Com. v. Muhammad, H. ( 2016 )

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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
v. :
:
HAKIM MUHAMMAD, :
:
Appellant : No. 955 EDA 2015
Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence January 23, 2015
in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County,
Criminal Division, No(s): CP-23-CR-00000274-2014
BEFORE: FORD ELLIOTT, P.J.E., STABILE and MUSMANNO, JJ.
MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.: FILED JULY 28, 2016
Hakim Muhammad (“Muhammad”) appeals from the judgment of
sentence imposed following his conviction of two counts each of possession
of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled
substance (“PWID”), and possession of a firearm prohibited (“PFP”). 1 We
affirm.
Detective Michael Honicker (“Detective Honicker”) of the Criminal
Investigation Unit of Delaware County testified that, in November of 2013,
he began investigating Muhammad through a confidential informant (“CI”).
N.T., 12/3/14, at 71. Detective Honicker, a 30-year veteran of the Narcotics
Unit, and the CI conducted controlled buys of cocaine from 1410 Morton
Avenue, Chester, Pennsylvania (“the residence”). Id. at 66, 71.
1
35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16), (30); 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105(a)(1).
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During the first controlled buy, in early November 2013, the CI was
searched and provided with a quantity of money for buying drugs. Id. at
72-73. Detective Honicker followed the CI in his own vehicle to ensure that
the CI did not make any extra stops along the way. Id. at 73. Detective
Honicker was able to observe the residence from the rear of an auto shop
across the street, roughly 50 yards away. Id. at 79. Using a pair of
binoculars, Detective Honicker was able to observe the CI enter the
residence after Muhammad answered the door and allowed him inside. Id.
at 74, 80. After a “few minutes,” the CI exited the residence and eventually
met with Detective Honicker at a predetermined location, where the CI
handed over what was determined, by field test, to be cocaine. Id. at 75-
76. Over roughly the next month, Detective Honicker and the CI conducted
three (3) more controlled buys of cocaine at the residence. Id. at 76-80.
Each time, Muhammad opened the front door and allowed the CI inside,
where the CI remained for several minutes before returning to Detective
Honicker with substances that field-tested as cocaine. Id.
Based on the completed purchases, Detective Honicker obtained a
search warrant for the residence. Id. at 83. When executing the search
warrant, police entered through the front door and made their way to the
living room, where they found Muhammad’s father, Ricky Brightwell
(“Brightwell”), asleep. Id. at 84. Police also found a black bag containing
bagging material for both cocaine and marijuana, Inositol (a “cutting agent”
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used to increase the quantity of cocaine for street sale), Acetone (used for
“re-rocking”2 cocaine), a digital scale, and a small bag of marijuana. Id. at
88-91. Police found a similar black bag under the kitchen sink, which
contained 36 small bags of marijuana packaged for street sale, some larger
bags of marijuana, and bagging material used for cocaine. Id. at 94, 96-97.
Police found Muhammad asleep in an upstairs room. Id. 100-01.
Police also found ammunition,3 unused bagging material, two pill bottles with
Muhammad’s name on the labels, and mail addressed to Muhammad at the
residence. Id. at 101-08.4 Police also found four Pennsylvania driver’s
licenses displaying Muhammad’s name and picture, as well as four casino
identification cards in Muhammad’s name. Id. at 108-09.
2
Detective Honicker described re-rocking as a “procedure where [drug
dealers] take cutting agent and ... cocaine and they’ll ... put it in a blender
... and spritz it with ... Acetone. It gives it the metallic smell and also you
compress it. When you compress it, it dries, hardens, and then you can just
break it off and you can put it in these bags, weigh it up, put it in the bags,
and you can tell people this is right off of the block of cocaine where, in
reality, it’s not.” N.T., 12/3/14, at 90.
3
Police found boxes of ammunition containing 9 mm., .40 and .45-caliber
rounds, as well as a number of 12-gauge shotgun shells. N.T., 12/3/14, at
102-05.
