United States v. Steven Lee Anthony

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[DO NOT PUBLISH]
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT
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No. 17-12378
Non-Argument Calendar
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D.C. Docket No. 1:16-cr-20771-MGC-2
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff-Appellee,
versus
STEVEN LEE ANTHONY,
Defendant-Appellant.
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Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Southern District of Florida
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(July 25, 2018)
Before MARCUS, MARTIN and HULL, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
Steven Anthony appeals his conviction and sentence for conspiracy to
possess with intent to distribute heroin within 1000 feet of a public housing
facility, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 860(a). On appeal, Anthony argues
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that: (1) a mistrial was warranted because the government committed prosecutorial
misconduct in its opening statement by referencing a “show-up” identification that
had not been disclosed during discovery, and the court erred by allowing the
introduction of photos taken immediately after the show-up identification; (2) the
trial evidence was insufficient to support his conviction; and (3) he was improperly
sentenced as a career offender. After careful review, we affirm.
We typically review a prosecutorial misconduct claim de novo because it is
a mixed question of law and fact. United States v. Eckhardt, 466 F.3d 938, 947
(11th Cir. 2006). But if a defendant fails to object to prosecutorial misconduct by
the government based upon comments made during opening or closing statements,
we review the claim for plain error. United States v. Frank, 599 F.3d 1221, 1237-
38 (11th Cir. 2010). To establish plain error, the defendant must show (1) an error,
(2) that is plain, and (3) that affected his substantial rights. United States v.
Turner, 474 F.3d 1265, 1276 (11th Cir. 2007). If the defendant satisfies these
conditions, we may exercise our discretion to recognize the error only if it
seriously affects the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.
Id. Unless the explicit language of a statute or rule resolves an issue, there can be
no plain error where there is no precedent from the Supreme Court or this Court
directly resolving it. United States v. Lejarde-Rada, 319 F.3d 1288, 1291 (11th
Cir. 2003). The doctrine of invited error is implicated when a party induces or
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invites the district court into making an error. United States v. Harris, 443 F.3d
822, 823 (11th Cir. 2006). Where a party invites error, we are precluded from
reviewing that error on appeal. Id. at 823-24.
Similarly, we normally review challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence
de novo. See United States v. Zitron, 810 F.3d 1253, 1260 (11th Cir. 2016).
However, unpreserved objections to the sufficiency of the evidence are reviewed
for plain error. Id. Even where a defendant moves for judgment of acquittal based
on sufficiency of the evidence, we review specific arguments as to insufficiency
that are raised for the first time on appeal for plain error if the defendant did not
clearly object on that specific basis. See id.Finally, we review de novo whether a defendant’s prior conviction qualifies
as a crime of violence under the Sentencing Guidelines. United States v. Palomino
Garcia, 606 F.3d 1317, 1326 (11th Cir. 2010).
First, we are unpersuaded by Anthony’s claims that the government
committed prosecutorial misconduct in its opening statement and that the district
court erred by admitting photos of Anthony. Reversal on the basis of prosecutorial
misconduct requires that the misconduct be “so pronounced and persistent that it
permeates the entire atmosphere of the trial.” United States v. Weinstein, 762 F.2d
1522, 1542 (11th Cir. 1985) (quotation omitted). Thus, to establish prosecutorial
misconduct, the remarks (1) must be improper, and (2) must prejudicially affect the
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substantial rights of the defendant. Eckhardt, 466 F.3d at 947. A defendant’s
substantial rights are prejudicially affected when a reasonable probability arises
that, but for the remarks, the outcome of the trial would have been different. Id.
The relevant background is this. In a pre-trial discovery filing, the
government advised Anthony that it had “[n]o lineup, show up, photo spread, or
similar identification proceeding[]” to disclose. A “show-up” is an identification
procedure where an officer presents a witness with a suspect and asks him whether
that suspect is the perpetrator of the crime at issue. As it turns out, a show-up
identification had occurred in the case when Detective Stanley Paul-Noel had taken
Detective Walter Singer, who had conducted an undercover drug deal with
Anthony and his codefendant Willie Hundley, back to the scene of the drug deal to
identify the men who had sold him heroin. Photographs were taken of Anthony
immediately after the show-up identification, and he was arrested at a later time.
