Court Opinion

ID: 1042903
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-10-02 16:47:55.343123+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:50:51.462306
License: Public Domain

Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 550

                   ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
                                        DIVISION II
                                        No. CR-13-97

TREVAILS DOTSON                                   Opinion Delivered   October 2, 2013

                                 APPELLANT        APPEAL FROM THE HOWARD
                                                  COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
V.                                                [NO. CR-12-47-1]

                                                  HONORABLE TOM COOPER,
STATE OF ARKANSAS                                 JUDGE

                                   APPELLEE       AFFIRMED

                             PHILLIP T. WHITEAKER, Judge

       A jury found appellant Trevails Dotson guilty of third-degree domestic battering,

possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with purpose to deliver, and simultaneous

possession of drugs and a firearm. He appeals his convictions for possession of a controlled

substance with purpose to deliver and simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm,1

challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support those convictions. We affirm.

       On April 11, 2012, Dotson’s then-wife, Nikki Sisson, filed a domestic abuse report

against him. She also advised the officers that Dotson kept marijuana and a gun in their

bedroom closet. Officers went to the marital home, where Dotson was arrested and

removed for domestic battery. After Dotson’s removal, officers searched the home with

Sisson’s consent. Sisson led the officers to a small closet in the bedroom and showed them

       1
           He has not appealed the conviction of third-degree domestic battery.
                                  Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 550

a lockbox in the bottom left corner of the closet. She provided the officers with a key to the

lockbox. Inside of the lockbox, they found a plastic bag containing over four ounces of

marijuana. A gun was located on the top shelf of the closet within close proximity to the

lockbox. A digital scale was located on a dresser in the bedroom approximately six feet from

where the marijuana was found. The officers did not find any individual plastic bags, large

sums of cash, or records of drug transactions; nor did they find any drug residue on the scales.

Sisson claimed that the marijuana and gun belonged to Dotson and that he was selling drugs.

She further stated that the key to the lockbox was on their joint key ring.

       After his arrest, Dotson gave a statement to the police. In his statement, Dotson stated

in part:

       . . . I was told by the officer that they had found a brick of Marijuanna [sic] in my lock
       box at my house. I saw the officer was also holding my gun that has been in my family
       for all my life. The officer was clearing the gun. My gun was a 40 caliber pistol and
       I had the gun for about 3 months. The gun had always been in my family and I
       recently got it from my mom because someone had tried to break into my house. I
       had the gun for a protection purpose. As far as the Marijuana, I smoke it by myself
       and I use it for medical reasons only. I don’t sell Marijuana and strictly use it for
       personal use only. I bought the Marijuana about two days ago for $80. I didn’t know
       how much it weighted [sic], but I thought it was a good deal, so I bought it. I knew
       my marijuana was in my lock box, but I thought my gun was in my car.

(Emphasis added.)

       At trial, Dotson denied buying the marijuana as indicated in his statement and claimed

that the marijuana was purchased by and belonged to Sisson. He further denied that he had

the key to the lockbox where the marijuana was found. He stated that his mother had given

him the gun to pawn for money to pay bills, but that he thought that it was in the car Sisson

was driving and not in the closet where it was ultimately located. He further denied any

                                               2
                                    Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 550

knowledge of the scale that was found in the bedroom or that he was selling marijuana. He

admitted signing the statement above, but stated that he never told the officer it was his

marijuana and that he told the officer the gun belonged to his mother and should be released

to her.

          Dotson argues that there was insufficient evidence submitted to find that he actually

or constructively possessed either the marijuana or the firearm. He further argues that there

was insufficient evidence presented to show that he either had the means to weigh or

separate the marijuana or that he had the firearm in his immediate possession or control.

Finally, he argues that there was insufficient evidence that he possessed the drugs and the

firearm simultaneously or that there was a nexus between the firearm and the drugs.

          In reviewing a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we determine whether

the verdict is supported by substantial evidence, direct or circumstantial. McKenzie v. State,

362 Ark. 257, 208 S.W.3d 173 (2005). Substantial evidence is evidence of sufficient force

and character that it will, with reasonable certainty, compel a conclusion one way or the

other, without resort to speculation or conjecture. Fultz v. State, 333 Ark. 586, 972 S.W.2d

222 (1998). Circumstantial evidence provides the basis to support a conviction if it is

consistent with the defendant’s guilt and inconsistent with any other reasonable conclusion.

