Christopher Lee Anderson v. State ( 2013 )

NO. 12-12-00041-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
CHRISTOPHER LEE ANDERSON, § APPEAL FROM THE 2ND
APPELLANT
V. § JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
APPELLEE § CHEROKEE COUNTY, TEXAS
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Christopher Lee Anderson appeals his conviction of possession of between four and two
hundred grams of cocaine with intent to deliver, for which he was sentenced to imprisonment for
fifteen years. Appellant raises four issues on appeal. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
Based on information received from a confidential informant, Jacksonville police officers
Jeremy Pate and James Oden conducted surveillance of a house located at 1007 Pierce Lane in
Jacksonville, Texas. The officers observed numerous different individuals entering the house
and leaving after only a short period of time. Based on their experience, Pate and Oden
suspected that illegal drugs were being sold at the house and obtained a search warrant for the
premises and an arrest warrant for Appellant.1 The Jacksonville Police Department SWAT team
executed the “no knock” warrant. Appellant was the only person present in the house and was
placed under arrest. As officers left the house with Appellant, he attempted to flee, but was
apprehended after a short foot chase. During his search of the property, Pate found assorted
1
These warrants are contained in a single document and will hereinafter be referred to as a singular
warrant.
small plastic baggies, digital scales, a firearm, approximately $1,400 in cash, and over fifty-
seven grams of cocaine.
Appellant was charged by indictment with possession of between four and two hundred
grams of cocaine with intent to deliver and pleaded “not guilty.” Appellant filed a motion to
suppress the evidence seized from the house arguing that (1) the affidavit upon which the search
warrant was based was improperly and illegally executed and (2) the search and seizure was
illegal in that the search warrant was facially deficient because (a) it failed to specify the place to
be searched and (b) it failed to particularize the things to be seized. The trial court denied
Appellant‟s motion, and the matter proceeded to a jury trial. Ultimately, the jury found
Appellant “guilty” as charged. Following a trial on punishment, the trial court sentenced
Appellant to imprisonment for fifteen years. This appeal followed.
MOTION TO SUPPRESS
In his first issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to
suppress. Appellant‟s motion to suppress was based on alleged deficiencies contained in Pate‟s
search warrant affidavit. Pate‟s affidavit is included, in pertinent part, as an appendix to this
opinion.
Standard of Review
We review a trial court's ruling on a motion to suppress evidence for abuse of discretion.
Crain v. State, 315 S.W.3d 43, 48 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010); State v. Elrod, 395 S.W.3d 869, 876
(Tex. App.–Austin 2013, no pet.). A trial court abuses its discretion when its ruling is arbitrary
or unreasonable. State v. Mechler, 153 S.W.3d 435, 439 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). The trial
court's ruling on the motion to suppress will be affirmed if it is reasonably supported by the
record and is correct under any theory of law applicable to the case. Young v. State, 283 S.W.3d
854, 873 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
In reviewing a trial court's ruling on a motion to suppress, we apply a bifurcated standard
of review. Wilson v. State, 311 S.W.3d 452, 457–58 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010); Carmouche v.
State, 10 S.W.3d 323, 327 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Although we give almost total deference to
the trial court‟s determination of historical facts, we conduct a de novo review of its application
of the law to those facts. See Wilson, 311 S.W.3d at 458; Carmouche, 10 S.W.3d at 327. We
afford almost total deference to the trial court‟s rulings on mixed questions of law and fact when
2
the resolution of those questions depends on an evaluation of credibility and demeanor. See
State v. Johnston, 336 S.W.3d 649, 657 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011); Guzman v. State, 955 S.W.2d
85, 89 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). We review de novo mixed questions of law and fact that do not
depend on an evaluation of credibility and demeanor. Johnston, 336 S.W.3d at 657; Guzman,
955 S.W.2d at 89. All purely legal questions are reviewed de novo. Johnston, 336 S.W.3d at
657; Kothe v. State, 152 S.W.3d 54, 62–63 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).
At the suppression hearing, the trial court is the sole trier of fact and exclusive judge of
the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given to their testimony. See St. George v.
State, 237 S.W.3d 720, 725 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Guzman, 955 S.W.2d at 89. Unless the
trial court abuses its discretion by making a finding that is unsupported by the record, we defer to
the trial court's findings of fact and will not disturb them on appeal. Johnston, 336 S.W.3d at
657; Guzman, 955 S.W.2d at 89; Elrod, 395 S.W.3d at 876–77. When, as here, the trial court
makes no findings of fact and conclusions of law, and none are requested, we review the
evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court‟s ruling and assume that the trial court
made implicit findings of fact that support its ruling so long as those findings are supported by
the record. Wiede v. State, 214 S.W.3d 17, 25 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Carmouche, 10 S.W.3d
at 328.
