United States v. Jackson , 334 F. App'x 900 ( 2009 )


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  •                                                                            FILED
    United States Court of Appeals
    Tenth Circuit
    June 24, 2009
    UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
    Elisabeth A. Shumaker
    Clerk of Court
    TENTH CIRCUIT
    __________________________
    UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
    Plaintiff - Appellee,
    v.                                                        No. 07-2212
    (D. N.M.)
    STEVE NATHANIEL JACKSON,                         (D.Ct. No. 2:06-CR-01795-RB)
    Defendant - Appellant.
    ORDER AND JUDGMENT *
    Before TACHA, LUCERO, and O’BRIEN, Circuit Judges.
    A jury convicted Steve Jackson of possession with intent to distribute crack
    cocaine. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. He claims the district court
    infringed upon his right to present a defense by permitting one of his potential
    witnesses, Joseph Armstrong, to invoke the Fifth Amendment privilege against
    self-incrimination and refuse to testify. He also claims that error was
    compounded when the court refused to admit Armstrong’s out-of-court statements
    *
    This order and judgment is not binding precedent. 10th Cir. R. 32.1(A). Citation
    to orders and judgments is not prohibited. Fed. R. App. 32.1. But it is discouraged,
    except when related to law of the case, issue preclusion or claim preclusion. Any citation
    to an order and judgment must be accompanied by an appropriate parenthetical notation --
    (unpublished). 10th Cir. R. 32.1(A).
    exculpating Jackson. We affirm.
    I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
    On May 18, 2006, New Mexico Probation and Parole Officers Mark
    Cubillos and Riley Loomis, accompanied by officers from state and local law
    enforcement agencies, were conducting home visits of probationers and parolees
    in Hobbs, New Mexico. One of the parolees was Jackson, who had informed the
    probation office he resided at 203 South Douglas but often stayed with his
    girlfriend across the street at 208 South Douglas. Loomis and several officers
    went to 203 South Douglas while Cubillos and other officers went to 208 South
    Douglas.
    At the 203 South Douglas address, Loomis was approached by Ruby
    Patterson, Jackson’s aunt. Patterson said Jackson was not there; he had not stayed
    there the previous night; she did not know where he was staying; and “he hadn't
    been staying there for a while.” (Appellant's App. Vol. II at 163.) Loomis and
    the officers left and went to 208 South Douglas.
    At 208 South Douglas, Cubillos knocked on the front door while other
    officers positioned themselves around the house. Cubillos heard “quick
    movement” inside. (Id. at 138.) He knocked again and identified himself. He
    continued to hear movement from within the house. Cubillos continued to knock
    and identify himself for approximately seven more minutes. Finally, Jackson
    opened the door. Due to Jackson’s delay in answering the door, the officers
    -2-
    decided to search the residence. 1
    In the kitchen officers discovered two sets of digital scales, one containing
    white flakes. In the kitchen trash, they found numerous baggies with their bottom
    corners removed, a razor blade cardboard (used to protect a razor blade's edge)
    and a pair of used latex gloves. In the master bedroom, they found several
    photographs of Jackson, mail addressed to Jackson at the 208 South Douglas
    address, as well as clothing for men, women and children. They also discovered a
    bag containing two unopened packages of sandwich baggies, two bags of latex
    gloves and an unopened box of razor blades. In the second bedroom, they found a
    baggie containing 7.9 grams of crack cocaine in the pocket of a men’s jacket and
    a box of .380 caliber ammunition.
    While walking through the hallway, New Mexico State Police Officer
    Timothy Argo noticed the ceiling door to the attic was not sitting properly inside
    its opening. Believing someone had recently entered the attic, Argo pushed the
    attic door up and moved it over. In doing so, he noticed a plastic bag hanging
    over the edge of the opening. When he grabbed the bag, a small baggie of crack
    cocaine fell to the floor. Other officers lifted Argo into the attic, where he
    discovered two plastic baggies containing smaller baggies of crack cocaine. A
    1
    Cubillos testified Jackson’s delay in opening the door was significant because in
    his experience “when someone takes awhile to answer the door, it usually means that
    they’re trying to [hide or conceal] a probation [or parole] violation.” (Appellant’s App.