Id.   The question of whether the circumstantial evidence excludes every hypothesis

consistent with innocence is for the jury to decide. Ross v. State, 346 Ark. 225, 57 S.W.3d

152 (2001). It is only when the evidence leaves the jury solely to speculation or conjecture

that it is insufficient as a matter of law. Boston v. State, 69 Ark. App. 155, 12 S.W.3d 245

                                                3
                                 Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 550

(2000). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, and only evidence

supporting the verdict will be considered. Paschal v. State, 2012 Ark. 127, 388 S.W.3d 429.

       Dotson was charged with possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver under

Arkansas Code Annotated section 5-64-436(a),2 which makes it unlawful to possess a

Schedule VI controlled substance, such as marijuana, with the purpose to deliver it. He was

also charged with simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms in violation of Arkansas

Code Annotated section 5-74-106(a)(1).3 In order to sustain a conviction for simultaneous

possession of drugs and firearms, the State must show possession of a firearm by the accused

and a nexus between the firearms and the drugs. See Cherry v. State, 80 Ark. App. 222, 95

S.W.3d 5 (2003).

       Dotson argues that he was not physically present at the home during the search and

the confiscation of any contraband. As a result, he contends that the State cannot prove

actual possession of any drugs or weapon and the evidence does not support a conclusion of

constructive possession. While it is true that Dotson was not present at the residence at the

time of the search, literal physical possession of contraband is not required to support a

conviction. See Morgan v. State, 2009 Ark. 257, 308 S.W.3d 147. Contraband is deemed to

be constructively possessed if the location of the contraband was under the dominion and

control of the accused. See Fultz, supra. Our supreme court has held that constructive

possession exists where joint occupancy of the premises occurs and where there are additional

       2
           (Supp. 2011).
       3
           (Supp. 2011).

                                             4
                                  Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 550

factors linking the accused to the contraband. See Embry v. State, 302 Ark. 608, 792 S.W.2d

318 (1990). Those additional factors include: (a) whether the accused exercised care, control,

and management over the contraband; and (b) whether the accused knew the material was

contraband. See id.; see also Crossley v. State, 304 Ark. 378, 802 S.W.2d 459 (1991). This

control and knowledge can be inferred from the circumstances, such as the proximity of the

contraband to the accused, the fact that it is in plain view, and the ownership of the property

where the contraband is found. See Plotts v. State, 297 Ark. 66, 759 S.W.2d 793 (1988).

       Dotson’s absence during the search and confiscation of the contraband does not

eliminate a conclusion of constructive possession under the evidence submitted to the jury.

The drugs and the firearm were found in a bedroom closet, in close proximity to each other,

and within several feet of a digital scale. This bedroom was shared by Dotson and Sisson.

Dotson was present in the house just prior to the search. Sisson provided a key to the

lockbox containing the marijuana from a key ring used by Dotson. She also testified that

Dotson was selling drugs and she had observed him weighing the drugs on previous

occasions. While Dotson denied selling drugs and having any possession of the key involved,

determining the credibility of witnesses is a function left solely to the fact-finder. Tryon v.

State, 371 Ark. 25, 263 S.W.3d 475 (2007). Most importantly, Dotson gave a statement

admitting that he had purchased the marijuana and possessed the firearm. This statement

infers more than mere knowledge of the contraband, but also ownership and control over

it. This admission also corroborates Sisson’s assertions that the drugs and the pistol belonged

to Dotson. While Dotson’s testimony contradicted the statement, the jury was not required

                                              5
                                  Cite as 2013 Ark. App. 550

to believe Dotson’s testimony. See Castrellon v. State, 2013 Ark. App. 408, ___ S.W.3d ___.

On these facts, taking the evidence in the light most favorable to the State as we must do,

there was sufficient evidence to support the convictions.

       To the extent Dotson argues that he could not be found guilty of simultaneous

possession of drugs and a firearm because he was not present when the gun and drugs were

found and the gun was not readily accessible to him, that defense is not available to him.

Arkansas Code Annotated section 5-74-106(d) provides:

       It is a defense to this section that the defendant was in his or her home and the firearm
       or other implement or weapon was not readily accessible for use.

       In order for this defense to apply, the defendant must establish (1) that he was in his

home and (2) that the firearm was not readily accessible for use. Because Dotson was not in

his home during the search—the first element of the defense—the defense is not available to

him. See Vergara-Soto v. State, 77 Ark. App. 280, 74 S.W.3d 683 (2002).

       Affirmed.

       GLADWIN , C.J., and GLOVER , J., agree.

       Brasel Law Firm, PLLC, by: Aaron R. Brasel, for appellant.

       Dustin McDaniel, Att’y Gen., by: Brad Newman, Ass’t Att’y Gen., for appellee.

                                               6