United States v. Simmons

270 F. App'x 257
Procedural entryThis page is a short order in United States v. Simmons. Read the opinion of the Court — 340 F. App'x 141
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit·Decided March 18, 2008·No. 06-4828·Unpublished

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Michael Warren Simmons appeals his jury convictions and sentence for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), 841(b)(1)(C), and 841(b)(1)(D) (2000); use of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(l)(A)(I) (2000); and felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1), 924(a)(2) and 924(e)(1) (2000). Simmons’ attorney has filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S.Ct. 1396, 18 L.Ed.2d 493 (1967), certifying there are no meritorious issues for appeal. Simmons filed a pro se supplemental brief asserting issues concerning the search warrant, chain of custody, jury voir dire, jury instructions, prosecutorial misconduct, judicial misconduct, and ineffective assistance *258 of counsel. Finding no reversible error, we affirm.

After observing informant Larry Wilson’s controlled purchase of marijuana from Simmons, police officers obtained and executed a search warrant on Simmons’ home. Simmons, having been advised of his Miranda rights, directed the officers to his kitchen and bedroom closet, where they found marijuana, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and a pistol.

Simmons admitted the items were his. Simmons claims that the district court erred in refusing to compel Wilson’s appearance at trial. We find no error. The district court denied Simmons’ request for a subpoena only because the court had no information of where Wilson could be found. Simmons does not suggest, given the district court’s lack of knowledge of Wilson’s whereabouts, what the court could have done differently, and Simmons never requested a continuance, nor does he argue now that the district court should have granted one.

Simmons next claims the court erred when it designated him an armed career criminal. A defendant convicted of violating § 924(g) qualifies as an armed career criminal under 18 U.S.C. § 924(e) if he has three prior convictions for a violent felony. The definition of “violent felony” includes any felony that is burglary. 18 U.S.C. § 924(e)(2)(B) (2000). Between 2001 and 2003, Simmons was convicted of three separate burglaries in South Carolina. While Simmons attempts to distinguish one of his prior convictions because it involved the burglary of a residence under construction, the Supreme Court has held that “a person has been convicted of burglary for purposes of a § 924(e) enhancement if he is convicted of any crime, regardless of its exact definition or label, having the basic elements of unlawful or unprivileged entry into, or remaining in, a building or structure, with intent to commit a crime.” Taylor v. United States, 495 U.S. 575, 599, 110 S.Ct. 2143, 109 L.Ed.2d 607 (1990). The district court therefore did not err in classifying Simmons as an armed career criminal.

In his pro se brief, Simmons asserts multiple claims, none of which were raised before the trial court. Issues raised for the first time on appeal are reviewed for plain error. See United States v. White, 405 F.3d 208, 215 (4th Cir.2005). To establish plain error, Simmons must show error occurred, that it was plain, and that it affected his substantial rights. Id.

Simmons initially claims there was no search warrant at the time of the search and that the police officers created a false document at a later date. Police officer Todd Hurteau testified that officers immediately took the surveillance evidence from the controlled buy to a magistrate judge, who reviewed the evidence and then approved the search warrant. There is no evidence that the officers did not have a search warrant, nor is there any evidence that the officers falsified the search warrant. Thus, Simmons failed to establish plain error in this respect.

Simmons next claims that the evidence at his trial was tainted because numerous people had handled the evidence and that it could have come from anywhere. The officers who seized the evidence testified that the exhibits admitted were the items found at Simmons’ residence. Simmons’ unsupported speculation does not demonstrate error, let alone plain error. The evidence was properly submitted and there is no plain error in the chain of custody.

Third, Simmons claims the court misdes-cribed the elements and evidence to the jury in the jury instructions. The district court’s instructions will be upheld “provided the instructions, taken as a whole, adequately state the controlling law.” Teague v. Bakker, 35 F.3d 978, 985 (4th Cir.1994). *259 As evidenced by the final verdict form, the jury knew the exact elements of the crimes. Simmons also claims that the jury instructions did not properly inform the jury about informant Wilson and his criminal history, but jury instructions are intended to state the law and not the evidence. Thus, there is no plain error in the court’s jury instructions.

Fourth, Simmons asserts the evidence was insufficient to convict him of the firearm charges. Simmons told police officers there was a gun in the bedroom, and after the officers found it in a heating duct, he admitted it was his. He now argues the gun could have been in the bedroom duct for years, but provides no support for his argument. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, it is sufficient to prove Simmons possessed the gun. See United States v. Smith, 451 F.3d 209, 216 (4th Cir.2006).

Fifth, Simmons claims that the government attorney made improper statements during opening and closing arguments. To prevail on a claim of prosecutorial misconduct, a defendant must show the Government’s remarks and conduct were improper and they affected his substantial rights so as to deprive him of a fair trial. United States v. Golding, 168 F.3d 700, 702 (4th Cir.1999).

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Related

Anders v. California
386 U.S. 738 (Supreme Court, 1967)
Taylor v. United States
495 U.S. 575 (Supreme Court, 1990)
United States v. Jerry Wayne Golding
168 F.3d 700 (Fourth Circuit, 1999)
United States v. Anthony Gerald White, Sr.
405 F.3d 208 (Fourth Circuit, 2005)
United States v. Smith
451 F.3d 209 (Fourth Circuit, 2006)
Teague v. Bakker
35 F.3d 978 (Fourth Circuit, 1994)