United States v. Daniel Patch

463 F. App'x 665

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: December 22, 2011
• Docket: 11-30083
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Daniel Patch appeals pro se from the district court’s order affirming a magistrate judge’s imposition of a $285 fine on Patch for violating 36 C.F.R. § 2.32(a)(1). The magistrate judge and district court found that Patch repeatedly failed to comply with Ranger Mayer’s commands to provide identification and exit his mobile-home, and that, to the extent he was detained, his resistance was not excused by an absence of reasonable suspicion to detain him. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We affirm.

A challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is reviewed de novo to determine whether, viewing “the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979) (emphasis omitted); United States v. Bucher, 375 F.3d 929, 934 (9th Cir.2004). The district court’s adherence to that standard in reviewing the magistrate judge’s decision was proper and therefore did not betray an impermissible bias.

Patch also argues on appeal that the evidence does not support his conviction and that his reaction was justified by fear and provocation. Mayer was justified in approaching Patch based on his belief that Patch was parked illegally. United States v. Arvizu, 534 U.S. 266, 273, 122 S.Ct. 744, 151 L.Ed.2d 740 (2002). For that reason, Patch’s resistance was not justified, even if he was parked legally or was intimidated by Mayer. See United States v. Willfong, 274 F.3d 1297, 1300-01 (9th Cir.2001) (analyzing a claim under 36 C.F.R. § 261.3(a)). Nor was it excused by Mayer’s allegedly provocative conduct, as the magistrate judge’s contrary factual findings are not clearly erroneous. See Young v. Cnty. of L.A., 655 F.3d 1156, 1164 (9th Cir.2011); United States v. Ruiz-Gaxiola, 623 F.3d 684, 693 n. 4 (9th Cir.2010). Thus, a rational trier of fact could have determined that Patch’s refusal to comply with Mayer’s orders violated section 2.32(a)(1). See United States v. Bibbins, 637 F.3d 1087, 1093 (9th Cir.2011); Bucher, 375 F.3d at 934.

AFFIRMED.

** This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9 th Cir. R. 36-3.