Preston Wayne Lee v. State

• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas
• Decided: August 27, 2013
• Docket: 01-12-00719-CR
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion issued August 27, 2013.

In The

Court of Appeals For The

First District of Texas ————————————

NO. 01-12-00719-CR

———————————

PRESTON WAYNE LEE, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 23rd Judicial District Court Brazoria County, Texas Trial Court Case No. 67269

MEMORANDUM OPINION

A jury convicted Preston Wayne Lee of possession of methamphetamine in

an amount of more than one, but less than four, grams. The jury assessed punishment at three years in prison. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN.

§§ 481.102(6), 481.115 (West 2010). The State moved to stack Lee’s prison

sentence with a five-year term from a conviction that the trial court imposed before

the trial of this cause. On appeal, Lee contends that (1) the evidence is insufficient

to support Lee’s conviction for possession of methamphetamine; (2) the trial court

erred in denying Lee’s motion to suppress evidence obtained from a search

warrant; and (3) the trial court erred in granting the State’s motion to stack

sentences. Finding no error, we affirm.

Background Oyster Creek Police Department Officer R. Gonzalez received several

complaints from Lee’s neighbors about heavy traffic at Lee’s home. Officer

Gonzalez conducted surveillance of the home and sent a confidential informant to

attempt to buy methamphetamine at the home.

The informant successfully purchased methamphetamine from Lee’s

girlfriend, Kira Campbell, who also resided at the home. Officer Gonzalez filed an

affidavit and secured a warrant to search the home. The affidavit identified

Campbell as the individual suspected of possession of a controlled substance, and

named both Campbell and Lee as suspects.

When Officer Gonzalez arrived at the residence, he found Lee and Campbell

at home. Officer Gonzalez informed them of the warrant and read them their

2 Miranda warnings. A female officer searched Campbell and found two plastic

sandwich bags containing methamphetamine in her right front pocket. Officer

Gonzalez then questioned Lee, who told him that the rest of the methamphetamine

was in the bedroom. They headed for the bedroom, where Lee pointed Officer

Gonzalez toward several zippered pouches that contained methamphetamine, as

well as a safe that Lee identified as belonging to him. Lee removed the key for the

safe from his key ring and handed it to Officer Gonzalez. Officer Gonzalez opened

the safe and found various drug paraphernalia, including a shot glass that contained

methamphetamine residue. The police did not discover any narcotics on Lee’s

person.

In all, the officers collected five plastic bags of methamphetamine from the

house. The drug paraphernalia they collected included a pipe, a scale, a butane

lighter, a playing card, and hypodermic syringes—all of which were consistent

with methamphetamine use. Field tests revealed that the bags contained

methamphetamine. Later lab tests confirmed those results. The bags’ contents

amounted to a total of 2.9655 grams of methamphetamine. One bag weighed

2.3918 grams, and the remaining bags weighed less than 0.3 grams each.

Lee testified in his own defense. He admitted that he transported Campbell

to Lake Jackson to purchase the methamphetamine found at the residence. Lee also

admitted that he had used methamphetamine, supplied by Campbell, in the week

3 before the search. Lee’s brother also testified that Lee knowingly kept drugs in the

house even though his teenage children lived with him.

In January 2010, Lee pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated, and

received seven years’ probation. The State later moved to revoke Lee’s probation.

Lee pleaded true to violating some terms of his probation, but not to this drug

possession charge. The trial court revoked his probation and assessed punishment

at five years’ imprisonment.

Discussion

I. Motion to Suppress Lee claims that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress the

evidence obtained through executing the search warrant, contending that Officer

Gonzalez’s affidavit does not provide probable cause to support the search warrant.

Specifically, Lee contends that the affidavit does not identify evidence that

supports Gonzalez’s statement that the confidential informant was credible and

reliable, and observes that the informant purchased narcotics only from Campbell

and not from Lee.

A. Standard of Review

We apply a bifurcated standard of review, deferring to the trial court’s

determination of historical facts, while reviewing de novo the court’s application

of the law. See Dyar v. State, 125 S.W.3d 460, 462 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). In a

4 hearing on a motion to suppress, the trial court is the sole trier of fact and judge of

the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given to their testimony. State

v. Ross, 32 S.W.3d 853, 855 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Foster v. State, 101 S.W.3d

490, 495 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2002, no pet.).

In determining whether an affidavit contains probable cause to support the

issuance of a search warrant, the trial court is constrained to the four corners of the

affidavit; it does not make credibility determinations. State v. McLain, 337 S.W.3d

268, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011). We apply a deferential standard of review to the

decision to issue a warrant, because the constitution prefers for searches to be

conducted pursuant to a warrant, as opposed to a warrantless search. Swearingen v.

State, 143 S.W.3d 808, 810–1l (Tex. Crim. App. 2004) (citing Illinois v. Gates,

462 U.S. 213, 234–37, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 2330–32 (1983)). If the trial court has a

substantial basis for concluding that probable cause exists, we should uphold its

probable cause determination. Gates, 462 U.S. at 236, 103 S. Ct. at 2331.