During the government’s opening statement in Anthony’s trial, the
prosecutor told the jury that Detective Singer had identified Anthony and Hundley
as the people who had sold him drugs. Anthony objected that the government’s
reference to this “show-up” identification revealed that the government had made a
discovery violation, and, after equivocating as to his preferred remedy, he
ultimately requested that the court exclude evidence of the show-up identification.
The court excluded the evidence. Additionally, Anthony objected to the
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introduction -- during Detective Singer’s testimony -- of photos of him at the time
of the show-up that were taken by Detective Paul-Noel, but he suggested that the
photos could be introduced during Detective Paul-Noel’s testimony, which is
ultimately what occurred. In its instructions to the jury, the court told the jury to
consider only the evidence that was admitted at trial, and that the lawyer’s
statements were not evidence and were not binding on them.
For starters, because Anthony explicitly objected to the government’s
comments regarding the show-up as a discovery violation rather than as
prosecutorial misconduct, we review his prosecutorial misconduct claim for plain
error, and we can find none. See Frank, 599 F.3d at 1237-38. As the record
reveals, Detective Singer testified at length about conducting a drug deal with
Anthony and his codefendant Hundley, and Singer identified Anthony in the
courtroom as the person with whom he transacted. Also, the district court
instructed the jury that statements by the lawyers were not evidence. On this
record, Anthony has not demonstrated that the outcome of his trial would have
been different but for the prosecutor’s remarks, and, therefore, has failed to show
plain error from any prosecutorial misconduct. See Eckhardt, 466 F.3d at 947.
Further, Anthony invited any potential error created by the district court’s
decision to exclude the show-up evidence. See Harris, 443 F.3d at 823. After a
prolonged discussion with the court, during which Anthony vacillated between
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requesting a mistrial and exclusion of the evidence, Anthony ultimately indicated
that exclusion was the “short answer.” Anthony continued, “That’s the easiest. I
just don’t know . . . .” On this record, it was reasonable for the court to interpret
Anthony’s requested remedy to be exclusion of the evidence rather than a mistrial.
Because Anthony induced the district court into deciding in favor of exclusion and
against a mistrial, we are precluded from reviewing any potential error created by
that decision on appeal. See Harris, 443 F.3d at 823-24.
Anthony also invited any error that occurred through the introduction of the
photos taken by Detective Paul-Noel after the show-up identification. As the
record reveals, Anthony expressly told the court that if the government wished to
introduce those photos, it could do so through the testimony of the detective who
took the photos, Detective Paul-Noel. Later, when the government sought to
introduce the photos during Detective Paul-Noel’s testimony -- as Anthony
recommended -- he objected to their introduction on the basis that the photos also
included printed information. But once the government explained that the
information only related to the time, date, and location of the photos, Anthony
withdrew his objection to the photos and indicated that he was satisfied. Then,
when Anthony objected to the introduction of the photos during Detective Singer’s
testimony or any identification by him of the photos, the court sustained his
objection at that time. This record makes clear that Anthony invited the court to
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allow the photos to be introduced into evidence during Detective Paul-Noel’s
testimony, and, therefore, Anthony is precluded from arguing on appeal that the
court erred by doing just that. See Harris, 443 F.3d at 823-24.
Next, we are unconvinced by Anthony’s claim that the trial evidence was
insufficient to support his conviction. In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence,
we view the record in the light most favorable to the government, resolving all
reasonable inferences in favor of the verdict. United States v. Farley, 607 F.3d
1294, 1333 (11th Cir. 2010). A defendant’s conviction will be sustained as long as
there is a reasonable basis in the record for it. Id. Whether the evidence is direct
or circumstantial, we accept all reasonable inferences that tend to support the
government’s case. United States v. Williams, 390 F.3d 1319, 1324 (11th Cir.
