United States v. Pollack

701 F. Supp. 117, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14808, 1988 WL 138563
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Texas
DecidedDecember 2, 1988
DocketCrim. A. No. 3-88-0032-H
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 701 F. Supp. 117 (United States v. Pollack) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Pollack, 701 F. Supp. 117, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14808, 1988 WL 138563 (N.D. Tex. 1988).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

SANDERS, Acting Chief Judge.

Before the Court are Defendant’s Motion in Arrest of Judgment and Supporting Brief, filed October 18, 1988; Government’s Response thereto, filed November 4, 1988; Defendant’s Motion for New Trial, filed October 18, 1988; and Government’s Response thereto, filed November 4, 1988. For the following reasons, the Court DENIES both of these motions.

I. Defendant’s Motion in Arrest of Judgment

A. Defendant’s Position

The Defendant was convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1) for using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, to wit, the possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in violation of 21 U.S. C. § 841(a)(1). The Defendant contends that the language of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) is clear and unambiguous and as such does not include the offense of possession with intent to distribute as a drug trafficking crime during which the carrying of a firearm is illegal. The Defendant also contends, however, that if the Court finds the statute is not clear, but rather is ambiguous, the rules of lenity and strict construction require interpreting ambiguities in favor of the Defendant. For the foregoing reasons the Defendant, therefore, moves this Court to arrest the judgment and dismiss the case.

1. Statutory Language

Title 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(2) states that the term “drug trafficking crime” means any felony violation of federal law involving the distribution, manufacture, or importation of any controlled substance (as defined in Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act [21 U.S.C. § 802]). Defendant notes that Courts must generally follow the plain and unambiguous language of a statute. Defendant contends that a clear reading of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(2) does not include possession with intent to distribute as one of the drug trafficking crimes. Defendant also points out that neither “possession with intent to distribute” nor “possession” is mentioned in 21 U.S.C. § 802, the section referenced in 18 U.S.C. § 924(c). Further, the Defendant contends that the principle of strict construction does not permit the Court to find “possession” encompassed in the statutory language “involving distribution.”

If the Court finds that the language of the statute, “involving distribution,” is ambiguous, then according to the Defendant the Court must apply the rule of lenity. The Defendant contends that to overcome the rule of lenity, the statute must be plain and unmistaken in making particular conduct a federal offense. The Defendant contends that the firearms statute does not overcome the rule of lenity and if this Court does not apply the rule of lenity in favor of the Defendant, the Court will violate the due process requirement of fair warning.

2. Legislative History

The Defendant also analyzes the legislative history of the firearm statute to sup[119]*119port his position that possession with intent to distribute is not a drug trafficking crime covered by the statute. The Defendant points out that the language of the firearm statute progressed from prohibiting the carrying of a firearm during the commission of “any felony” to “crimes of violence” to the present “crimes of violence or drug trafficking crimes.” Defendant contends that when Congress added “drug trafficking crimes” to the firearm statute, Congress specified the prohibited activity. Defendant asserts that Congress’ silence regarding possession with intent to distribute clearly indicates that such conduct was not to be included in this statute.

B. Government’s Position

In support of its position, the Government relies on cases which have specifically stated that possession with intent to distribute is a drug trafficking crime within the meaning of the firearm statute. For example, in United States v. Robinson, 857 F.2d 1006, 1010 (5th Cir.1988), the Fifth Circuit held that “[possession of cocaine with intent to distribute it is a ‘drug trafficking’ crime with [sic] the meaning of § 924(c)(1). See 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(2).” The Fifth Circuit did not set forth any statutory analysis prior to reaching this conclusion. The holding was issued in relation to a sufficiency of the evidence challenge to a defendant’s conviction for firearm use in connection with a drug trafficking offense.

The Government also relies on a recent Fourth Circuit opinion, United States v. James, 834 F.2d 92 (4th Cir.1987). The James case addressed the precise issue before the Court. The James court found that § 924(c) is unambiguous and interpreted the statute to apply to crimes of possession with intent to distribute. Id. at 92-93. The court noted that possession with intent to distribute is closely and necessarily involved with distribution. Id. at 93. The court also considered police interruption of intended drug transactions and found that the court’s interpretation was necessary to give rational effect to § 924(c). Id.

The Government also cites a recent Eighth Circuit opinion, United States v. Matra, 841 F.2d 837 (8th Cir.1988). The Matra court’s analysis closely parallels the James court’s analysis. The Matra court, however, also noted that conviction for the crime of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute requires proof of the defendant’s specific intent to distribute. Id. at 843. The Matra court, therefore, found possession with intent to distribute a crime clearly “involving” the distribution of cocaine. Id.

Finally, the Government relies on the Eleventh Circuit opinion, United States v. Cruz, 805 F.2d 1464, 1475 n. 12 (11th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1006, 107 S.Ct. 1631, 95 L.Ed.2d 204 (1987). This case is not as clearly on point as James or Matra. The Cruz opinion does indicate, however, that the Eleventh Circuit would probably uphold the possession of narcotics with intent to distribute as a drug trafficking crime within 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).

C.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

United States v. Manuel Vasquez Contreras
895 F.2d 1241 (Ninth Circuit, 1990)
United States v. Pollack
890 F.2d 1162 (Fifth Circuit, 1989)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
701 F. Supp. 117, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14808, 1988 WL 138563, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-pollack-txnd-1988.