The facts set forth in an affidavit filed in support of the issuance of a search

warrant must show a fair probability that the search will result in discovery of the

suspected contraband on the premises. State v. Duarte, 389 S.W.3d 349, 354 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2012). Information about a controlled purchase in an affidavit can

support a reasonable inference that additional drugs are present at the location,

5 even if the informant fails to see them. See State v. Griggs, 352 S.W.3d 297, 303–

04 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, pet. ref’d)

B. Analysis

Lee challenges Officer Gonzalez’s reliance on a confidential informant as

support for a search warrant. Officer Gonzalez received a tip that

methamphetamine had been sold out of Lee’s residence and that Campbell was

involved. He received this information from an informant who had provided true

information in previous investigations. An informant’s history of providing reliable

information can support a police officer’s conclusion that the informant is reliable.

See Capistran, 759 S.W.2d at 128; Blake, 125 S.W.3d at 726.

Lee responds that no evidence demonstrates that the informant had provided

information in the past that had resulted in any convictions. This contention

conflates reliable information with convictable information. See Blake, 125 S.W.3d

at 726. Information or evidence can be true, even if the information does not lead

to a conviction. See id.

In addition, the affidavit states that the informant bought methamphetamine

from Campbell on more than one occasion, while officers watched the residence.

The controlled purchases, coupled with the facts set forth in the search warrant,

show a fair probability that a search would result in the discovery of contraband on

the suspected premises. See Duarte, 389 S.W.3d at 354. Because sufficient

6 probable cause exists to support the search warrant, we hold that the trial court did

not err in denying Lee’s motion to suppress.

II. Sufficiency of the Evidence Lee maintains that insufficient evidence exists to support his conviction for

possession of methamphetamine in an amount of more than one, but less than four

grams.

A. Standard of Review We review legal and factual sufficiency challenges using the same standard

of review. Ervin v. State, 331 S.W.3d 49, 54 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]

2010, pet. ref’d). Under this standard, evidence is insufficient to support a

conviction if, considering all the record evidence in the light most favorable to the

verdict, no rational factfinder could have found that each essential element of the

charged offense was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson v. Virginia,

443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 2789 (1979); In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 361,

90 S. Ct. 1068, 1071 (1970); Laster v. State, 275 S.W.3d 512, 517 (Tex. Crim.

App. 2009); Williams v. State, 235 S.W.3d 742, 750 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).

Viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, the evidence is insufficient under

this standard in two circumstances: (1) the record contains no evidence, or merely

a “modicum” of evidence, probative of an element of the offense; or (2) the

evidence conclusively establishes a reasonable doubt. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at

7 314, 318 n.11, 320, 99 S. Ct. at 2786, 2789 & n.11; Laster, 275 S.W.3d at 518;

Williams, 235 S.W.3d at 750. Additionally, the evidence is insufficient as a matter

of law if the acts alleged do not constitute the criminal offense charged. Williams,

235 S.W.3d at 750.

An appellate court considers the combined and cumulative force of all the

evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, to determine whether

the necessary inferences have a reasonable basis in the evidence. Clayton v. State,

235 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (citing Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d

9, 16–17 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Circumstantial evidence is as probative as direct

evidence in establishing the guilt of an actor, and circumstantial evidence can be

sufficient to establish guilt. Id. We presume that the factfinder resolved any

conflicting inferences in favor of the verdict and defer to that resolution. See

Jackson, 443 U.S. at 326, 99 S. Ct. at 2793; Clayton, 235 S.W.3d at 778.

B. Possession of a controlled substance

Lee challenges the jury’s findings that he exercised control, management, or

care over the substance; he contends that Campbell possessed the

methamphetamine weighing between one and four grams.

In prosecuting a defendant for possession of a controlled substance, the State

must prove that (1) the accused exercised control, management, or care over the

substance; and (2) the accused knew the substance possessed was contraband.

8 Evans v. State, 202 S.W.3d 158, 161 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006); see TEX. HEALTH &

SAFETY CODE ANN. § 481.115 (West 2010). A defendant’s presence at the location

where drugs are found is not enough to establish that the defendant had care,

custody, or control of the drugs. Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 161–62. But the State need

not prove that the defendant had exclusive possession; joint possession is enough

to establish the defendant’s actual care, custody, or control of the drugs.

McGoldrick v. State, 682 S.W.2d 573, 578 (Tex. Crim. App. 1987); Hubert v.

State, 312 S.W.3d 687, 691–92 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, pet. ref’d).