Search Warrant Affidavit
No search warrant may issue unless a sworn affidavit is first presented to the magistrate
setting forth sufficient facts to show that probable cause exists for its issuance. TEX. CODE CRIM.
PROC. ANN. art. 18.01(b) (West Supp. 2012); Elrod 395 S.W.3d at 880–81. The sworn affidavit
must set forth facts sufficient to establish probable cause that (1) a specific offense has been
committed, (2) the specifically described property or items that are to be searched for or seized
constitute evidence of that offense or evidence that a particular person committed that offense,
and (3) the property or items constituting evidence to be searched for or seized are located at or
on the particular person, place, or thing to be searched. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
18.01(c) (West Supp. 2012). Probable cause for a search warrant exists if, under the totality of
the circumstances presented to the magistrate, there is at least a “fair probability” or “substantial
chance” that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found at the specified location. Flores v.
State, 319 S.W.3d 697, 702 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010).
3
When reviewing a decision by a judge or magistrate to issue a search warrant, we apply a
deferential standard of review because of the constitutional preference for law enforcement
officials to obtain warrants rather than conduct warrantless searches. State v. McLain, 337
S.W.3d 268, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011). The facts submitted for the magistrate's probable
cause determination are those contained within the four corners of the affidavit and are to be read
in a common sense and realistic manner. McLain, 337 S.W.3d at 271; Rodriguez v. State, 232
S.W.3d 55, 61 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). A magistrate may draw reasonable inferences from the
facts stated in the affidavit. Rodriguez, 232 S.W.3d at 61; Hedspeth v. State, 249 S.W.3d 732,
737 (Tex. App.–Austin 2008, pet. ref‟d). When in doubt about the propriety of the magistrate‟s
conclusion, we defer to all reasonable inferences the magistrate could have made. Rodriguez,
232 S.W.3d at 61; see McLain, 337 S.W.3d at 271. Our inquiry, then, is whether there are
sufficient facts stated within the four corners of the affidavit, coupled with inferences from those
facts, to establish a fair probability that evidence of a particular crime will likely be found at a
given location. See Rodriguez, 232 S.W.3d at 62.
Identity of Confidential Informant
Appellant first argues that Pate‟s affidavit is deficient because paragraph 4 does not
identify the “established informant,” nor does it indicate that the informant specifically
mentioned (CI 02-11) is one and the same as the “established informant.” An unnamed
informant's reliability may be established by the general assertions of the affiant, as stated in the
affidavit, concerning the informant's prior reliability. Capistran v. State, 759 S.W.2d 121, 128
(Tex. Crim. App. 1982). Thus, as long as the prior reliability of the unnamed informant in this
case is established, it is not necessary that he be identified. Moreover, it is apparent that CI 02-
11 is the “established informant” referenced in paragraph 4. Paragraph 4 begins by setting forth
that the affiant‟s knowledge is based on information provided to him by an “established
confidential informant” that the suspected party is known to traffic cocaine. The very next
sentence sets forth that CI 02-11 made a controlled purchase of cocaine from the suspected party.
No other confidential informant is referenced in the affidavit. Therefore, we conclude that the
magistrate, reading the affidavit in a common sense and realistic manner, could draw a
reasonable inference that CI 02-11 is the “established informant” referenced in paragraph 4. See
McLain, 337 S.W.3d at 271.
4
“Controlled Purchase” and “Sizable Quantity”
Appellant next argues that the affidavit does not define the terms “controlled purchase”
and “sizable quantity” referenced in paragraph 4. We are mindful that we must not analyze the
affidavit in a hypertechnical manner. See State v. McLain, 337 S.W.3d 268, 271 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2011). With regard to the term of art “controlled purchase,” interpreting this term in a
common sense and realistic manner, it is reasonable that the trial court could infer, without
having the term defined for it in the affidavit, that CI 02-11 obtained cocaine in exchange for
money while under Pate‟s direction or authority. See id.; see also THE AMERICAN HERITAGE
DICTIONARY 319, 1005 (2d College ed. 1982) (defining “control” and “purchase”). Similarly,
with regard to the term “sizable quantity,” the trial court could reasonably infer that Pate
intended to convey that CI 02-11 purchased a fairly large amount of cocaine. Id. at 1013, 1145
(defining “sizable” and “quantity”).2
Informant’s Familiarity with Controlled Substances
Appellant next contends that the affidavit fails to provide any documentation as to how it
was determined that the substance alleged to have been purchased was, in fact, cocaine and fails
to state that the informant was knowledgeable about cocaine. An affidavit in support of a
warrant to search for narcotics need not provide more specific details about the informant‟s
reliability than to state the informant provided information in the past regarding narcotics
trafficking, which information had proved correct. State v. Walker, 140 S.W.3d 761, 766 (Tex.