2004). The evidence need not exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence in
order for a reasonable jury to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States
v. Cruz-Valdez, 773 F.2d 1541, 1545 (11th Cir. 1985) (en banc). Thus, the jury is
free to choose among alternative, reasonable interpretations of the evidence. Id.To sustain a conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a
controlled substance under § 846, the government must prove that: (1) an
agreement existed between two or more people to possess with intent to distribute
the drugs; (2) that the defendant at issue knew of the conspiratorial goal; and (3)
that he knowingly joined or participated in the illegal venture. See United States v.
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Brown, 587 F.3d 1082, 1089 (11th Cir. 2009). Close association with a co-
conspirator or mere presence at the illegal sale of drugs is, by itself, insufficient
evidence to support a conviction for conspiracy to possess and distribute drugs.
See United States v. Lyons, 53 F.3d 1198, 1201 (11th Cir. 1995). Nonetheless, the
inference of participation from presence and association with conspirators is “a
material and probative factor that the jury may consider in reaching its verdict.”
Id. Further, culpable participation need not be great, since guilt may exist even
when the defendant plays only a minor role. Id.It is unlawful to possess, with the intent to distribute, a controlled substance
within 1000 feet of a housing facility owned by a public housing authority. 21
U.S.C. § 860(a). Direct or circumstantial evidence can prove intent, knowledge,
and possession. United States v. Poole, 878 F.2d 1389, 1391-92 (11th Cir. 1989).
As an initial matter, Anthony’s motion for judgment of acquittal as to Count
1 only raised the specific objections that there was insufficient evidence as to an
“agreement between Mr. Anthony and anybody else involved in this case, any
other witnesses involved in this case, and that no trier of fact could find Mr.
Anthony guilty.” Thus, we review de novo his claim that there was insufficient
evidence of an agreement, but review for plain error his claim that there was
insufficient evidence that the drug deal took place within 1000 feet of public
housing or that he knowingly agreed to the deal. See Zitron, 810 F.3d at 1260.
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Viewed in the light most favorable to the government, the trial evidence was
sufficient to support the finding of a knowing agreement between Anthony and
Hundley to possess with intent to distribute heroin. See Farley, 607 F.3d at 1333.
Detective Singer testified that Anthony asked him what he wanted and needed, to
which Detective Singer replied, “boy” -- slang for heroin. Detective Singer then
handed 40 dollars to Anthony before Anthony handed Hundley the money and told
him to “go get him the boy.” As Hundley retrieved the heroin, Anthony told
Detective Singer to wait down the street, and Hundley later gave four plastic
baggies with suspected heroin to Detective Singer. Further, Detective Singer
identified Anthony in the courtroom as the person with whom he had transacted.
Based on this testimony, there is a reasonable basis for the jury to conclude
that Anthony knowingly entered into an agreement to possess with intent to
distribute heroin. See Farley, 607 F.3d at 1333. Even if the evidence did not
exclude every reasonable hypothesis of Anthony’s innocence, the jury was free to
choose among reasonable interpretations of the evidence. See Cruz-Valdez, 773
F.2d at 1545. One reasonable interpretation was that Anthony knew about the goal
of the conspiracy -- to possess with intent to distribute heroin -- and knowingly
participated in the venture by asking Detective Singer what he wanted, telling
Hundley to retrieve the heroin, and telling Detective Singer where to await
Hundley’s delivery. See Brown, 587 F.3d at 1089. Thus, the evidence supported
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an inference that Anthony’s role in the drug transaction went beyond his mere
presence or association, and that, even if he did not know every detail of how
Hundley would distribute the heroin, he played at least a minor role in advancing
the conspiracy. See Lyons, 53 F.3d at 1201.
