Court Opinion

ID: 3022164
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:26:27.509024+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:53:25.498964
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                            FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                   _____________

                                  No. 98-3271WM
                                  _____________

United States of America,                *
                                         *
                    Appellee,            * Appeal from the United States
                                         * District Court for the Western
      v.                                 * District of Missouri.
                                         *
Nathaniel M. Graham,                     *      [UNPUBLISHED]
                                         *
                    Appellant.           *
                                   _____________

                            Submitted: February 9, 1999
                                Filed: February 18, 1999
                                 _____________

Before FAGG and HANSEN, Circuit Judges, and ROSENBAUM,* District Judge.
                           _____________

PER CURIAM.

      After intercepting a package of cocaine, the police conducted a controlled
delivery in Kansas City, Missouri. When an undercover officer attempted to deliver
the package, Nathaniel M. Graham’s minor child answered the door. Graham, who
was seated directly across the street from the address listed on the package, instructed
the undercover officer to leave the package with Graham’s minor child and an adult
would sign for it later. Following the delivery, the police executed an anticipatory
search warrant and seized the cocaine from Graham as he tried to flee. The district

      *
       The Honorable James M. Rosenbaum, United States District Judge for the
District of Minnesota, sitting by designation.
court denied Graham’s pretrial motions, and a jury convicted Graham of attempting
to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute. Graham appeals, and we affirm.

       Initially, Graham contends the district court erroneously denied his motions to
quash the search warrant and suppress the cocaine and telephone bill seized during
the search. We disagree. The affidavit supporting the search warrant stated the
package contained cocaine and the police would not execute the warrant until after
delivery. Additionally, the search warrant stated the police could seize any evidence
showing occupancy and control of the residence, such as a utility bill. Under these
circumstances, the affidavit established probable cause to search for the cocaine, the
police reasonably relied on the warrant to seize Graham’s telephone bill, and the
district court correctly denied Graham’s motions. See United States v. Bieri, 21 F.3d
811, 815 (8th Cir. 1994); United States v. Tagbering, 985 F.2d 946, 949-50, 950-51
(8th Cir. 1993).

       We also reject Graham’s other contentions. Graham argues the district court
wrongly denied his motion to suppress his post arrest statements because the
controlled delivery amounted to police deception and tainted the statements.
Contrary to Graham’s argument, the record shows the police did not resort to coercive
conduct or trickery. The police advised Graham of his Miranda rights three times,
and shortly after Graham waived his rights, he offered voluntary statements. Next,
Graham claims the district court improperly admitted evidence of his earlier drug
activity. The district court denied Graham’s pretrial motion in limine to exclude this
evidence, and his tactical decisions to forego an objection when the Government
offered the evidence at trial, to testify about his drug activity, and to challenge the
credibility of the Government’s witness on cross-examination, precludes review on
appeal. See United States v. Brown, 956 F.2d 782, 787 (8th Cir. 1992). Graham also
contends the police officer’s delivery of the package to Graham’s minor child was
outrageous conduct. Having examined the record, we conclude Graham failed to
show the officer’s conduct was fundamentally unfair. See United States v. Gleason,

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980 F.2d 1183, 1186-87 (8th Cir. 1992). Graham was seated directly across the street
from the house during the delivery, Graham directed the officer to leave the package
with the child, and the officer merely followed Graham’s instructions.

       Finally, although we generally do not consider arguments raised in pro se briefs
by a party represented by counsel, see United States v. Blum, 65 F.3d 1436, 1443 n.2
(8th Cir. 1995), we have considered Graham’s pro se arguments and conclude they
are either raised for the first time on appeal, without legal merit, or both.

      We affirm Graham’s conviction.

      A true copy.

             Attest:

                     CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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