4
Detective Honicker initially testified that police found a bottle of Inositol in
Muhammad’s supposed bedroom. N.T., 12/3/14, at 197. However, on
cross-examination, Detective Honicker agreed that the inventory sheet that
he filled out did not list Inositol as an item found in the bedroom. Id.
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In the basement, the police found a duffel bag containing cocaine,
bagging material, Inositol, three firearms,5 identification for Brightwell, a ski
mask, and a Quran. Id. at 112-18. Muhammad indicated to Detective
Honicker that he possessed everything in the basement. Id. at 121. Police
also found a leather jacket containing $1,350 in currency, which Muhammad
identified as his. Id. at 120-121. Detective Honicker asked Muhammad
how much currency was in the jacket, and Muhammad correctly identified
the amount. Id.
Detective Louis Grandizio, an expert witness in the field of firearms
and firearm identification, testified that the shotgun shells recovered from
the room where Muhammad was found would work with the shotgun found
in the basement. Id. at 243, 252.
Detective Kenneth C. Rutherford, Jr. (“Detective Rutherford”), of the
Delaware County Narcotics Task Force, testified that the drug paraphernalia
found throughout the house (unused bags, Inositol, Acetone, and a digital
scale) was consistent with drug trafficking rather than personal use. Id. at
270-75. Detective Rutherford also indicated that the firearms found in the
basement are indicative of drug trafficking, as traffickers often use firearms
for protection of themselves and their products. Id. at 281. Detective
5
Police found a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun with a pistol grip, a Browning
.357 rifle with “obliterated” serial numbers, and a Smith & Wesson .40-
caliber semi-automatic pistol with accompanying magazines. N.T., 12/3/14,
at 114-116.
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Rutherford also noted that it is common for family members to work
together in the drug trafficking business. Id. at 282-83.
Muhammad presented testimony from his grandmother, Margo Valerie
Anderson (“Anderson”), who stated that Muhammad had lived with her at
1616 West Third Street in Chester since 2010. Id. at 301-02. Anderson
noted that, while Muhammad’s identification cards were found at the
residence, a number of the cards listed her address on them. Id. at 309-12.
The mother of Muhammad’s children, Ayesha Brown (“Brown”),
testified that, at the time of Muhammad’s arrest, she lived at the residence
with her three children and Brightwell. Id. at 316-17. According to Brown,
Brightwell frequently utilized the basement to store his “things.” Id. at 322.
Brown stated that Muhammad did not stay at the residence or keep any
clothing there. Id. at 328. Brown also testified that at the time, she was
working “crazy hours” and would often times go to work at 6:00 a.m. or
6:30 a.m. Id. at 327. As a result, Muhammad would often arrive at the
residence before Brown left for work, then take their children to school and
pick them up afterword. Id. Brown indicated that at one point she owned a
9-millimeter handgun, and that the handgun ammunition in the bedroom
where Muhammad was found belonged to her. Id. at 329-31. Brown also
stated that she never bought shotgun shells, Inositol, or any of the bagging
material found at the residence. Id. at 332.
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Brown also testified that on December 12, 2013, she woke up at 5
a.m. to prepare for work, and that she had asked Muhammad to come to the
residence to watch the children after she left for work. Id. at 342-43.
According to Brown, she left for work around 5:45 a.m., and Muhammad
was in her bedroom watching television. Id. at 350-51. During cross-
examination, Brown acknowledged that on days when Muhammad came
over, he had access to the entire residence throughout the day, including the
areas where the drugs and guns were found. Id. at 359-60. She also noted
that on these days, she had “no idea” what was happening at the house.
Id. at 359.
A jury found Muhammad guilty of possession of a controlled substance
and PWID. In a non-jury determination that took place after the jury
verdict, the trial court found Muhammad guilty of PFP. The trial court
sentenced Muhammad to a term of 12-120 months in prison for the PWID
conviction,6 and a consecutive term of 60-120 months in prison for the PFP
conviction for an aggregate prison term of 72-240 months. Muhammad filed
a Post-Sentence Motion, which the trial court denied.
Muhammad then filed a timely Notice of Appeal and a timely court-
ordered Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(b) Concise
Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal.