App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, no pet.). Furthermore, because such a statement, when
interpreted in a realistic and common sense manner, indicates the informant‟s familiarity with
controlled substances, the affiant need provide no additional details to describe the informant‟s
qualifications in recognizing drugs. Id. Here, Pate‟s affidavit described CI 02-11 as an
“established confidential informant who has given true and reliable information on numerous
occasions in the past.” Therefore, it was not necessary to describe CI 02-11‟s qualifications in
recognizing drugs. See id. CI 02-11‟s description of the substance he purchased and observed in
the subject location is sufficient to permit the magistrate to conclude that the substance was what
CI 02-11 conveyed to Pate that it was.
2
The precise amount of cocaine previously purchased by CI 02-11 is immaterial to our analysis on this
issue.
5
Connecting Appellant to the Residence
Appellant next argues that the affidavit fails to state any determinative facts that the
suspected residence was, in fact, the residence of Appellant. A police officer may enter a
suspect‟s private residence to execute a felony arrest warrant provided he reasonably believes the
suspect is home. Green v. State, 78 S.W.3d 604, 609 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2002, no pet.)
(citing Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 602–03, 100 S. Ct. 1371, 1388, 63 L. Ed. 2d 639
(1980)). In the instant case, Pate stated in his affidavit that the house in question was in the
charge of and controlled by Appellant. Pate further set forth that CI 02-11 made a controlled
purchase of cocaine from Appellant at the house within the last twenty-four hours. Further still,
Pate stated in his affidavit that he showed CI 02-11 a photographic lineup and that CI 02-11
identified a photograph of Appellant as the person who lives at the subject residence and from
whom he bought cocaine at that residence. We conclude that the magistrate, reading the
affidavit in a common sense and realistic manner, could draw a reasonable inference that
Appellant resided at the subject property.
“A Quantity of Cocaine Still at the Suspected Residence”
Appellant next contends that the there are no facts or documentation to support
CI 02-11‟s statement that Appellant “has a quantity of cocaine still at the suspected residence.”
We again stress that we must not analyze the affidavit in a hypertechnical manner. See McLain,
337 S.W.3d at 271. Based on our reading of Pate‟s affidavit, we conclude that the magistrate,
reading the affidavit in a common sense and realistic manner, could draw a reasonable inference
that CI 02-11 observed a quantity of cocaine that remained in the residence following his
controlled purchase of cocaine from Appellant.
Reliability of Confidential Informant and Probable Cause
Finally, Appellant argues that Pate did not know the informant well enough to express an
opinion about the informant‟s character for truth and veracity. Appellant bases his contention on
his examination of Pate at the hearing on his motion to suppress. Information received from an
anonymous informer is no longer subject to a rigid two-pronged test for veracity and basis of
knowledge. State v. Davila, 169 S.W.3d 735, 739 (Tex. App.–Austin 2005, no pet.) (citing
Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 2332, 76 L. Ed. 2d 527 (1983)). But it is,
nevertheless, highly relevant in a totality of the circumstances analysis to consider what an
affidavit reveals regarding the credibility of the informer, the reliability of the particular tip, and
6
the basis of the informer's knowledge. Davila, 169 S.W.3d at 739. These issues “usefully
illuminate the commonsense, practical question whether there is „probable cause‟ to believe that
contraband or evidence is located in a particular place.” Id.
When an unnamed informant is relied upon in an affidavit for a search warrant, his
credibility may be established by allegations that the informant has proven reliable on previous
occasions. Blake v. State, 125 S.W.3d 717, 726 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, no pet.)
(citing Avery v. State, 545 S.W.2d 803, 804 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977)). This reliability may be
established by the general assertions of the affiant, as stated in the affidavit, concerning the
informant's prior reliability. Capistran, 759 S.W.2d at 128; Avery, 545 S.W.2d at 804; but see
State v. Duarte, 389 S.W.3d 349, 355 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (warrant affidavit based almost
entirely on hearsay information supplied by first-time confidential informant did not establish
probable cause necessary to support issuance of warrant to search defendant‟s residence).
