient . . . that the executing officers cannot
                reasonably presume it to be valid.”

Midkiff v. Commonwealth, 54 Va. App. 323, 330 (2009) (quoting Ward v. Commonwealth, 273 Va.

211, 222-23 (2007), aff’d, 280 Va. 216 (2010).

        This Court has held that “as long as there is some indicia of probable cause in the underlying

affidavit, we will apply the good faith exception [provided that] a reasonable police officer, after

assessing the facts set forth in the affidavit, could have believed the warrant was valid.” Sowers v.

Commonwealth, 49 Va. App. 588, 603-04 (2007) (quoting Anzualda v. Commonwealth, 44

Va. App. 764, 781 (2005) (en banc)). Moreover, “[f]or the good faith rule to apply, the affidavit

must provide some nexus between the evidence sought and the place to be searched.” Id. at 604

(emphasis added).

        The affidavit contained detailed factual allegations that provided at least “some indicia” of

probable cause to believe Williams’ townhouse would contain evidence of drug dealing when police

executed the search warrant. Id. at 603-04 (quoting Anzualda, 44 Va. App. at 781). “A magistrate
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is entitled to draw reasonable inferences about where incriminating evidence is likely to be found,

based on the nature of the evidence and the type of offense.” Gwinn v. Commonwealth, 16

Va. App. 972, 976 (1993). “In the case of drug dealers, evidence of ongoing criminal activity is

likely to be found where the dealer resides.” Id. According to Investigator Clark’s affidavit, in

November 2019, a reliable confidential informant told police that Williams and Harris were

distributing heroin. The informant provided specific details of Williams’ and Harris’ drug operation

including information concerning their supplier, the prices and quality of the heroin they sold, and

that Green’s house in Richmond was where they packaged and sold drugs. That same month, police

also confirmed that Harris was dealing drugs containing heroin and fentanyl after conducting two

“controlled buys” from Harris. In February 2020, police also discovered one of Williams’ known

customers deceased inside the house where Williams and Harris packaged and sold heroin. In

March 2020, police arrested Williams for possession of a controlled substance, and the next month,

police witnessed Williams conduct two “hand to hand” drug transactions at a convenience store

immediately after meeting Harris inside Williams’ townhouse.

       In mid-August, police saw Williams leave his townhouse to meet Harris and several

vehicles gathered outside Green’s residence in a manner “indicative of narcotics distribution.”

Finally, during the ten-month period Williams was under surveillance, police confirmed that

Williams lived at the Chesterfield townhouse and Harris exhibited a “clear pattern” of traveling to

that residence, Green’s home, and the convenience store where Williams had previously sold drugs.

Those facts “were not so vague as to be conclusory or meaningless.” Anzualda, 44 Va. App. at 786

(quoting United States v. Carpenter, 360 F.3d 591 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 543 U.S. 851 (2004)).

Rather, collectively, they support the rational inference that there was—if not “a fair probability”—

at least some likelihood that Williams’ townhouse would contain evidence of his ongoing illicit drug

distribution when police executed the search warrant. Cf. Gwinn, 16 Va. App. at 975-76 (holding

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that the magistrate could infer from defendant’s repeated drug transactions that evidence of

drug-dealing was in his home); see also Sowers, 49 Va. App. at 604 (holding that the good faith

exception applied because affidavit contained at least some indicia of criminal activity satisfying

probable cause and nexus requirements); Anzualda, 44 Va. App. at 787-88 (same). Accordingly, we

hold that the trial court correctly concluded that the good faith exception applied.

    C. Rule 5A:18 bars consideration of Williams’ argument that the magistrate who issued the
       warrant was neutral and detached.

        Williams argues that “no evidence presented at the suppression hearing” proved that the

magistrate “performed his ‘neutral and detached’ function.” However, we do not address

Williams’ argument that the magistrate abandoned his neutral role.

        Rule 5A:18 provides that “[n]o ruling of the trial court . . . will be considered as a basis

for reversal unless an objection was stated with reasonable certainty at the time of the ruling,

except for good cause shown or to enable this Court to attain the ends of justice.” At trial,

Williams argued that the good faith exception did not apply solely because the warrant failed to

meet the probable cause and nexus requirements. Accordingly, we decline to address Williams’

separate argument that the magistrate abandoned his judicial role, which Williams raises for the

first time on appeal. Williams does not invoke the exceptions to 5A:18, and this Court will not

do so sua sponte. Edwards v. Commonwealth, 41 Va. App. 752, 761 (2003) (en banc).

                  D. The evidence was sufficient to support Williams’ conviction.

        Williams argues that the evidence at trial failed to prove he constructively possessed any of

the firearms discovered in his home. We disagree.

        “A conviction for the unlawful possession of a firearm can be supported exclusively by

evidence of constructive possession,” whether sole or joint. Smallwood v. Commonwealth, 278

Va. 625, 630 (2009) (quoting Bolden v. Commonwealth, 275 Va. 144, 148 (2008)). Constructive

possession may be established by “evidence of acts, statements, or conduct by the defendant or
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other facts and circumstances proving that the defendant was aware of the presence and character

of the firearm and that the firearm was subject to his dominion and control.” Id. Although

“ownership or occupancy alone is insufficient to prove knowing possession of [contraband]

located on the premises or in a vehicle,” other circumstantial evidence coupled with ownership

or occupancy often establishes the constructive possession of such contraband. Burchette v.

Commonwealth, 15 Va. App. 432, 435 (1992).

       Here, the totality of the circumstances demonstrate that Williams constructively possessed

the “Glock 27, .40 caliber” pistol in the master bedroom. First, Williams was present and living at

the townhouse when police executed the search warrant. Second, police found the pistol among

Williams’ personal property. Williams’ shoes were beside the bed where police found the gun; and

the nearby nightstand contained Williams’ cash and a Ziploc bag with envelopes bearing his name.

The bedroom dresser also contained a check listing Williams as payee, and a box of .40 caliber

ammunition matching the caliber of the Glock pistol. Williams told police that he had been sleeping

in his daughter’s bedroom because he was “homeless,” despite claiming ownership of substantial

quantities of cash discovered in the master bedroom with his clothing and other personal property.

Williams also maintained that he had acquired the cash through legitimate means, although he was

suspected of distributing narcotics. Given such contradictions, the trial court rationally discarded

Williams’ explanations as “mere fabrications to conceal his guilt.” Rollston v. Commonwealth, 11

Va. App. 535, 547 (1991).

       In sum, the foregoing evidence established that Williams constructively possessed the Glock

pistol in the master bedroom. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court’s rulings denying Williams’

motions to strike were not plainly wrong or without evidentiary support.4

       4
         We need not consider whether the evidence was sufficient to prove Williams
constructively possessed the other firearms because possession of the Glock pistol is enough to
support his conviction.
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                                 III. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                                   Affirmed.

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