    Vol. II at 140.)
    -3-
    total of 206.8 grams of crack cocaine was seized from the attic. Jackson was
    arrested.
    Four days later, on May 22, 2006, Armstrong signed an affidavit, prepared
    by Jackson’s then-attorney, saying the cocaine found at 208 South Douglas was
    his, not Jackson’s, and he stayed at the 208 South Douglas residence on “many
    occasions.” (Appellant's App. Vol. I at 32.) According to the affidavit, he
    understood he was subjecting himself to potential prosecution but he could not
    “let another person go to prison for something that belonged to [him.]” (Id.)
    On August 24, 2006, four agents from the Drug Enforcement
    Administration (DEA) and the Lea County New Mexico Drug Task Force
    interviewed Armstrong. Armstrong initially said the cocaine found at 208 South
    Douglas belonged to him but eventually recanted, saying the cocaine did not
    belong to him and he was only trying to help Jackson. He said he had been
    friends with Jackson for a long time and considered Jackson to be family.
    Although he was not promised anything specific for claiming the cocaine
    belonged to him, Armstrong believed Jackson would “take care of him.” (Id. at
    34.) When asked what he would say if placed under oath by a judge, Armstrong
    admitted he would say the cocaine did not belong to him.
    On October 31, 2006, Armstrong again changed his story, this time in a
    videotaped statement taken in the office of Jackson’s current attorney.
    Armstrong, who was not placed under oath or subject to cross examination, said
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    the cocaine found inside the 208 South Douglas residence belonged to him. The
    residence was owned by Jackson’s grandmother but he had been staying there
    since 2000 or 2001 with the permission of Jackson’s sister. He did not know who
    owned the jacket containing the crack cocaine. He was distantly related to
    Jackson and they were close.
    When asked whether he was aware both crack and powder cocaine were
    found, Armstrong responded there was “hard and cut up” cocaine. (R. Videotape
    at 5:50-51.) He claimed the government agents interviewing him (on August 24)
    told him they were leaving with him or “the truth.” (Id. at 6:27.) He believed the
    statement meant they were going to arrest him. He knew the videotape was being
    prepared for trial and he could be prosecuted for his statement but did not want an
    innocent man to be punished. Armstrong claimed he was not forced or threatened
    to make the statement and would be willing to testify at trial.
    II. PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
    Jackson was indicted with possession with intent to distribute fifty grams
    and more of crack cocaine and aiding and abetting in violation of 
    21 U.S.C. § 841
    (a)(1) and 
    18 U.S.C. § 2
    . The government filed an amended information
    alleging Jackson had previously been convicted of three felony drug convictions,
    which subjected him to a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Jackson filed
    a notice of intent to use Armstrong’s affidavit and videotape statement at trial
    pursuant to the hearsay exceptions set forth in Rules 804(b)(3) and 807 of the
    -5-
    Federal Rules of Evidence. The government opposed the introduction of the
    statements. The district court concluded the statements were inadmissible hearsay
    and did not satisfy the requirements for admission under either Rule 804(b)(3) or
    Rule 807 because Jackson failed to provide sufficient corroboration of their
    trustworthiness. It also determined Armstrong’s statements did not necessarily
    exculpate Jackson—even if Armstrong owned the crack cocaine, Jackson could
    have knowingly possessed it.
    Jackson subpoenaed Armstrong to testify at Jackson’s trial. Prior to the
    start of trial, Armstrong’s attorney informed the court Armstrong would be
    invoking his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Jackson objected, arguing
    Armstrong did not have the right to invoke the Fifth Amendment privilege
    because he had already inculpated himself in the affidavit and videotape
    statement. The court placed Armstrong under oath and advised him of his right to
    remain silent:
    THE COURT: Mr. Armstrong, the United States Constitution/New
    Mexico Constitution gives you the right not to say anything under
    oath that might subject you to criminal exposure, criminal penalties,
    to incriminate yourself. Have you talked about that right with [your
    attorney]?
    THE WITNESS: Yes, I've talked about it.
    THE COURT: And do you understand the nature of that right?
    THE WITNESS: I believe so.
    THE COURT: And do you understand that if you say something here
    -6-
    this morning under oath that could result in your . . . own criminal
    liability. Is that clear?
