United States v. Dennis Porter ( 2013 )

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION
File Name: 13a0014n.06
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT
FILED
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) Jan 07, 2013
) DEBORAH S. HUNT, Clerk
Plaintiff-Appellee, )
)
v. )
) ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED
ALISTAIR RUFUS MCGEE, (11-1126) ) STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
DENNIS CHARLES PORTER, (11-1144) ) THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF
) MICHIGAN
Defendants-Appellants. )
Before: BATCHELDER, Chief Judge; GIBBONS, Circuit Judge; and ROSENTHAL, District
Judge*.
JULIA SMITH GIBBONS, Circuit Judge. This case arises out of a police sting operation
which resulted in defendants-appellants’ convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to
distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1).
Defendant-appellant Alistair Rufus McGee went to trial and was convicted by a jury. He was
sentenced to 204 months of imprisonment. Defendant-appellant Dennis Charles Porter pled guilty
and was sentenced to 210 months of imprisonment. Both appeal their convictions and sentences.
For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
*
The Honorable Lee H. Rosenthal, United States District Judge for the Southern District of
Texas, sitting by designation.
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United States v. McGee & Porter
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
I.
The investigation in this case began in January 2010, when a confidential informant, “Nop,”
told ATF Agent Joseph Nether about an armed home-invasion crew. Nop introduced Nether,
working undercover and posing as a drug courier for a large narcotics organization, to Porter, a
member of the group with whom Nop had previously committed these armed robberies. On January
19, 2010, Nether told Porter that he wanted the Mexican cartel for which he worked to be “hit”
because it paid him too little for his courier services and refused to compensate him properly for the
dangerousness of his job. Nether mentioned that a typical shipment would include more than thirty
kilograms of cocaine and that there were always at least two armed people guarding the drug house.
When Nether asked if Porter would be interested in the job, Porter responded, “That’s what we do.
That’s what we do. We do it all the time.” Nether explained to Porter that the cartel used a different
house for each delivery and that once he learned the location of the stash house, the crew would have
to rob it within a couple of hours, before the cocaine was sent out with couriers.
On January 28, 2010, Nop telephoned Porter and arranged for Nop, Porter, and Nether to
meet at a local restaurant to discuss the robbery plans. Nether told Porter that he anticipated the
arrival of thirty to forty kilograms of cocaine around February 1. On February 1, Nop called Porter
to let him know that the robbery would occur the next day and to arrange a meeting of the crew at
the restaurant on the day of the robbery. Porter told Nop that he would bring McGee and another
individual, later revealed to be Howard Barkley, as part of the crew.
When Nether arrived at the restaurant, Porter, McGee, and Nop were already there. They
reviewed the plans for the robbery. McGee told Nether, “I’m following lead baby, I’m wit ya’ll,
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United States v. McGee & Porter
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whatever ya’ll, I’m rollin.” Later, the last member of the team, Barkley, arrived at the meeting.
McGee had recruited Barkley to participate in the robbery as the driver. Porter then dismissed the
crew with instructions to retrieve the guns that they would carry for the robbery and reconvene at a
local liquor store. Barkley went with McGee to McGee’s house, where McGee retrieved an assault
rifle. The crew members reassembled at the liquor store and continued on to the storage facility
where Nether indicated the robbery would take place. Nop, Nether, Porter, and Barkley all entered
through the gate, but McGee did not follow. He claimed that the gate had closed too quickly, so
Nether gave him the gate code over the telephone. At that point, officers announced themselves and
arrested Porter, Nop, and Barkley. McGee escaped, but was later arrested.
After the arrests, officers received information that there were firearms at Porter’s mother’s
residence. Upon a search of her home, officers discovered a Ruger Mini-14 .223 caliber rifle, a 12-
gauge Mossberg shotgun, a 20-gauge Springfield shotgun, and a .40 caliber HMK handgun. Two
of the firearms had recently been stolen from McGee’s neighbor in a home invasion that McGee had
arranged for Porter and other crew members to commit.
McGee pled not guilty and went to trial on October 5-6, 2010. On the morning of trial,
McGee’s counsel moved to exclude testimony relating to the uncharged home invasion robbery
under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b), asserting that it would be more prejudicial than probative
if admitted. The district court denied McGee’s motion, agreeing with the government that the
uncharged robbery was within the charged conspiracy because a gun found in Barkley’s home
following his arrest was stolen in the course of that robbery, and because the two robberies involved
the same group acting together on two consecutive days. McGee’s counsel did not move for
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United States v. McGee & Porter
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
acquittal at the close of the government’s case or at the end of all of the evidence. At the conclusion
of the trial, the jury convicted McGee of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five
kilograms or more of cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1). McGee was sentenced
to 204 months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release.
