United States v. Kevin Lee Davis

United States Court of Appeals
FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
___________
Nos. 06-1055/1227
___________
United States of America, *
*
Appellee/Cross-Appellant, *
* Appeal from the United States
v. * District Court for the
* Southern District of Iowa.
Kevin Lee Davis, *
*
Appellant/Cross-Appellee. *
___________
Submitted: September 25, 2006
Filed: December 28, 2006
___________
Before WOLLMAN, BRIGHT, and BOWMAN, Circuit Judges.
___________
BOWMAN, Circuit Judge.
Kevin Lee Davis was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute
methamphetamine, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A)(viii), 846; conspiracy to
manufacture and distribute marijuana, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B)(vii), 846; and
manufacturing marijuana, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(D). Davis appeals,
challenging the denial by the District Court1 of his motion to suppress, the sufficiency
of the evidence, and the reasonableness of his sentence. The government cross-
1
The Honorable Harold D. Vietor, United States District Judge for the Southern
District of Iowa.
appeals, challenging the District Court's drug-quantity calculation at sentencing. We
affirm the District Court in all respects.
I.
On February 24, 2005, an arrest warrant was issued for Kevin Davis on account
of methamphetamine and marijuana charges. A federal Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA) tactical team working in conjunction with Iowa law enforcement officers
(collectively, "the officers") executed the arrest warrant at Davis's Iowa farmhouse the
morning of March 15, 2005. For approximately two hours prior to execution, officers
conducted surveillance of Davis's house and barn from a vantage point approximately
one-quarter of a mile from the house. The officers observed Davis make two trips
between his house and barn (which was located approximately 100 yards from the
house) on an all-terrain vehicle; one trip lasted approximately thirty to forty minutes,
and the other trip lasted only a few minutes. The officers also noted that three to four
vehicles and a small trailer were on the property. The officers had prior intelligence
suggesting that other persons could be inside the house and/or barn. The officers also
had information that Davis kept firearms in the house.
In executing the warrant, a team of five officers knocked and announced their
presence at Davis's front door three times, but received no response. While waiting
for a response, one team member shouted the word "compromise," which was the
team's code word to indicate that a person had been seen or heard inside the house.
At this point, the team broke into the house and conducted a sweep of the house. At
the same time the team was entering the house, Davis was exiting the house through
the kitchen door—apparently not in an attempt to escape, but rather to cooperate.
Davis was immediately spotted and arrested by other officers stationed outside of the
house. The team that entered and swept the house was not aware that Davis had
exited the house, been spotted by other officers, or been arrested.
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During the team's sweep of the house, officers observed several drug-related
items in plain view, including: grow lights; water hoses; boxes of plant food and
fertilizer; planting pots and blocks; drying shelves; marijuana clippings; and a
homemade rifle. During the sweep, Iowa State Patrolman Chad Peters broke into a
closet that was padlocked from the outside and discovered rifles and handguns. Davis
alleged that another officer opened a toolbox and observed a scale during the sweep,
but the government contended that the toolbox remained unopened until execution of
the subsequently issued search warrant.
At the same time the team was entering the house, three officers, including
Agent Tony Peterson of the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, conducted a
sweep of the barn. These officers swept the barn for approximately thirty seconds and
then went to the house. By that point, Davis had been arrested and the house sweep
had been completed. During the barn sweep, the officers observed an item they
believed was an HCl generator, but was identified as a weed sprayer after the
subsequent search.
After the arrest and sweeps, the officers obtained a search warrant for Davis's
property. The affidavit in support of the search warrant contained details of the
sweeps, including statements that the firearms in the closet were "observed in plain
view" and that officers observed an HCl generator in the barn. Suppression Hr'g Ex.
A. The affidavit also contained prior intelligence information indicating Davis's
involvement with the growth and sale of marijuana. The affidavit was signed by DEA
Special Agent Tyson Hodges, who was not present during the arrest. Agent Peterson
had dictated the sweep information to Agent Hodges over the phone;2 and Agent
2
The affidavit stated that Agent Hodges learned the information about the sweep
from DEA Special Agent Frank Feden; however, the testimony during the suppression
hearing indicated that the sweep observations were relayed by Agent Peterson. See
United States v. Hollis, 245 F.3d 671, 673 (8th Cir. 2001) (noting that Franks v.
Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978), hearing permits the defendant to challenge statements
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Peterson had, in turn, received the information that the firearms were observed in plain
view from Patrolman Peters.
At trial, the government presented several witnesses who testified about their
roles in the operation to manufacture and distribute large quantities of
methamphetamine between 2002 and 2004. According to the witnesses, this operation
involved the mass purchase of pseudoephedrine pills that were given to various
individuals, including Davis, who in turn manufactured methamphetamine for resale
by a seller. Under this arrangement, Davis, with the assistance of another individual,
manufactured methamphetamine on at least three separate occasions, each time
producing quantities that required the consumption of 10,000 pseudoephedrine pills.
After each manufacture, Davis provided the seller with two ounces of
methamphetamine while retaining the remaining amounts (Davis also sold
methamphetamine directly to several individuals). Davis told one individual that he
manufactured four-and-one-half to five ounces of methamphetamine per 5,000
pseudoephedrine pills.
Davis also assisted other individuals in the manufacture of methamphetamine
for the seller, either directly or by providing his barn for use as a lab. These
manufacturers would pay Davis with methamphetamine or anhydrous in exchange for
use of the barn. Additionally, Davis directly purchased between 40,000 and 54,000
pseudoephedrine pills for the manufacture of methamphetamine, which he paid for
with either money or methamphetamine. One manufacturer saw Davis in possession
of approximately one-quarter pound of methamphetamine on one occasion.
The same witnesses also testified about their roles in the manufacture and
distribution of marijuana between 2000 and 2003. According to the testimony, Davis
harvested large quantities of marijuana and employed two individuals to trim the
contained in a search warrant affidavit in certain circumstances).
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marijuana. In return for these services, Davis provided these two individuals with
marijuana. Davis harvested between eighty and one hundred pounds of marijuana
during the fall of 2001. Additionally, Davis grew approximately 800 marijuana clone
plants per year between 2000 and 2003 and sold them to three sellers in exchange for
harvesting services. Finally, Davis sold marijuana to several individuals out of his
home.
DEA agents testified that Davis's barn was the type of vented space commonly
used to manufacture methamphetamine and that the items found in Davis's house
could be used to manufacture marijuana. The government introduced phone records
showing calls between the co-conspirator witnesses and Davis. Davis's friends
testified that they used methamphetamine and marijuana at Davis's house. A neighbor
testified about the high volume of traffic at Davis's house for short periods during the
day and night. The jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts.
At sentencing, the District Court applied the sentencing guidelines and
calculated a total-offense level of 30 and a criminal history category of I, which
resulted in an advisory sentencing range of 97 to 121 months of imprisonment. The
District Court applied a two-level dangerous-weapons enhancement and found that
Davis was responsible for 4.9 grams of methamphetamine. After considering the 18
U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors, the District Court sentenced Davis to concurrent terms of
imprisonment of ninety-seven months for the conspiracy counts and sixty months for
the manufacturing count.
II.
Davis first argues that the District Court erred by failing to suppress evidence
seized under the search warrant, which was issued based on information obtained from
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the protective sweeps of his house and barn.3 Davis conceded the validity of the house
sweep during oral argument, but still contests the validity of the barn sweep. Davis
also contends that the officers' inspections of the locked closet and toolbox each
exceeded the permissible scope of the house sweep.4 We review the District Court's
factual findings for clear error and its legal conclusions de novo when examining the
motion to suppress. United States v. Clayton, 210 F.3d 841, 845 (8th Cir. 2000).
A.
Davis first argues that the protective sweep of his barn was invalid under the
standard announced in Maryland v. Buie, 494 U.S. 325 (1990). In Buie, the Supreme
Court held that incident to an arrest, officers may, as a precaution and without any
requisite level of suspicion, "look in closets and other spaces immediately adjoining
the place of arrest from which an attack could be immediately launched" without first
securing a search warrant. Id. at 334. The Court also held that officers may sweep
additional areas if "articulable facts which, taken together with the rational inferences
from those facts, would warrant a reasonably prudent officer in believing that the area
to be swept harbors an individual posing a danger to those on the arrest scene" exist.