    THE WITNESS: Yes, sir.
    THE COURT: And, of course, with criminal liability comes the
    possibility of a jail sentence, a probationary sentence, fines, any -
    any of those things. Do you understand?
    THE WITNESS: Yes, sir.
    THE COURT: And do you have any questions about your right to
    invoke the Fifth Amendment?
    THE WITNESS: No, sir.
    (Appellant’s App. Vol. II at 93-94.)
    Jackson objected, claiming this admonition, combined with the agents
    informing Armstrong he would be arrested if he did not tell “the truth,” were
    coercive and interfered with Armstrong’s right to decide whether or not to testify.
    In response, the court informed Armstrong that by explaining to him his rights, its
    intent was not to influence Armstrong’s decision whether to testify:
    THE COURT: [T]here was certainly no intent on my part to coerce
    you . . . one way or the other about how you testify this morning. It's
    my obligation to inform you of your right not to testify at this point.
    And it was my belief that in order to fully inform you of what that
    right against self-incrimination means, that I ought to tell you what
    the potential consequences would be.
    I didn't intend to coerce you, threaten you, twist your arm, or do
    anything else. And certainly, you've had the right to counsel . . .
    before today . . . and during this hearing. So do you, at this point,
    feel fully informed of your rights?
    THE WITNESS: Yes, sir. I wish not to answer any more questions.
    -7-
    (Id. at 97.) When asked whether Armstrong would testify if he were called as a
    witness at trial, Armstrong stated he would invoke his right to remain silent. The
    court accepted Armstrong’s invocation of the Fifth Amendment privilege. At all
    times during this exchange, Armstrong had independent counsel present to assist
    him.
    Jackson renewed his request to submit Armstrong’s affidavit and videotape
    statement, claiming they were crucial to his defense. The court again denied the
    request.
    III. DISCUSSION
    Jackson says the district court infringed upon his constitutional right to
    present a defense by allowing Armstrong to invoke his Fifth Amendment right to
    remain silent. In the alternative, he claims the court erred in excluding
    Armstrong’s affidavit and videotape statement because they were admissible
    under Rules 804(b)(3) and 807 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
    A. Invocation of Fifth Amendment Right
    Armstrong inculpated himself in his affidavit and the videotape statement.
    Excluding that evidence, Jackson says, vitiates his right to a fair trial. He also
    alleges the government substantially interfered with Armstrong’s decision
    whether to testify.
    Whether a witness may properly invoke the Fifth Amendment privilege
    against self-incrimination is a question of law we review de novo. United States
    -8-
    v. Rivas-Macias, 
    537 F.3d 1271
    , 1278 (10th Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 
    129 S. Ct. 1371
     (2009). We also review de novo a claim that the government violated a
    defendant’s constitutional right to present a defense. United States v. Serrano,
    
    406 F.3d 1208
    , 1214 (10th Cir. 2005).
    1. Effect of Affidavit and Videotape Statement
    A criminal defendant has a constitutional right to present a defense,
    including the right to present witnesses, and such right is “essential to a fair
    trial.” 
    Id. at 1214-15
    . However, that right, while fundamental, is not absolute.
    Rivas-Macias, 
    537 F.3d at 1278
    . In certain cases, “a defendant's right to present a
    defense must bow to accommodate legitimate, competing interests in the criminal
    trial process.” 
    Id.
     One of these interests is the Fifth Amendment privilege of a
    witness not to incriminate himself. 
    Id.
     For the privilege to apply, however, the
    witness “must face some authentic danger of self-incrimination.” 
    Id. at 1277
    (quotations omitted). “The witness is not exonerated from answering merely
    because he declares that in so doing he would incriminate himself . . . . It is for
    the court to say whether his silence is justified and to require him to answer if it
    clearly appears to the court that he is mistaken.” Hoffman v. United States, 
    341 U.S. 479
    , 486 (1951) (citation and quotations omitted).
    The protection against self-incrimination afforded by the Fifth Amendment
    should be liberally construed. 
    Id.
     It “extends to answers that would in
    themselves support a conviction under a federal criminal statute [and] those which
    -9-
    would furnish a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute the claimant for
    a federal crime.” 