Here, Pate stated in his affidavit that he received information from CI 02-11, an
established confidential informant, who has given true and reliable information on numerous
occasions in the past, that Appellant is known to traffic in illegal substances, namely cocaine.
That information was based on the informant‟s having made a controlled purchase of cocaine at
the subject property within twenty-four hours of Pate‟s making the affidavit. We conclude that
Pate‟s statement in his affidavit is sufficient to support the reliability of this confidential
informant. Moreover, based on Pate‟s affidavit, we further conclude that the facts asserted in the
affidavit, coupled with reasonable inferences from those facts, establish a fair probability that
evidence of the crime of delivery of cocaine was likely to be found at the stated location. See
Rodriguez, 232 S.W.3d at 62. Therefore, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in overruling Appellant‟s motion to suppress.
Appellant‟s first issue is overruled.
HEARSAY
In his second issue, Appellant argues that the trial court erred in overruling his hearsay
objections to Pate‟s testimony concerning his discovery during his search of the property of a
W-2 form and an Aaron‟s Rental receipt, both of which bore Appellant‟s name and the address
of the subject property.
7
Hearsay is defined as “a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying
at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” TEX. R.
EVID. 801(d). Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by statute or the rules of evidence or
other rules prescribed pursuant to statutory authority. TEX. R. EVID. 802. Erroneously admitting
evidence “will not result in reversal when other such evidence was received without objection,
either before or after the complained-of ruling.” Coble v. State, 330 S.W.3d 253, 282 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2010) (quoting Leday v. State, 983 S.W.2d 713, 717 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998)). In
other words, an error in the admission of evidence is harmless if substantially the same evidence
is admitted elsewhere without objection. See Mayes v. State, 816 S.W.2d 79, 88 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1991); Prieto v. State, 337 S.W.3d 918, 922 (Tex. App.–Amarillo 2011, pet. ref‟d).
Therefore, “defense counsel must object every time allegedly inadmissible evidence is offered.”
Hudson v. State, 675 S.W.2d 507, 511 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984); Thompson v. State, No.
12-11-00091-CR, 2012 WL 3104272, at *2 (Tex. App.–Tyler July 31, 2012, no pet.) (mem. op.,
not designated for publication).
Here, Appellant‟s trial counsel objected when the State sought to elicit testimony from
Pate concerning the W-2 and an Aaron‟s Rental receipt, both of which bore Appellant‟s name
and the address of the subject property. The trial court overruled Appellant‟s objection.
Subsequently, Pate again testified about his finding a W-2 with Appellant‟s address on it.
Appellant failed to lodge an objection to this testimony until after the State had begun eliciting
testimony from Pate concerning the amount of money he found at the residence.3
As a predicate to presenting a complaint on appeal that evidence was admitted in error,
the complaining party must have preserved the error at trial by a proper request, objection, or
motion stating the grounds for the ruling that the party sought from the trial court with sufficient
specificity to make the trial court aware of the complaint, and securing a ruling on the request,
objection, or motion. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1)(A), (2); Ethington v. State, 819 S.W.2d
854, 858 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). This request, objection, or motion must be timely; that is, the
complaining party must have objected to the evidence, if possible, before it was actually
admitted. See Ethington, 819 S.W.2d at 858. If not, an objection should be made to the
evidence as soon as the ground for objection becomes apparent. Lagrone v. State, 942 S.W.2d
3
Appellant objected that “to the extent [the State] is referring to documents that‟s not in evidence, and he is
relating to whatever potential content there is[,] I object to that.”
8
602, 618 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). If a complaining party fails to object until after an
objectionable question has been asked and answered, and the party can show no legitimate
reason to justify the delay, the party's objection is untimely and any complaint about the
admission of the evidence is waived. Id.; Thompson, 2012 WL 3104272, at *3.
In the case at hand, the State repeated its questioning of Pate concerning his discovery of
Appellant‟s W-2 as follows:
Q. You said you found a - - was it a W-2, W-4?
A. I believe it was a W-2 I believe.
Q. You said you had found one of those with his address on there?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Okay. Do you recall how much money you found at the time?
A. I believe it was approximately 1400 - -
Only at this point did Appellant object to Pate‟s testimony.