Id. A "protective sweep" must be "a quick and limited search of premises . . .
conducted to protect the safety of police officers or others." Id. at 327. It may only
3
The government conceded that without the information obtained during the
sweeps and described in the affidavit, the search warrant would fail for lack of
probable cause. Suppression Hr'g Tr. at 198; see Michigan v. Clifford, 464 U.S. 287,
294 (1984) (stating that "a criminal search warrant may be obtained only on a showing
of probable cause to believe that relevant evidence will be found in the place to be
searched").
4
During oral argument, Davis also contended that the officers exceeded the
scope of a permissible sweep by searching a particular area of his cellar. This point
was not argued in the briefs and therefore is waived. See Chay-Velasquez v. Ashcroft,
367 F.3d 751, 756 (8th Cir. 2004).
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extend to a cursory inspection of those spaces where a person may be found and may
last no longer than is necessary to dispel the reasonable suspicion of danger, and in
any event, may last no longer than it takes to complete the arrest and depart the
premises. Id. at 335–36. A protective sweep is justified by the threat of accomplices
launching a surprise attack during an arrest and is particularly important during an in-
home arrest, due to the heightened potential for an ambush in unfamiliar surroundings.
Id. at 333. A protective sweep may be executed after an arrest if there is a reasonable
possibility that other persons may be present on the premises who pose a danger to the
officers. United States v. Jones, 193 F.3d 948, 950 (8th Cir. 1999).
Because the barn did not immediately adjoin the place of arrest, the question is
whether the officers conducting the sweep possessed a reasonable belief, based on
specific and articulable facts, that the barn harbored an individual who posed a danger
to the officers. Buie, 494 U.S. at 334. The District Court held that the officers were
permitted to conduct the protective sweep of the barn under this standard and that the
officers also had the authority to sweep the barn in connection with their execution of
the arrest warrant. Because we hold that the officers' actions were justified under
Buie, we do not address the District Court's alternative rationale.
The protective sweep of the barn was justified by several articulable facts and
resulting rational inferences that created a reasonable suspicion that accomplices could
pose a threat to the safety of the arresting officers. These facts and inferences include:
(1) the surveillance officers observed Davis going to and from his barn twice in two
hours, from which they could infer that he had contact with an accomplice (or
accomplices); (2) three to four vehicles and a trailer were parked on the property,
which could indicate the presence of accomplices; (3) the officers had prior
intelligence of individuals coming to the property to manufacture methamphetamine;
(4) prior intelligence indicated that Davis possessed firearms, which could indicate a
danger to officer safety; (5) the officers had been informed that Davis associated with
dangerous and violent persons, which also could indicate a potential danger to officer
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safety; and (6) surveillance cameras were attached to the house, which could indicate
the heightened possibility of a surprise attack. These facts and inferences, especially
when considered in the aggregate, would have led a reasonable officer to conclude
that individuals posing a legitimate threat to his safety could be lurking in Davis's
barn. While it is true that the barn did not immediately adjoin the area of arrest, the
barn was not so far removed from the house that a reasonably prudent officer could
dismiss the potential danger. Considering that Davis had made two trips to the barn
in two hours and that multiple vehicles were present on the property, the officers could
reasonably conclude that accomplices were inside the barn. Combined with the
information that Davis possessed firearms, that he associated with violent persons, and
that surveillance cameras were mounted outside of the house, it was reasonable for the
officers to conclude that their safety was threatened and that a protective sweep of the
barn was permissible.
Moreover, even if we were to assume that it was improper for the officers to
conduct a protective sweep of the barn, the evidence observed in plain view during the
house sweep (which Davis concedes was valid under Buie) satisfied the probable
cause requirement for issuance of a search warrant. For these reasons, Davis's
argument regarding the protective sweep of his barn fails.
B.
Davis next argues that although the protective sweep of his house was valid
under Buie, the officers exceeded the permissible scope of the house sweep by
opening a locked closet door and allegedly opening a toolbox. Because the search
warrant was partially issued based on the house sweep's observations, Davis contends
the search warrant was invalid.
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A protective sweep must be quick and limited to places where persons could be
hiding. Buie, 494 U.S. at 327. The search should take no longer than necessary to
complete the arrest and leave the premises. Id. at 335–36.