    Id.
     “Not much is required, therefore, to show an individual
    faces some authentic danger of self-incrimination, as the privilege extends to
    admissions that may only tend to incriminate.” Rivas-Macias, 
    537 F.3d at 1278
    (citation and quotations omitted). “[W]e will uphold an individual’s invocation
    of the [Fifth Amendment] privilege against self-incrimination unless it is
    perfectly clear, from a careful consideration of all the circumstances in the case,
    that the witness is mistaken and his answers could not possibly have a tendency to
    incriminate.” 
    Id. at 1278-79
     (quotations omitted).
    Mitchell v. United States, 
    526 U.S. 314
     (1999), is informative. Mitchell
    pled guilty to various drug charges while reserving the right to contest at
    sentencing the drug quantity attributable to her on the conspiracy charge. At
    sentencing, three co-defendants testified Mitchell’s actions in the conspiracy
    involved over five kilograms of cocaine. The government also introduced the
    trial testimony of the confidential informant, who said she purchased cocaine
    from Mitchell three times and those purchases involved a total of less than five
    kilograms of cocaine. Mitchell neither testified nor produced other evidence to
    rebut the government’s evidence. Instead, she argued the three sales to the
    confidential informant constituted the only sufficiently reliable evidence of drug
    quantity. Holding Mitchell’s silence against her, the district court credited the
    testimony of the three co-defendants which mandated a minimum sentence of ten
    -10-
    years imprisonment. The Third Circuit affirmed, concluding Mitchell had waived
    her Fifth Amendment privilege by pleading guilty. 
    Id. at 320
    . The Supreme
    Court reversed. It held Mitchell retained her Fifth Amendment privilege at
    sentencing despite her guilty plea. In so holding, the Court rejected “the idea that
    the entry of the guilty plea completes the incrimination of the defendant, thus
    extinguishing the privilege.” 
    Id. at 325
    . It reasoned:
    It is true, as a general rule, that where there can be no further
    incrimination, there is no basis for the assertion of the privilege. We
    conclude that principle applies to cases in which the sentence has
    been fixed and the judgment of conviction has become final. If no
    adverse consequences can be visited upon the convicted person by
    reason of further testimony, then there is no further incrimination to
    be feared.
    Where the sentence has not yet been imposed a defendant may have a
    legitimate fear of adverse consequences from further testimony.
    
    Id. at 326
     (citation omitted).
    Similarly, in Rivas-Macias, co-defendant Jimenez invoked his Fifth
    Amendment privilege at Rivas-Macias’ trial. Rivas-Macias claimed the privilege
    was not available because Jimenez had already pled guilty and given several
    unsworn debriefing statements to the government. We concluded Rivas-Macias
    had failed to show Jimenez’s testimony at trial would not have had any tendency
    to further incriminate him. 
    537 F.3d at 1279
    . Relying on Mitchell, we
    determined that because Jimenez had yet to be sentenced, he faced an authentic
    danger of further incriminating himself. 
    Id.
     We further concluded Jimenez had
    -11-
    not waived his Fifth Amendment privilege by providing the unsworn debriefing
    statements because those statements were not made in the same proceeding in
    which Rivas-Macias sought to compel Jimenez to testify, i.e., Rivas-Macias’ trial.
    
    Id. at 1280
    .
    Here, even though Armstrong made incriminating statements in his
    affidavit and videotape statement, he has not yet been prosecuted, convicted or
    sentenced based on those statements. Therefore, the mere fact he made the
    statements does not eliminate the possibility that his testimony at trial would tend
    to further incriminate him. For instance, while he admitted he owned the cocaine
    found at the residence, testimony concerning other aspects of the offense,
    including the amount of cocaine, the extent of his involvement in its distribution
    and whether other individuals were involved, could have exposed Armstrong to
    more serious charges and greater penalties. 2 Nor did Armstrong waive his Fifth
    Amendment privilege by signing the affidavit and making the videotape
    statement. These statements did not occur during the same proceeding in which
    Jackson sought to compel Armstrong to testify, i.e., Jackson’s trial. 