During an interview, ATF Agent Jerrod A. Marsh told Porter that agents had found guns and
drugs at Porter’s mother’s house and that Porter’s mother could be arrested if Porter did not confess.
Subsequent to that statement, Porter waived his Miranda rights and confessed. Porter moved to
suppress his statement on the basis that it was involuntary, but the district court denied the motion.
Porter later pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of
cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1). The district court sentenced Porter to 210
months of imprisonment and five years of supervised release, applying the sentencing enhancements
in U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1) and U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c)(3).
II.
McGee and Porter each challenge their convictions and sentences on appeal. We address
their arguments in turn, beginning with those presented by McGee.
A.
McGee appeals his conviction and sentence on the basis that (1) the district court improperly
admitted testimony that referenced McGee’s commission of an earlier, uncharged robbery; (2) the
government presented insufficient evidence to sustain his conviction; (3) McGee’s trial counsel was
ineffective for failing to timely object to the prior robbery evidence and for failing to move for
acquittal; and (4) the district’s court’s sentence was substantively unreasonable.
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United States v. McGee & Porter
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
1.
McGee argues that the district court erred in allowing the government to present evidence
regarding a prior, uncharged robbery of firearms arranged by McGee and committed by Porter and
other members of their crew. He claims that the district court erroneously failed to analyze the
uncharged robbery evidence pursuant to Rule 404(b) before admitting it. Rule 404(b) requires a
district court to evaluate whether there was sufficient evidence that the prior conduct occurred,
whether the evidence of that act was probative of a material issue other than character, and whether
the probative value of the evidence was substantially outweighed by its potential for prejudice. See
United States v. Jenkins, 345 F.3d 928, 937 (6th Cir. 2003).
The district court’s decision to admit evidence is reviewed for abuse of discretion. United
States v. Davis, 514 F.3d 596, 611 (6th Cir. 2008). Rule 404(b) precludes the admission of extrinsic
evidence of prior bad acts to prove the defendant’s criminal propensity. However, Rule 404(b) is
not implicated when evidence of prior acts is “part of a continuing pattern of illegal activity” or is
“inextricably intertwined” with the indicted crime. United States v. Barnes, 49 F.3d 1144, 1149 (6th
Cir. 1995). Here, the admitted evidence was part and parcel of the charged conspiracy because it
showed that the government informant, Nop, knew Porter through their participation in prior armed
robberies together. It is clear that the way the defendants planned to commit the sting robbery was
based on using the firearms they had stolen in the prior, uncharged robbery. The evidence showed
that the prior, uncharged robbery provided the firearms that were involved in the conspiracy to
commit the planned robbery. Therefore, the evidence is intrinsic, not extrinsic, to the charged
conspiracy, and Rule 404(b) analysis was not required.
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United States v. McGee & Porter
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
McGee notes that the district court initially excluded the evidence and changed its ruling after
further argument from both parties. However, McGee has not demonstrated that any improper
consideration caused the district court to change its view, and its evidentiary ruling was not an abuse
of discretion.
2.
McGee next argues that the government produced insufficient evidence to support his
conviction for conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute. Specifically, McGee claims
that the government failed to present evidence that McGee talked with Nether, that anyone ever saw
McGee with a gun on the date of the planned robbery, or that McGee ever entered the storage facility
where the arrests were made.
In reviewing a claim of insufficient evidence, we usually ask whether “‘any rational trier of
fact could find the elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt’ . . . ‘view[ing] the evidence in
the light most favorable to the prosecution.’” United States v. White, 492 F.3d 380, 393 (6th Cir.
2007) (quoting United States v. M/G Transp. Servs., Inc., 173 F.3d 584, 589 (6th Cir. 1999)). But
because McGee’s counsel did not make a motion for acquittal, we review the trial record to
determine if a “manifest miscarriage of justice” occurred. United States v. Mack, 159 F.3d 208, 216
(6th Cir. 1998) (quoting United States v. Williams, 940 F.2d 176, 180 (6th Cir. 1991)). A “manifest
miscarriage of justice” occurs “‘only if the record is devoid of evidence pointing to guilt.’” United
States v. Walden, 625 F.3d 961, 967-68 (6th Cir. 2010) (quoting United States v. Price, 134 F.3d
340, 350 (6th Cir. 1998)).
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To sustain a conviction for conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846, the government must prove:
(1) an agreement to violate drug laws; (2) knowledge and intent to join the conspiracy; and (3)
participation in the conspiracy. United States v. Deitz, 577 F.3d 672, 677 (6th Cir. 2009). In
McGee’s trial, the government presented evidence that in his conversation with Nether McGee
agreed to violate drug laws. Further, McGee demonstrated his knowledge and intent to join the
conspiracy when he told Nether, “I’m following lead baby, I’m wit ya’ll, whatever ya’ll, I’m rollin.”