Moreover, Anthony has not shown that the sufficiency of the evidence about
whether the drug transaction occurred within 1000 feet of a public housing facility
amounted to plain error. See Zitron, 810 F.3d at 1260. Detective Freddy Quintero
testified that he measured the distance between the part of the intersection of Fifth
Avenue and Eighth Street where the drug transaction occurred and Culmer Place, a
nearby housing project on the northwest corner of the intersection. Detective
Quintero said that the beginning of the Culmer Place property was 196 feet from
where the drug deal occurred. The front entrance of Culmer Place was 411 feet
from where the drug deal occurred. Detective Quintero added that he observed
signs in Culmer Place stating “Miami-Dade Housing Authority” and “HUD.”
On this record, there is a reasonable basis for the jury to conclude that the
drug transaction occurred within 1000 feet of Culmer Place, a public housing
facility. See Farley, 607 F.3d at 1333. As for Anthony’s claim that the
government did not prove that he knew or intended that the drug deal would take
place within 1000 feet of a public housing facility, he does not point to any binding
statute, rule, or precedent indicating that the government is required to prove
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knowledge or intent as to the 1000-foot boundary. Without any definitive
authority as to this issue, there can be no plain error. See Lejarde-Rada, 319 F.3d
at 1291. As for Anthony’s citation to pattern jury instructions, those instructions
are not binding authority that directly resolve the question. Accordingly, Anthony
has not shown that the court erred in denying his motions for judgment of acquittal.
Finally, we find no merit to Anthony’s claim that he was improperly
sentenced as a career offender because his prior Florida conviction for felony
battery under Fla. Stat. § 784.041(1) does not qualify as a crime of violence under
the elements clause in U.S.S.G. § 4B1.2. Anthony concedes that we ruled to the
contrary in United States v. Vail-Bailon, 868 F.3d 1293 (11th Cir. 2017) (en banc),
cert. denied, No. 17-7151 (U.S. June 11, 2018), and he says that he only raises the
issue on appeal in order to preserve it for further review.
Under U.S.S.G. § 4B1.1, a defendant’s offense level may be increased if he
is a deemed to be a career offender. A defendant is a career offender if:
(1) the defendant was at least eighteen years old at the time the
defendant committed the instant offense of conviction; (2) the instant
offense of conviction is a felony that is either a crime of violence or a
controlled substance offense; and (3) the defendant has at least two
prior felony convictions of either a crime of violence or a controlled
substance offense.
Id. § 4B1.1(a). The term “crime of violence” is defined in the elements clause of §
4B1.2 to include an offense that has as an element the use, attempted use, or
threatened use of physical force against the person of another. Id. § 4B1.2(a).
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Under Florida law, a person commits felony battery if he: (a) actually and
intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; and (b)
causes great bodily harm, permanent disability, or permanent disfigurement. Fla.
Stat. § 784.041(1). In Vail-Bailon, we applied the categorical approach and held
that felony battery under Fla. Stat. § 784.041(1) categorically qualifies as a crime
of violence under the elements clause of the operative version of U.S.S.G. § 2L1.2,
which provided for a 16-level enhancement if a defendant convicted of illegal re-
entry was previously deported following a conviction for a crime of violence. See
Vail-Bailon, 868 F.3d at 1296-98, 1308. We reasoned that § 784.041(1) has as an
element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the
person of another. Id. We also noted that the elements clause of § 2L1.2 mirrors
the elements clause of § 4B1.2(a). See id. at 1297 & n.5.
Here, as Anthony concedes, his argument as to Fla. Stat. § 784.041(1) is
foreclosed by our binding precedent. We held in Vail-Bailon that felony battery
under Fla. Stat. § 784.041(1) categorically qualifies as a crime of violence under
the elements clause of the operative version of § 2L1.2, which mirrors the elements
clause of § 4B1.2(a). See id. at 1296-98, 1297 n.5, 1308; see also Palomino
Garcia, 606 F.3d at 1328-29 (noting that we’ve employed the same analytical
framework in determining whether an offense was a crime of violence under both §
4B1.2 and § 2L1.2). Thus, based on our binding precedent, we reject Anthony’s
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claim that Florida felony battery does not qualify as a crime of violence under the
elements clause of § 4B1.2(a).
AFFIRMED.
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