On appeal, Muhammad raises the following questions for our review:
6
Muhammad’s possession of a controlled substance sentence merged with
his sentence for PWID.
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(1) Whether the [t]rial [c]ourt erred in denying [Muhammad’s]
Post[-]Sentence Motion[] where there was insufficient evidence
to establish the charges beyond a reasonable doubt[?]
(2) Whether the [t]rial [c]ourt abused its discretion in denying
[Muhammad’s] [P]ost-[S]entence [M]otion where the verdict
was against the weight of the evidence[?]
Brief for Appellant at 6.
In his first claim, Muhammad argues that the evidence is insufficient to
support his convictions. Id. at 9-14. We apply the following standard of
review when considering a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence:
The standard we apply in reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence is whether[,] viewing all the evidence admitted at trial
in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there is
sufficient evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every
element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In applying
the above test, we may not weigh the evidence and substitute
our judgment for the fact-finder. In addition, we note that the
facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need
not preclude every possibility of innocence. Any doubts
regarding a defendant’s guilt may be resolved by the fact-finder
unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive that as a matter
of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the combined
circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain its burden of
proving every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt
by means of wholly circumstantial evidence. Moreover, in
applying the above test, the entire record must be evaluated and
all evidence actually received must be considered. Finally, the
finder of fact[,] while passing upon the credibility of witnesses
and the weight of the evidence produced[,] is free to believe all,
part or none of the evidence.
Commonwealth v. Melvin, 103 A.3d 1, 39-40 (Pa. Super. 2014) (citation
omitted).
Initially, Muhammad argues that he did not possess the drugs found in
the residence. Brief for Appellant at 9, 13. Specifically, Muhammad
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contends that the evidence failed to establish that he constructively
possessed the drugs. Id. at 12-13. Muhammad claims that Detective
Honicker’s testimony did not establish constructive possession of the drugs.
Id. at 9, 12-13. Muhammad also asserts that the police did not record a
“chain of custody” when handling evidence or take photos of the evidence or
locations where evidence was found. Id. at 11. Muhammad further
contends that Detective Honicker “gave no specifics or circumstances as to
when, or to whom” Muhammad’s statement claiming that everything in the
basement belonged to him was made, and that Muhammad was “never
shown the bag from the basement or asked about it.” Id.In addition, Muhammad argues that the bag in the basement
containing firearms and cocaine had Brightwell’s identification inside, but
nothing referencing Muhammad. Id. at 12-13. Muhammad points out that
Brightwell was the only adult in the house found in close proximity to drugs.
Id. at 12. According to Muhammad, only ammunition, and not drugs, were
found in the bedroom where he was located. Id. Muhammad asserts that
the only item that he claimed direct ownership over was the leather jacket
containing $1,350. Id. at 11-12. Muhammad also argues that because he
did not constructively possess the drugs, he did not intend to deliver them.
Id. at 13.7
7
Muhammad baldly contends that because Detective Honicker relied on
information provided to him by an unknown officer and didn’t see where
Muhammad was located when police initially entered the residence,
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Possession of a controlled substance and PWID are defined as follows:
(a) The following acts and the causing thereof within the
Commonwealth are hereby prohibited:
***
(16) Knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled or
counterfeit substance by a person not registered under this act,
or a practitioner not registered or licensed by the appropriate
State board, unless the substance was obtained directly from, or
pursuant to, a valid prescription order or order of a practitioner,
or except as otherwise authorized by this act.
***
(30) Except as authorized by this act, the manufacture, delivery,
or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled
substance by a person not registered under this act, or a
practitioner not registered or licensed by the appropriate State
board, or knowingly creating, delivering or possessing with intent
to deliver, a counterfeit controlled substance.
35 P.S. § 780-113(a)(16), (30).
“As [Muhammad] was not in physical possession of [the drugs or
firearms], the Commonwealth was required to establish that he had
constructive possession of the seized items to support his convictions.”