McGee also recruited Barkley to join the robbery, and Barkley saw McGee with an assault rifle on
the day of the planned robbery. Although McGee argues that his driving away from the robbery
constituted a withdrawal and repudiation of the conspiracy, this action is a “‘mere cessation’” of his
criminal activity, and is not sufficient to demonstrate an affirmative withdrawal. See United States
v. Cox, 565 F.3d 1013, 1016 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting United States v. Lash, 937 F.2d 1077, 1083
(6th Cir. 1991)). Therefore, the government produced evidence of McGee’s agreement, knowledge,
intent, and participation. McGee has failed to demonstrate that his trial represented a “manifest
miscarriage of justice” and we find that sufficient evidence supports McGee’s conviction.
3.
McGee argues that he was prejudiced by his counsel’s failure to timely object to evidence
of the prior robbery and to move for acquittal at the end of the government’s case and at the end of
all of the evidence. He cites the delay in objecting to the prior robbery evidence as motivating the
district court’s change of ruling from excluding it to allowing it. He claims that the district court
would likely have granted counsel’s motion for acquittal had it been made.
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United States v. McGee & Porter
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
We do not ordinarily entertain ineffective assistance of counsel claims on direct review. See
United States v. Walden, 625 F.3d 961, 967 (6th Cir. 2010) (citing Massaro v. United States, 538
U.S. 500, 504-05 (2003); United States v. Lewis, 605 F.3d 395, 400 (6th Cir. 2010)). Given that
there is no factual development in the record regarding counsel’s reasoning or trial strategy, we
adhere to this principle and reserve consideration of this issue for review on a full record, should
McGee choose to pursue his claims on collateral review.
4.
McGee also challenges his sentence as substantively unreasonable because the district court
gave “an unreasonable amount of weight to . . . McGee’s . . . offense level.” We review criminal
sentences for abuse of discretion. United States v. Moon, 513 F.3d 527, 539 (6th Cir. 2008). If the
sentence falls within the advisory Guidelines range, we apply a presumption of reasonableness. Gall
v. United States, 552 U.S. 38, 46-47 (2007); United States v. Anderson, 695 F.3d 390, 402 (6th Cir.
2012). A sentence may be substantively unreasonable if the district court gives “an unreasonable
amount of weight to any pertinent factor.” United States v. Webb, 403 F.3d 373, 385 (6th Cir. 2005).
McGee received a sentence of 204 months of imprisonment. In addressing the § 3553(a)
factors prior to imposing sentence, the district court noted the seriousness of armed robbery
involving drugs, the need for general and specific deterrence, McGee’s prior record, his work history,
his age, and his health. McGee does not argue that the district court incorrectly calculated the
advisory Guidelines range or that it failed to consider the § 3553(a) factors. He argues only that the
district court gave undue weight to the seriousness of the offense. However, McGee has failed to
overcome the presumption of reasonableness that attaches to his within-Guidelines sentence. There
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is no evidence in the record that the district court considered the seriousness of the offense to the
exclusion of other factors or that it gave undue weight to that aspect of the sentencing analysis—as
noted above, the district court considered several factors and sentenced McGee below the midpoint
of his Guidelines range. Rather, McGee’s argument amounts to a complaint that he would have
preferred for the district court to have “performed this balancing differently.” See United States v.
Solinger, 464 F. App’x 485, 491-92 (6th Cir. 2012). As we have noted previously, “[t]he fact that
the district court did not give the defendant the exact sentence he sought is not a cognizable basis
to appeal, particularly where the district court followed the mandate of section 3553(a) in all relevant
respects.” United States v. Trejo-Martinez, 481 F.3d 409, 413 (6th Cir. 2007). Because the
sentencing court followed the § 3553(a) factors and sentenced McGee to a presumptively reasonable
sentence within his applicable Guidelines range, which is uncontested by either party, we hold that
McGee’s sentence was not substantively unreasonable.
B.
We now turn our attention to Porter’s claims. Porter appeals his conviction and sentence on
the basis that (1) the district court improperly denied his motion to suppress his confession as
coerced; (2) the district court improperly applied an increased Sentencing Guidelines range for
possessing a firearm; and (3) the district court improperly applied an increased Sentencing
Guidelines range for a quantity of cocaine that was not confirmed as being involved in the offense.
1.
Porter claims that the district court erred in denying his motion to suppress his statement to
police on the ground that it was involuntarily made. We cannot entertain this claim because Porter
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pled guilty without reserving the right to appeal the district court’s ruling on his suppression motion.
