Court Opinion

ID: 9465837
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 00:57:08.551879+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:39:23.501379
License: Public Domain

McMILLIAN, Circuit Judge,
concurring.
Because I agree that the evidence as to Counts I through VI was sufficient, I concur in the result. I am, however, neither convinced nor persuaded by either United States v. Thoresen, 428 F.2d 654 (9th Cir. 1970) or United States v. Craven, 478 F.2d 1329 (6th Cir. 1973) as to the legality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(h)(1) and § 924(a).
Likewise, I have some serious reservations as to the effectiveness of an explanatory, limiting instruction in a close case to remove the inherent prejudice injected once the jury has been informed of a defendant’s prior indictment.
APPENDIX
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF MISSOURI
United States of America vs. 1728 Seiferts Drive, Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
AFFIDAVIT FOR SEARCH WARRANT
BEFORE John L. Oliver, Jr., H & H Office Bldg., Cape Girardeau, Missouri
The undersigned being duly sworn deposes and says:
That he (has reason to believe) 1 that (on the premises) located at 1728 Seiferts Drive, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and described as a single story white concrete block dwelling with out buildings and appurtenances located approximately 200 feet southeast of the intersection of Seiferts Drive and Perkins Drive and reflecting the numbers 1728 on the front of the house, and further described as having the main entrance located on the southeast side of the house.
in the Eastern Judicial District of Missouri there is now being concealed certain property, namely stolen firearms and firearms and parts to manufacture firearms which are described in Chapter 53, Title 26, U.S.C., and which are not registered with the Secretary of the Treasury as required by law and which are in violation of 18 U.S.C., Section 922(a)(1) and 26 U.S.C., Sections 5861(a) and (f).
And that the facts tending to establish the foregoing grounds for issuance of a Search Warrant are as follows:
On or about May 30, 1978, and May 31, 1978, between 10:30 p. m., and 5:45 a. m., a burglary occurred at the 303 Package and Sporting Goods Store, 303 S. Main Street, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, a Federally licensed firearms dealer. During the burglary thirty-five handguns (revolvers and pistols) were stolen.
On June 22, 1978, after Clifford Worley told Douglas A. Gilmore, a Special Deputy Sheriff, Butler County Sheriff’s Department, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, that he knew an *841individual that had a “machinegun” for sale, Gilmore drove Worley, who ostensibly does not own a vehicle to the intersection of 14th Street and Seiferts Drive, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Later this same date, Worley telephoned Gilmore and advised him that he had the firearm. Shortly thereafter, Gilmore picked up Worley at an apartment complex on Bartlet Street, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Worley had in his possession a fully automatic “machinegun” further described as a National Ordinance Inc., .30 caliber carbine with attached M-2 conversion kit. At approximately 6:30 p. m., this same date, Gilmore drove Worley to a parking lot located next to Coleman’s Barbecue Restaurant on Highway #67 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. At this location Gilmore introduced Worley to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearm’s Special Agent Victor J. Herbert, Jr., who was working in an undercover capacity. Subsequently, Special Agent Herbert purchased the above described firearm from Worley for $350.00. During Special Agent Herbert’s conversation with Worley, Worley stated that there was another person involved with him in the sell; consequently, he could not reduce the selling price of the firearm.
On June 29, 1978, at approximately 7:15 p. m., Gilmore and Special Agent Herbert drove Worley to 1728 Seiferts Drive in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, after they told him that Special Agent Herbert wanted to purchase several handguns. After Worley got out of the vehicle he was observed walking toward the southeast corner of the residence. At the same time Special Agent Herbert observed a green Plymouth Baracuda parked next to the residence at 1728 Seiferts Drive. When Worley was with Gilmore and Special Agent Herbert he did not have any visible firearms or packages in his possession. As instructed by Worley, Special Agent Herbert and Gilmore then drove to Bacon Memorial Park in Poplar Bluff to wait for Worley. At approximately 7:20 p. m., Special Agent Tommy F. Noel observed Worley, who