    Id. at 1280
    (“A witness’ testimonial waiver of the privilege is only effective . . . if it occurs
    in the same proceeding in which a party desires to compel the witness to
    2
    And testimony concerning these other issues would have been required once
    Armstrong chose to testify. See Mitchell, 
    526 U.S. at 321
     (“It is well established that a
    witness, in a single proceeding, may not testify voluntarily about a subject and then
    invoke the privilege against self-incrimination when questioned about the details.”).
    -12-
    testify.”).
    The court properly allowed Armstrong to invoke his Fifth Amendment
    privilege.
    2. Government Interference
    The government violates a defendant’s right to due process if it
    substantially interferes with a defense witness’ decision whether to testify.
    Serrano, 
    406 F.3d at 1215
    . Whether a due process violation has occurred must be
    decided on a case-by-case basis. 
    Id. at 1216
    . “The dispositive question . . . is
    whether the government actor’s interference with a witness’s decision to testify
    was substantial.” 
    Id.
     (quotations omitted). “Interference is substantial when the
    government actor actively discourages a witness from testifying through threats of
    prosecution, intimidation, or coercive badgering.” 
    Id.
     However, “[t]he potential
    for unconstitutional coercion . . . significantly diminishes . . . if a defendant’s
    witness elects not to testify after consulting an independent attorney.” 
    Id.
    Here, Jackson concedes the district court could warn Armstrong about the
    consequences of testifying. Nevertheless, he asserts the agents’ comments to
    Armstrong that his testimony could result in a jail sentence, combined with the
    four agents’ threats to leave with Armstrong or the truth, substantially interfered
    with Armstrong's decision whether to testify. The district court was not
    persuaded; neither are we.
    As conceded, a court has the discretion to admonish a witness about the
    -13-
    possibility of self-incrimination. See United States v. Smith, 
    997 F.2d 674
    , 680
    (10th Cir. 1993). A due process violation occurs only if the court’s admonition is
    threatening or employs coercive language or if the court actively encourages or
    badgers a witness not to testify. Webb v. Texas, 
    409 U.S. 95
    , 97-98 (1972);
    Smith, 
    997 F.2d at 680
    . The admonition in this case did none of those things.
    Rather, it informed Armstrong of his right not to testify and of the potential
    consequences he faced. Moreover, the court expressly told Armstrong its intent
    in giving the admonition was not to influence his decision whether to testify.
    The agents who interviewed Armstrong also did not substantially interfere
    with his decision whether to testify. The agents allegedly told Armstrong they
    were either leaving with Armstrong (i.e., arresting him) or the truth (i.e., a
    statement that the drugs did not belong to Armstrong). Assuming this statement
    was in fact made, it occurred over six months before Armstrong decided to invoke
    his Fifth Amendment privilege. Due to this significant lapse of time, it is
    unlikely Armstrong’s decision not to testify was the product of the agents’
    conduct. And, more important, Armstrong did not invoke his Fifth Amendment
    privilege until after conferring with independent counsel. His decision not to
    testify was “insulated from . . . governmental [coercion] by the independent and
    neutral advice of counsel.” Serrano, 
    406 F.3d at 1216
    . Even considering the
    possible cumulative effect of the court’s admonition and the agents’ alleged
    statements, we see no due process violation in light of the insulating quality of
    -14-
    consultation with independent counsel.
    B. Rules 804(b)(3) and 807
    Assuming Armstrong’s invocation of his Fifth Amendment privilege was
    proper, Jackson contends the district court erred in prohibiting him from
    introducing into evidence Armstrong’s affidavit and videotape statement. He
    claims these items, although hearsay, were admissible under Rules 804(b)(3) and
    807 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
    “The district court has broad discretion in determining the admissibility of
    evidence. We therefore review a district court’s decision to exclude evidence for
    abuse of discretion.” 3 United States v. Solomon, 
    399 F.3d 1231
    , 1239 (10th Cir.
    2005) (citation omitted). The affidavit and videotape statement are hearsay. The
    question is whether they were admissible under an exception to the hearsay
    rule-in this case, Rule 804(b)(3) or Rule 807.