“[A] guilty pleading defendant may not appeal an adverse pre-plea ruling on a suppression of
evidence motion unless he has preserved the right to do so by entering a conditional plea of guilty
in compliance with Fed. R. Crim. P. 11(a)(2).” United States v. Herrera, 265 F.3d 349, 351 (6th Cir.
2001). Porter relies heavily on United States v. Finch, 998 F.2d 349 (6th Cir. 1993), for the principle
that defendants who plead guilty may still challenge pre-plea denials of suppression motions. That
case is inapposite here, as the defendant in Finch entered a conditional plea of guilty, expressly
reserving the right to appeal the denial of his motion to suppress. Finch, 998 F.2d at 351. Because
Porter entered a plea without conditions, he is foreclosed from raising this issue on appeal.
2.
Porter also challenges the district court’s application, over his objection, of the sentencing
enhancement pursuant to U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(b)(1). The district court’s application of the Guidelines
to the facts in Porter’s case is subject to de novo review. See United States v. Benson, 591 F.3d 491,
504 (6th Cir. 2010). The sentencing enhancement is properly applied if the government has shown,
by a preponderance of the evidence, that the defendant “actually or constructively ‘possessed’” a
weapon during the commission of the offense. United States v. Johnson, 344 F.3d 562, 565 (6th Cir.
2003) (quoting United States v. Pruitt, 156 F.3d 638, 649 (6th Cir. 1998)). Because Porter pled
guilty to a two-week conspiracy, he is also responsible for the reasonably foreseeable possession of
guns by his co-conspirators during that period. See id.
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Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
Officers found guns at Porter’s mother’s house. Porter told Nop that he and others had
recently committed an armed home invasion and had stolen many guns. He also told Nop that he
would be bringing a gun to the planned robbery and implied that he had many from which to choose:
PORTER: . . . That’s when I’m coming up out that bathroom blasting, I’m blasting,
I’m smoking.
CW: Oh shit, what you umm, you got
PORTER: Huh?
CW: You gonna have uhh revolver or uhh
PORTER: Dawg, I got me a commando. It doesn’t matter, I got so many now
These conversations contribute to the government’s showing, by a preponderance of the evidence,
that Porter actually or constructively possessed a weapon during the period of the charged
conspiracy.
Porter also directed his crew to retrieve guns to use in the planned robbery. On the day of
the robbery, Porter announced that the crew had not brought guns (“heaters”) because each of them
would retrieve them at their nearby homes and return quickly to commit the robbery. Barkley
testified that McGee then went to his house and returned with an assault rifle. Because Porter
directed the others to get their guns, McGee’s subsequent possession of a gun was reasonably
foreseeable to Porter.
Porter could have overcome the application of the enhancement if he had presented sufficient
evidence that “it [wa]s clearly improbable that the weapon [supporting the application of the
enhancement] was connected with the offense.” U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2D1.1, cmt.
n.3 (2010); Johnson, 344 F.3d at 567. He presented no such evidence. Because the government met
its burden to prove the application of the enhancement by a preponderance of the evidence and
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United States v. McGee & Porter
Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
because Porter failed to produce any evidence that it was “clearly improbable” that any of the
relevant weapons were connected to the conspiracy, we affirm the district court’s application of the
§ 2D1.1(b)(1) enhancement.
3.
Porter’s final challenge to his conviction and sentence is that the district court erred in
applying the drug quantity enhancement of U.S.S.G. § 2D1.1(c)(3). Application of the enhancement
requires a district court’s finding of fact regarding the quantity of drugs involved in an offense,
which is reviewed for clear error. United States v. Jones, 102 F.3d 804, 809 (6th Cir. 1996). In this
case, the district court noted at Porter’s sentencing hearing that the undercover agents suggested that
the robbery would involve approximately thirty kilograms of cocaine and that “[Porter] bought into
that quantity . . . [A]s far as the intent of [Porter], it was based on what the agent said, and the agent
said that 30 was the number.” The district court reasoned that “it’s after the disclosure of 30 that
[Porter] agreed to get involved in this transaction.”
Porter argues that the undercover agents committed “sentencing entrapment” or “sentencing
factor manipulation” when they indicated to him that thirty kilograms of cocaine would be involved
in the robbery. We have declined to recognize the defenses of sentencing entrapment or sentence
manipulation in other cases and do so again here. See United States v. Guest, 564 F.3d 777, 781 (6th
Cir. 2009); United States v. Gardner, 488 F.3d 700, 716-17 (6th Cir. 2007) (collecting cases). As
Porter does not challenge his personal responsibility for the conduct leading to his conviction, and
his asserted defenses are unavailable to him here, we affirm the district court’s application of the
§ 2D1.1(c)(3) enhancement.
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Nos. 11-1126, 11-1144
III.
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm McGee and Porter’s convictions and sentences.
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