was wearing a pink T-shirt, and another unknown white male get into the green Plymouth Baracuda, parked in the driveway of the 1728 Seiferts Drive address. Immediately thereafter, Special Agents Roger L. Moen and Noel observed the Plymouth Baracuda which was bearing Missouri license Y6L — 022, travel from the residence to the entrance of Bacon Memorial Park, where at approximately 7:25 p. m., Worley got out of the vehicle and walked into the park carrying a blue package. Worley then walked to the vehicle occupied by Gilmore and Special Agent Herbert, which was parked in Bacon Memorial Park. Shortly after Worley got into the vehicle he showed Gilmore and Special Agent Herbert two handguns which were wrapped in blue denim cloth and a third handgun which he had concealed under his shirt. After some discussion Special Agent Herbert purchased the three handguns from Worley for $275.00. During their discussion Worley told Special Agent Herbert that the three handguns were “very hot.” Worley also told Special Agent Herbert that the man that dropped him at the entrance to the park was “his main man,” that he was the individual that supplied the “machinegun” that he (Herbert) had previously purchased, that he is the individual that orders parts to make the “machineguns,” and that he is probably the “biggest gun dealer” in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
On this same date, Special Agent Moen determined that the three firearms purchased from Worley were part of thirty-five handguns reported stolen from the 303 Package and Sporting Goods Store in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on May 30 or 31, 1978.
On July 13, 1978, at approximately 4:45 p. m., after contacting Worley again and requesting to purchase another “machinegun,” Special Agent Herbert picked Worley up at his residence, 1923 Bradley Street, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and drove him directly to 1728 Seiferts Drive. When Worley got out of the vehicle Special Agent Herbert then observed him walk to the entrance of the residence which is located on the southeast side of the house and knock. At the same time Special Agent Herbert again observed the previously described Plymouth Baracuda parked in the residence driveway. When Special Agent Herbert drove Worley to this residence, Worley did not have any visible firearms in his possession. At approximately 5:30 p. m., Worley and another white male, believed to be James Lee Taylor, were observed driving the previously identified green Plymouth Baracuda from the residence on Seiferts Drive to the intersection of 14th Street and Highland Road, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. At this location Worley was observed getting out of the vehicle carrying an unknown object wrapped in a brown *842paper sack and walking a short distance to Bacon Memorial Park where he joined Special Agent Herbert. When Worley joined Special Agent Herbert he had in his possession a fully automatic “machinegun” further described as an Inland .30 caliber carbine with attached M-2 conversion kit. Special Agent Herbert subsequently purchased this firearm for $350.00. When Special Agent Herbert purchased the firearm he observed that the serial number had been filed off and he questioned Worley about this. Worley stated that he and his friend had removed the serial number. Immediately after Worley got out of the green Plymouth Baracuda, Taylor was observed driving this vehicle back to the previously identified Seiferts Drive address.
Subsequently to their purchase, the two machineguns were testfired and they were found to operate and function as fully automatic firearms.
On July 13, 1978, during Special Agent Herbert’s discussion with Worley, Worley offered to sell to Special Agent Herbert additional firearms the following week if Special Agent Herbert would contact him. On July 18, 1978, at approximately 2:20 p. m., Special Agent Herbert telephoned Worley’s residence and was informed by an unknown female who answered the telephone that Worley had departed for Montana this date to seek employment.
On July 19, 1978, Special Agent Moen caused the files of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Midwest Region, Firearms Licensing Section, to be reviewed for any record of a license to deal in firearms being issued to Clifford Worley, 1923 Bradley Street, Poplar Bluff, Missouri, James Lee Taylor, or 1728 Seiferts Drive, Poplar Bluff, Missouri. This review failed to disclose any license being issued to the above identified individuals or addresses.
(s) Jimmy D. Bowen_,

Signature of Affiant.

(s) Special Agent. ATF_,

Official agent, if any.

Sworn to before me, and subscribed in my presence, July 19, 1978..
(s) John L. Oliver_,

United States Magistrate.