    1. Rule 804(b)(3)
    Rule 804(b)(3) provides that statements against interest “are not excluded
    3
    Jackson claims we should review the court’s exclusion of the affidavit and
    videotape statement de novo because their exclusion affected his constitutional right to
    present a defense. He is mistaken. See United States v. Adams, 
    271 F.3d 1236
    , 1243
    (10th Cir. 2001) (rejecting defendant’s argument that we should review de novo rather
    than for an abuse of discretion the exclusion of evidence because it precluded his theory
    of defense, thereby violating his right to a fair trial and due process; “[the defendant]
    confuses a fundamental right, the right to present a theory of defense, with one that is not
    fundamental, the right to present that theory in whatever manner and with whatever
    evidence he chooses.”)
    -15-
    by the hearsay rule if the declarant is unavailable as a witness.” A statement
    against interest is:
    A statement which was at the time of its making so far contrary to
    the declarant's pecuniary or proprietary interest, or so far tended to
    subject the declarant to civil or criminal liability, or to render invalid
    a claim by the declarant against another, that a reasonable person in
    the declarant's position would not have made the statement unless
    believing it to be true. A statement tending to expose the declarant
    to criminal liability and offered to exculpate the accused is not
    admissible unless corroborating circumstances clearly indicate the
    trustworthiness of the statement.
    Fed. R. Evid. 804 (b)(3) (emphasis added).
    “A defendant seeking to admit hearsay evidence under Rule 804(b)(3) to
    exculpate himself must show (1) an unavailable declarant; (2) a statement against
    penal interest; and (3) sufficient corroboration to indicate the trustworthiness of
    the statement.” United States v. Spring, 
    80 F.3d 1450
    , 1460 (10th Cir. 1996)
    (quotations omitted). The government concedes Jackson has established the first
    two factors-Armstrong was “unavailable” when he properly invoked his Fifth
    Amendment privilege, see Fed. R. Evid. 804(a)(1); see also United States v.
    Chalan, 
    812 F.2d 1302
    , 1311 (10th Cir. 1987), and his statements that the cocaine
    belonged to him are clearly against his penal interest. The only question is
    whether Jackson provided sufficient corroboration of the trustworthiness of
    Armstrong’s statements.
    The district court concluded there was insufficient corroboration of
    trustworthiness. It considered the close relationship between Armstrong and
    -16-
    Jackson which provided a reason for Armstrong to help Jackson by claiming the
    drugs were his. See United States v. Porter, 
    881 F.2d 878
    , 883 (10th Cir. 1989)
    (considering close relationship between defendant and declarant in determining
    court did not abuse its discretion in concluding there was insufficient
    corroboration of trustworthiness). The court also considered the vagueness of
    Armstrong’s on again, off again statements. Other than indicating the cocaine
    found in the home belonged to him, Armstrong did not identify the amount of
    cocaine, where it was located, how it was packaged or how it got to the house.
    Therefore, there was no way for the court to determine from Armstrong’s
    statements whether the cocaine claimed by Armstrong was the same cocaine
    leading to the charges against Jackson. See Spring, 
    80 F.3d at 1461
     (considering
    vagueness of declarant’s statement concerning his involvement in robbery as
    indicative of its untrustworthiness). The court’s decision to exclude Armstrong’s
    statements was well within its discretion. See 
    id.
     (“The determination of the
    sufficiency of . . . corroborating evidence lies within the sound discretion of the
    trial court, which is aptly situated to weigh the reliability of the circumstances
    surrounding the declaration.”) (quotations omitted).
    Jackson complains the court did not consider several facts: Armstrong was
    under oath when he made the statements; he was consistent when not threatened
    with arrest; he said he knew the search was conducted at the 208 South Douglas
    residence and both hard and cut up cocaine were found; and, finally, Jackson’s
    -17-
    girlfriend said Armstrong was staying at the residence. He claims these facts
    sufficiently corroborate Armstrong’s statements. Like the district court, we
    disagree.