For either joint or sole possession, the State must prove, however, that a link exists

between the defendant and the drugs. Id. Evidence of an affirmative link may

include:

(1) the defendant’s presence when a search is conducted; (2) whether the contraband was in plain view; (3) the defendant’s proximity to and the accessibility of the narcotic; (4) whether the defendant was under the influence of narcotics when arrested; (5) whether the defendant possessed other contraband or narcotics when arrested; (6) whether the defendant made incriminating statements when arrested; (7) whether the defendant attempted to flee; (8) whether the defendant made furtive gestures; (9) whether there was an odor of contraband; (10) whether other contraband or drug paraphernalia were present; (11) whether the defendant owned or had the right to possess the place where the drugs were found; (12) whether the place where the drugs were found was enclosed; (13) whether the defendant was found with a large amount of cash; and (14) whether the conduct of the defendant indicated a consciousness of guilt.

Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 162 n.12. The logical force of all of the evidence, rather than

the number of links, is dispositive to show possession. Id. at 162.

9 C. Analysis

Several pieces of evidence link Lee to the methamphetamine found in his

home, demonstrating that his presence when the police discovered the drugs was

more than fortuitous. See id. at 161–62. Lee voluntarily showed Officer Gonzalez

the methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the bedroom safe. Lee admitted

that had he used methamphetamine a week before execution of the search warrant,

and that he drove Campbell to purchase more methamphetamine in Lake Jackson.

Lee’s brother testified that Lee knowingly kept drugs in the house while his

children were present. Lee was the legal resident of the home where the drugs were

found. Also, drug paraphernalia was present at the scene, and Lee possessed the

key to the safe.

Lee contends that the officer failed to separate the bags containing

methamphetamine in the safe from those found on Campbell’s person, and the

record shows that one bag was disproportionately heavier than the other four bags.

However, a rational factfinder could have concluded that Lee jointly possessed the

methamphetamine in the house, including the methamphetamine on Campbell’s

person. Lee’s admission that he had used methamphetamine within the past week,

that Campbell supplied the methamphetamine, and that he drove Campbell to

purchase drugs is enough to support the inference that the methamphetamine was

10 within his care, custody, and control and that he knew she had the drug on her

person. See id.

Viewed in favor of the jury verdict, we hold that sufficient evidence supports

the jury’s finding that Lee knowingly possessed between one and four grams of

methamphetamine.

III. Motion to Run Sentences Consecutively Finally, Lee contends that the trial court erred in granting the State’s motion

to stack sentences because the State failed to provide evidence of Lee’s earlier

conviction for felony driving while intoxicated.

A. Standard of Review Texas statute confers the discretion to cumulate sentences to the trial courts.

See TEX. CODE. CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.08 (West 2006). Like the assessment of

an individual punishment, a trial court’s decision to cumulate under article 42.08(a)

is “a normative, discretionary function that does not turn on discrete findings of

fact.” Barrow v. State, 207 S.W.3d 377, 380 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). If a trial

court’s lawfully exercises the option to cumulate, that decision is unassailable on

appeal. Id. at 381. But when a trial court unlawfully orders cumulation in a case

that did not involve a negotiated plea agreement, the appellate court should reform

the judgment by deleting the order. Beedy v. State, 250 S.W.3d 107, 110 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2008).

11 B. Proof to support cumulation

To support a motion to stack sentences, the State must provide both evidence

of an earlier conviction and evidence that the defendant’s identity is the same as

the person previously convicted. Barela v. State, 180 S.W.3d 145, 148 (Tex. Crim.

App. 2005). A trial court must be aware of a defendant’s prior conviction before it

exercises its discretion to cumulate. Miller v. State, 33 S.W.3d 257, 260 (Tex.

Crim. App. 2000). The State may establish these facts in a variety of ways, such as

through live testimony, admissions, and oral stipulations. Montgomery v. State, 876

S.W.2d 414, 416 (Tex. App.—Austin 1994, pet. ref’d) (per curiam); see also

Mungaray v. State, 188 S.W.3d 178, 183 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006) (holding that

admissions by appellant and her lawyer and undisputed admissions by the State

was enough evidence to connect appellant to prior conviction and support a trial

court’s cumulation order).

C. Analysis

Lee testified during trial that he had a prior DWI conviction, for which he

was placed on probation in February 2010. The State proffered a certified copy of

the DWI judgment, the felony supervision order, and the criminal court docket

entries to corroborate this testimony. Lee further testified that his probation was

revoked before trial in this case, and that, at the revocation proceeding, the trial

court assessed his punishment at five years’ imprisonment. Although the criminal

12 court docket entry does not contain the date that the court assessed Lee’s

punishment, Lee’s testimony demonstrates that the DWI sentence preceded the

imposition of his three-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance.

Moreover, Lee’s trial counsel reminded the trial court that it had presided over

Lee’s revocation proceeding earlier in the week and had imposed the five-year

sentence. See Mungaray, 188 S.W.3d at 183. Because the record contains

sufficient evidence of Lee’s prior conviction, we hold that the trial court did not err

in granting the State’s motion to stack sentences.

Jane Bland Justice

Panel consists of Justices Keyes, Higley, and Bland.

Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).