The grounds for Appellant‟s objection, whether based on hearsay or referring to
documents not in evidence, were apparent when the prosecuting attorney asked Pate about
Appellant‟s address being on the W-2. Moreover, there is no indication in the record that
Appellant had any reason to justify delaying his objection to Pate‟s testimony. Accordingly, we
hold that by his failure to continue to object each time the allegedly inadmissible evidence was
offered with regard to his W-2, Appellant failed to preserve error. See Hudson, 675 S.W.2d at
511; Thompson, 2012 WL 3104272, at *2. Moreover, even if Pate‟s testimony that he
discovered an Aaron‟s Rental receipt containing Appellant‟s name and the address of the subject
property was improperly admitted, its admission did not harm Appellant since Pate later testified
without objection that the W-2 bore the same information connecting Appellant to the subject
property. See Brooks v. State, 990 S.W.2d 278, 287 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (any error in
admitting hearsay evidence harmless in light of other properly admitted evidence proving same
fact); Rosales v. State, 932 S.W.2d 530, 536 (Tex. App.–Tyler 1995, pet. ref‟d). Appellant‟s
second issue is overruled.
9
EVIDENTIARY SUFFICIENCY
In his third and fourth issues, Appellant argues that the evidence is insufficient to support
the jury‟s verdict.
Standard of Review
The Jackson v. Virginia4 legal sufficiency standard is the only standard that a reviewing
court should apply in determining whether the evidence is sufficient to support each element of a
criminal offense that the state is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. See Brooks v.
State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 895 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). Legal sufficiency is the constitutional
minimum required by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to sustain a
criminal conviction. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 315–16, 99 S. Ct. at 2786–87; see also Escobedo
v. State, 6 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 1999, pet. ref‟d). The standard for reviewing a
legal sufficiency challenge is whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential
elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 320, 99 S. Ct. at
2789; see also Johnson v. State, 871 S.W.2d 183, 186 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). The evidence is
examined in the light most favorable to the verdict. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 320, 99 S. Ct. at
2789; Johnson, 871 S.W.2d at 186. A successful legal sufficiency challenge will result in
rendition of an acquittal by the reviewing court. See Tibbs v. Florida, 457 U.S. 31, 41–42, 102
S. Ct. 2211, 2217–18, 72 L. Ed. 2d 652 (1982).
The sufficiency of the evidence is measured against the offense as defined by a
hypothetically correct jury charge. See Malik v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App.
1997). Such a charge would include one that “accurately sets out the law, is authorized by the
indictment, does not unnecessarily increase the State‟s burden of proof or unnecessarily restrict
the State‟s theories of liability, and adequately describes the particular offense for which the
defendant is tried.” Id.
Governing Law
To support Appellant‟s conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, the
State was required to prove, among other things, that Appellant exercised control, management,
or care over the cocaine. See, e.g., Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405 (Tex. Crim. App.
2005). The State must establish, to the requisite level of confidence, that the accused‟s
connection with the contraband was more than just fortuitous. See id. at 406. When the accused
4
443 U.S. 307, 315–16, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 2786–87, 61 L. Ed. 2d 560 (1979).
10
was not in exclusive possession of the place where the contraband was found, we cannot
conclude that he had knowledge of and control over the contraband unless there are additional
independent facts and circumstances which link the accused to the contraband. Id. Links that
may circumstantially establish the sufficiency of the evidence to prove that a defendant had
knowing “possession” of contraband include the following: (1) the defendant‟s presence when a
search is conducted; (2) whether the contraband was in plain view; (3) the defendant's proximity
to and the accessibility of the contraband; (4) whether the defendant possessed other contraband
when arrested; (5) whether the defendant made incriminating statements when arrested; (6)
whether the defendant attempted to flee; (7) whether the defendant made furtive gestures; (8)
whether other contraband was present; (9) whether the defendant owned or had the right to
possess the place where the contraband was found; (10) whether the place where the contraband
was found was enclosed; and (11) whether the conduct of the defendant indicated a
consciousness of guilt. See Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 162 n.12. It is not the number of links that is
dispositive, but rather the logical force of all of the evidence, both direct and circumstantial. Id.
Ultimately, the question of whether the evidence is sufficient to link the appellant to the
contraband must be answered on a case by case basis. See Whitworth v. State, 808 S.W.2d 566,
569 (Tex. App.–Austin 1991, pet. ref‟d).
Intent to deliver a controlled substance may be proved by circumstantial evidence,
including evidence surrounding its possession. See Guy v. State, 160 S.W.3d 606, 613 (Tex.