The District Court concluded that breaking into the locked closet exceeded the
scope of a lawful protective sweep, and we agree. The officer who broke the lock
acknowledged that nothing he observed indicated that anyone was hiding in the closet
and that if someone were actually hiding inside, the individual would have been
locked in the closet. However, the District Court also ruled that the "abundant"
evidence found within the permissible scope of the protective sweeps still established
probable cause to support the search warrant, and we agree. Ruling at 5.
Regarding the toolbox, there was conflicting testimony as to whether the
officers opened a toolbox containing a scale during the house sweep or whether they
waited until after obtaining a search warrant. Opening a small toolbox would exceed
the scope of a lawful protective sweep; however, the District Court was not persuaded
that the officers did in fact prematurely open this toolbox, and we cannot say that this
finding was clearly erroneous. For these reasons, Davis's argument that the officers
exceed the lawful scope of the house sweep fails.5
5
Our opinion analyzes the validity and proper scope of the sweeps in this case.
However, brief mention of an issue identified during the suppression hearing is
warranted. Four officers testified that it is their department's policy to conduct a
sweep of a house during every home arrest as a matter of course. While we recognize
the reality that these particular officers are often executing drug-related warrants,
which frequently involve a threat to officer safety and thereby justify protective
sweeps, Buie clearly instructs that protective sweeps must be justified on an
individualized basis. Buie does not allow for a sweep in all cases. 494 U.S. at 334
n.2. Here, the circumstances justified the protective sweep, and future sweeps must
be similarly justified in the individual cases, and may not be conducted as a matter of
course.
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C.
Davis's final argument regarding his suppression motion is that the information
contained in the search warrant affidavit violated the standard articulated in Franks v.
Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978), and therefore the warrant was invalid. Davis further
contends that the good-faith exception described in United States v. Leon, 468 U.S.
897 (1984), should not apply.
To prevail on a Franks claim, a defendant must show that: (1) the affiant
knowingly and intentionally, or with reckless disregard for the truth, included false
information in or excluded material information from the search warrant affidavit; and
(2) the affidavit, excluding the false inclusion or including the missing material
information, would not support a finding of probable cause. 438 U.S. at 155–56;
United States v. Clapp, 46 F.3d 795, 799 (8th Cir. 1995). Neither mere negligence nor
an innocent mistake will, by themselves, void a warrant. Franks, 438 U.S. at 171;
Clapp, 46 F.3d at 799. Probable cause to issue a search warrant exists when an
affidavit in support of the warrant sets forth sufficient facts to establish that there is
a "fair probability that contraband or evidence of" criminal activity will be found in
the particular place to be searched. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238 (1983); see
Clapp, 46 F.3d at 801. Probable cause determinations are made in light of the totality
of the circumstances. Clapp, 46 F.3d at 801.
The threshold issue is whether the statements in the affidavit that the firearms
in the closet were in "plain view" and that an HCl generator was observed in the barn
were made with knowing and intentional or reckless disregard for the truth. We agree
with the District Court that the statement about the HCl generator, which was actually
a weed sprayer, was an "honest mistake," and therefore does not violate the first prong
of Franks. Ruling at 4. We also agree with the District Court that the statement that
the firearms were observed in "plain view" was made in reckless disregard of the
truth. Ruling at 5. The officer who broke the lock and observed the firearms inside
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the closet acted outside the scope of a lawful protective sweep. The firearms,
therefore, were not in plain view. See Harris v. United States, 390 U.S. 234, 236
(1968) (per curiam) (noting that an item is in plain view if it is observed by an officer
standing in a place where he is legally entitled to be). While some governmental
actions raise substantially difficult questions about the constitutional limitations on
governmental conduct, the opening of a closet padlocked from the outside during a
sweep to look for potential accomplices is not reasonably debatable. Therefore, the
statement that the firearms were in "plain view" was made in reckless disregard of the
truth.6
Under the second Franks prong, however, Davis's argument fails because even
after excluding the statements about the firearms and HCl generator, the affidavit
provided probable cause to support the search warrant. Because Davis's Franks claim
fails, we need not reach the Leon good-faith argument.
III.
Davis next argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his
convictions. We review the evidence, including all reasonable inferences drawn
therefrom, in the light most favorable to the government and will only reverse if no
6
The fact that the affiant, Agent Hodges, was not aware that the firearms were
not in plain view does not change the result under Franks, nor does the fact that Agent
Hodges's source of information, Agent Peterson, was also unaware of the truth.