Commonwealth v. Hopkins, 67 A.3d 817, 820 (Pa. Super. 2013) (citation
omitted). Constructive possession is a “legal fiction” that requires conscious
dominion, defined as “the power to control the contraband, and the intent to
exercise such control.” Id.; See also Commonwealth v. Bricker, 882
Detective Honicker’s testimony constitutes inadmissible hearsay. Brief for
Appellant at 11-13. However, Muhammad does not cite to any legal
authority or the record to support this assertion; thus it is waived. See
Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a); Commonwealth v. Hakala, 900 A.2d 404, 406-07 (Pa.
Super. 2006).
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A.2d 1008, 1014 (Pa. Super. 2005). Constructive possession can be
established by circumstantial evidence, based on the “totality of the
circumstances,” as long as the “combination of the evidence links the
accused to the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Bricker, 882 A.2d at
1014. (citation omitted). “Constructive possession is an inference arising
from a set of facts that possession of the contraband was more likely than
not.” Commonwealth v. Parker, 847 A.2d 745, 750 (Pa. Super. 2004)
(citation omitted).
Further,
In order to prove the offense of [PWID], the Commonwealth
must prove beyond a reasonable doubt both that the defendant
possessed the controlled substance and had the intent to deliver.
When determining whether a defendant had the requisite intent
to deliver, relevant factors for consideration are the manner in
which the controlled substance was packaged, the behavior of
the defendant, the presence of drug paraphernalia, and large
sums of cash. Expert opinion testimony is also admissible
concerning whether the facts surrounding the possession of
controlled substances are consistent with an intent to deliver
rather than with an intent to possess it for personal use. The
expert testimony of a witness qualified in the field of drug
distribution, coupled with the presence of paraphernalia, is
sufficient to establish intent to deliver.
Commonwealth v. Carpenter, 955 A.2d 411, 414 (Pa. Super.
2008) (citations and quotations marks omitted).
Our review of the record discloses sufficient evidence to establish
Muhammad’s constructive possession of the drugs. See Trial Court Opinion,
8/31/15, at 9-10. Indeed, while Muhammad was not found in proximity to
any drugs, the Commonwealth presented evidence of his admission that
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everything in the basement belonged to him, which would have included the
duffle bag containing cocaine. Further, the bedroom where he was found
contained mail addressed to the residence and his identifications. The
record reflects that Muhammad also answered the door to the residence
during controlled buys with the CI, and allowed the CI into the house on four
separate occasions, after which the CI emerged with drugs. Thus, we
conclude that the record contained sufficient evidence establishing that
Muhammad constructively possessed the cocaine and marijuana found in the
residence. See Commonwealth v. Petteway, 847 A.2d 713 (Pa. Super.
2004) (stating that the evidence was sufficient to support appellant’s
conviction of possession of a controlled substance despite appellant and the
controlled substance being found in different rooms).
Further, in light of evidence of the digital scale, $1,350 in cash, the
packaging materials, the successful controlled buys, the products found in
the residence that are used to dilute and improve the appearance of cocaine
(Inositol and Acetone), and Muhammad’s constructive possession of the
drugs, we conclude that the evidence was sufficient to sustain Muhammad’s
PWID conviction. See Commonwealth v. Little, 879 A.2d 293, 295-96 (Pa.
Super. 2005) (stating that the evidence was sufficient to support appellant’s
PWID conviction where police found numerous bags of cocaine and
marijuana, a digital scale, a bottle of Inositol, and a number of plastic bags
in appellant’s home).
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Muhammad also contends that there is insufficient evidence to sustain
his PFP conviction. See Brief for Appellant at 9, 12-13. Muhammad argues
that because all of the guns in the basement were discovered in a bag
containing Brightwell’s, not Muhammad’s, identification, there is insufficient
evidence to establish his constructive possession of the guns. Id. at 13.
Muhammad asserts that the shotgun shells, found in the room where he was
discovered, are not sufficient to establish his possession over the shotgun
found in the basement simply because they “would” work with the gun. Id.
PFP is defined as followed:
(a) Offense defined.