App.–Fort Worth 2005, pet. ref‟d); Rhodes v. State, 913 S.W.2d 242, 251 (Tex. App.–Fort
Worth 1995), aff'd, 945 S.W.2d 115 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). Additionally, intent to deliver may
be inferred from the quantity of drugs possessed and from the manner in which they are
packaged. Guy, 160 S.W.3d at 613. Courts have considered several factors in determining such
intent, including the following: (1) the nature of the location where the defendant was arrested;
(2) the quantity of drugs the defendant possessed; (3) the manner of packaging of the drugs; (4)
the presence or absence of drug paraphernalia (for use or sale); (5) whether the defendant
possessed a large amount of cash in addition to the drugs; and (6) the defendant's status as a drug
user. Id at 613–14.
Evidence Supporting Appellant’s Conviction
In the instant case, Pate testified that he and Oden conducted surveillance of the location
in question and observed numerous persons stopping at the residence and leaving after a short
11
period of time. Pate further testified that this indicated narcotics sales were occurring at the
residence. Pate stated that based on his observations, he obtained a “no knock” search warrant
for the location and an arrest warrant for Appellant. Pate further stated that the warrants were
executed at the location by the SWAT team while he performed perimeter security duties. Pate
testified that Appellant was the only occupant located at the residence and was placed under
arrest. Pate further testified that he approached the residence to conduct his search, at which
point he observed Appellant being chased by other officers. Pate stated that during his search, he
found small plastic baggies of a type used to package narcotics for sale, digital scales used to
measure the weights of drugs sold, and a large amount of cash. Pate further stated that he found
a large amount of cocaine, a firearm, and a W-2 form and Aaron‟s Rentals receipt, both of which
bore Appellant‟s name and the address of the subject property. Finally, Pate testified that the
street value for one gram of crack cocaine is one hundred dollars.
Oden testified that he and Pate conducted surveillance on the residence in question.
Oden further testified that he observed numerous vehicles making brief stops at the location. He
stated that he considered this to be suspicious behavior indicative of narcotics sales.
Jacksonville Police Sergeant Daniel Franklin testified that he was the commander of the
department‟s SWAT team. Franklin further testified that the SWAT team deployed to aid in the
execution of a search warrant at the subject property. Franklin stated that Appellant was the only
individual present at the scene when he and the SWAT team entered the residence, and that
Appellant was standing near the doorway of a bedroom. Franklin further stated that when
Appellant was taken out of the residence, he broke free from officers and ran. Franklin testified
that Appellant was again apprehended after a short foot chase.
Chance Cline, a forensic scientist for the Texas Department of Public Safety testified that
he tested the substance recovered from the residence and determined that it was “cocaine base”
or “crack cocaine.” Cline further testified that the weight of the substance recovered was 57.18
grams.
In sum, Pate and Oden observed suspicious activity at the residence indicating to each of
them that narcotics trafficking was being conducted. Appellant was the only person present
when police executed the warrant and had access to the cocaine recovered. Appellant attempted
to flee after he was placed under arrest. Digital scales, plastic baggies, and a large amount of
cash were also discovered in the house. Moreover, a firearm and cocaine with a street value of
12
more than five thousand dollars was discovered, in part, in an enclosed place, a bread box.5 Pate
testified that based on the items he discovered during his search, he believed that illegal narcotics
sales had been going on in the residence. Finally, the W-2 and rental receipt link Appellant to
the residence, which could cause a reasonable jury to conclude that Appellant was present there
during the period of time the officers observed activity indicative of narcotics trafficking.
Having examining the aforementioned evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we
hold that the evidence is sufficient to support that Appellant possessed the cocaine at issue with
intent to deliver. Appellant‟s third and fourth issues are overruled.
DISPOSITION
Having overruled Appellant‟s first, second, third, and fourth issues, we affirm the trial
court‟s judgment.
SAM GRIFFITH
Justice
Opinion delivered October 16, 2013.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(DO NOT PUBLISH)
5
A portion of the cocaine recovered was located in a bread box in the kitchen. The bulk of the cocaine
recovered was located in a bedroom on a dresser.
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APPENDIX
COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS
JUDGMENT
OCTOBER 16, 2013
NO. 12-12-00041-CR
CHRISTOPHER LEE ANDERSON,
Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
Appeal from the 2nd District Court
of Cherokee County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 18035)
THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
judgment.
It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment
of the court below be in all things affirmed, and that this decision be certified to the court
below for observance.
Sam Griffith, Justice.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.