    While Armstrong’s affidavit was allegedly made under oath, he was not
    under oath when he made the videotape statement. Armstrong also recanted his
    statement that the cocaine found in the 208 South Douglas residence belonged to
    him during his interview with the government agents. Although Jackson claims
    the recantation was the result of the agents threatening Armstrong with immediate
    arrest, the recantation really indicates Armstrong’s willingness to say the drugs
    were his until faced with consequences. Armstrong’s knowledge of the locus of
    the search, the 208 South Douglas residence, and the drugs found-both hard and
    cut up cocaine-does not corroborate his statement of ownership. Indeed, the latter
    statement, which was made on the videotape, contradicted his affidavit in which
    he averred both powder and crack cocaine were found in the residence, which in
    turn contradicted the evidence showing that only crack cocaine was found.
    At trial Jackson’s girlfriend testified Armstrong had stayed at the 208 South
    Douglas residence but her testimony does not sufficiently corroborate
    Armstrong’s claimed ownership of the drugs found therein. This is especially
    true in light of the fact that items belonging to Jackson (photographs and mail)
    were discovered inside the residence and Jackson was at the residence when the
    cocaine was discovered. Jackson also told the probation department he often
    -18-
    stayed with his girlfriend at 208 South Douglas, listed that address on his driver’s
    license, and between 1996 and 2006, provided that address to the police when
    stopped for traffic infractions.
    The court did not abuse its discretion in concluding Armstrong’s affidavit
    and videotape statement were not admissible under Rule 403(b)(3).
    2. Rule 807
    Rule 807, referred to as the residual hearsay exception, provides in relevant
    part:
    A statement not specifically covered by Rule 803 or 804 but having
    equivalent circumstantial guarantees of trustworthiness, is not
    excluded by the hearsay rule, if the court determines that (A) the
    statement is offered as evidence of a material fact; (B) the statement
    is more probative on the point for which it is offered than any other
    evidence which the proponent can procure through reasonable
    efforts; and (C) the general purposes of these rules and the interests
    of justice will best be served by admission of the statement into
    evidence.
    Rule 807 should be used rarely and only in exceptional circumstances
    because to do otherwise would allow the exception to swallow the hearsay rule.
    United States v. Tome, 
    61 F.3d 1446
    , 1452 (10th Cir. 1993). Exceptional
    circumstances exist “where the court is satisfied that the evidence offers
    guarantees of trustworthiness and is material, probative and necessary in the
    interest of justice.” 
    Id.
     (quotations omitted). “Accordingly, the party offering the
    evidence bears a heavy burden of presenting the trial court with sufficient indicia
    of trustworthiness to trigger application of [the rule].” United States v. Trujillo,
    -19-
    
    136 F.3d 1388
    , 1396 (10th Cir. 1998). 4
    Relying on its Rule 804(b)(3) analysis, the district court determined
    Armstrong’s statements lacked sufficient corroboration to be admissible under
    Rule 807. It also concluded Armstrong’s statements were neither probative nor
    their admission essential to the interests of justice because they did not
    necessarily exculpate Jackson. Armstrong’s ownership of the crack cocaine does
    not necessarily bear on whether Jackson knowingly possessed it with intent to
    distribute.
    Admitting Armstrong’s questionably reliable evidence without adversarial
    testing is a sobering prospect, requiring exacting care. We find no abuse of
    discretion. As stated above, Armstrong’s statements lacked sufficient guarantees
    of trustworthiness. And the statements, while clearly implicating Armstrong, did
    not necessarily exculpate Jackson. In addition, Jackson was charged with aiding
    and abetting. Therefore, even assuming it was Armstrong not Jackson who
    possessed the cocaine with intent to distribute, Jackson could still be convicted of
    aiding and abetting Armstrong. In fact, over Jackson’s objection, the court
    included an aiding and abetting jury instruction because there was sufficient
    evidence for a jury to find that even if Jackson himself did not possess the
    4
    Tome and Trujillo involved Rules 803(24) and 804(b)(5) of the Federal Rules of
    Evidence which were combined and transferred to Rule 807 in 1997. See Fed. R. Evid.
    807 1997 advisory committee’s notes. Therefore, we consider these cases relevant to the
    Rule 807 analysis.
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    cocaine with intent to distribute, he aided and abetted that conduct by hiding the
    cocaine when the officers arrived at the house. See United States v. Perez, 
    963 F.2d 314
    , 316 (10th Cir. 1992).
    AFFIRMED.
    Entered by the Court:
    Terrence L. O’Brien
    United States Circuit Judge
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