(1) A person who has been convicted of an offense
enumerated in subsection (b), within or without this
Commonwealth, regardless of the length of sentence or whose
conduct meets the criteria in subsection (c) shall not possess,
use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture or obtain a license to
possess, use, control, sell, transfer or manufacture a firearm in
this Commonwealth.
***
(b) Enumerated offenses. The following offenses shall apply
to subsection (a):
***
Section 2702 (relating to aggravated assault).
18 Pa.C.S.A. § 6105.8 Firearms, like controlled substances, can be
possessed constructively. See Hopkins, 67 A.3d at 820-21.
8
Muhammad was convicted of aggravated assault in 2003, and he does not
challenge his inability to possess a firearm.
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Here, while the firearms were found in the basement and Muhammad
was discovered in an upstairs bedroom, Muhammad informed Detective
Honicker that everything in the basement belonged to him. N.T., 12/3/14,
at 112-18, 121. The jury credited Detective Honicker’s testimony in
convicting Muhammad of PFP; we will not disturb the jury’s credibility
determinations. See Melvin, 103 A.3d at 39-40 (stating that this Court’s
role is not to weigh the evidence, but to ensure that there is sufficient
evidence in the record to enable a fact-finder to find every element of a
crime beyond a reasonable doubt). Additionally, Muhammad was found in a
room containing shells matching the shotgun found in the basement. N.T.
12/3/14, at 252. In viewing the record in the light most favorable to the
Commonwealth, the evidence was sufficient to support Muhammad’s PFP
conviction. See Trial Court Opinion, 8/31/15, at 12.
In his second claim, Muhammad contends that the verdict was against
the weight of the evidence. Brief for Appellant at 14-15. Muhammad argues
that the combined testimony of Brown and Anderson proves that Muhammad
did not live at the residence, and could not have constructively possessed
the drugs or firearms. Id. Muhammad asserts that this testimony was un-
contradicted, and that the testimony from the Commonwealth was
“inadmissible hearsay.”9 Id. at 15.
9
Muhammad incorporates by reference his sufficiency argument, which our
appellate rules do not allow. See Commonwealth v. Veon, 109 A.3d 754,
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Our standard of review for challenges to the weight of the evidence is
as follows:
A claim alleging the verdict was against the weight of the
evidence is addressed to the discretion of the trial court.
Accordingly, an appellate court reviews the exercise of the trial
court’s discretion; it does not answer for itself whether the
verdict was against the weight of the evidence. It is well[-
]settled that the fact-finder is free to believe all, part, or none of
the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses,
and a new trial based on a weight of the evidence claim is only
warranted where the fact-finder’s verdict is so contrary to the
evidence that it shocks one’s sense of justice. In determining
whether this standard has been met, appellate review is limited
to whether the trial judge’s discretion was properly exercised,
and relief will only be granted where the facts and inferences of
record disclose a palpable abuse of discretion.
Commonwealth v. Karns, 50 A.3d 158, 165 (Pa. Super. 2012) (citation
and brackets omitted).
774 (Pa. Super. 2015) (stating that an appellant waives any claim where he
or she incorporates by reference to prior arguments).
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Initially, we note that Muhammad did not properly preserve his
challenge to the weight of the evidence by raising it before the trial court.
See Pa.R.Crim.P. 607(A). In point of fact, Muhammad’s Post-Sentence
Motion does not mention a challenge to the weight of the evidence. The fact
that Muhammad included a weight of the evidence claim in his 1925(b)
Concise Statement does not preserve it on appeal. See Commonwealth v.
Thompson, 93 A.3d 478, 490-91 (Pa. Super. 2014). 10
Judgment of sentence affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 7/28/2016
10
Even if we had not deemed Muhammad’s weight claim to be waived, we
would have determined that it lacks merit. Here, the jury found the
Commonwealth’s witnesses to be credible. See Trial Court Opinion,
8/31/15, at 18. Based on the record, the jury’s decision is supported by the
evidence, and does not “shock one’s sense of justice.” See Karns, 50 A.3d
at 165. Thus, the facts and inferences of record do not disclose a palpable
abuse of discretion by the trial court. See id.
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