Patrolman Peters's statement cannot be insulated from a Franks challenge simply
because it was relayed through two officers who were both unaware of the truth. See
Franks, 438 U.S. at 163 n.6 (noting with approval the premise that "police [may] not
insulate one officer's deliberate misstatement merely by relaying it through an
officer-affiant personally ignorant of its falsity"); accord United States v. Kennedy,
131 F.3d 1371, 1376 (10th Cir. 1997) (collecting cases), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 863
(1998).
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reasonable jury could have found Davis guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. United
States v. Espino, 317 F.3d 788, 792 (8th Cir. 2003).
A.
To prove a conspiracy to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance, the
government must prove that (1) there was an agreement or understanding to
manufacture or distribute a controlled substance, (2) the defendant knew of the
agreement or understanding, and (3) the defendant intentionally joined the agreement
or understanding. Id. at 792. A conspiracy may be proved by direct or circumstantial
evidence. Id. With respect to Davis's methamphetamine conviction, the government
must prove that Davis intended to manufacture or distribute at least fifty grams of
methamphetamine. See 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(1)(A)(viii), 846.
There was sufficient evidence to support Davis's conviction for conspiracy to
manufacture or distribute methamphetamine. The government presented evidence that
Davis: (1) manufactured methamphetamine for a seller on at least three separate
occasions; (2) directly assisted other individuals in the manufacture of
methamphetamine; (3) provided his barn to other individuals for the manufacture of
methamphetamine; (4) received methamphetamine and pseudoephedrine pills for his
efforts; and (5) sold methamphetamine himself. The cooperation between Davis and
the primary seller (i.e., the exchanges of pills and finished methamphetamine), and
between Davis and the other manufacturers (i.e., the use of his barn for the
manufacture of methamphetamine) shows both that there was an agreement or
understanding between Davis and these co-conspirators and that Davis knew of the
agreement or understanding. Davis intentionally joined the agreement, as shown by
his voluntary acts, including accepting pills, providing finished methamphetamine,
allowing the use of his barn for manufacturing, and selling methamphetamine. The
government satisfied the statutory drug-amount requirement, presenting evidence that
Davis manufactured two ounces of methamphetamine on three separate occasions, and
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that Davis manufactured approximately five ounces of methamphetamine per 5,000
pseudoephedrine pills.
Davis essentially attacks this verdict on two grounds, arguing that the testimony
of the government's key witnesses was speculative and biased, and that the testimony
of a DEA agent was based on assumptions. Davis contends that the government's co-
conspirator witnesses were not credible because they testified after reaching plea
agreements and they did not possess personal knowledge that Davis actually
manufactured methamphetamine. He argues that the DEA agent's testimony regarding
the likelihood that Davis's barn was a methamphetamine lab was speculative because
the presence of a ventilation system could be explained by Davis's ownership of a
body shop. Finally, Davis contends that the agent's testimony that Davis distributed
methamphetamine was unsubstantiated because no methamphetamine was found on
Davis at the time of his arrest.
Questions of credibility are the province of the jury and are "virtually
unreviewable on appeal." United States v. Candie, 974 F.2d 61, 64 (8th Cir. 1992).
The jury may consider whether a witness has a plea agreement as part of its credibility
determination. Espino, 317 F.3d at 794. Evidence of these witnesses' plea agreements
was offered, and the jury was free to accept or reject their testimony. Similarly, the
jury was free to accept or reject the testimony of the DEA agent after considering the
agent's training and experience and evaluating his opinion. The co-conspirators'
personal knowledge of Davis's actions was evident from their testimony. The
government was not required to show that Davis possessed methamphetamine at the
time of his arrest to support the conviction. It is apparent that the jury accepted the
testimony Davis now challenges. We will not disturb the verdict because the jury
exercised its prerogative to credit this testimony.
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B.
With respect to the marijuana convictions, the government was required to
prove not only that Davis conspired to manufacture or distribute marijuana, see 21
U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), 846, but also that Davis knowingly or intentionally
manufactured marijuana, see 21 U.S.C. § 841(a), (b)(1)(B).
There was sufficient evidence to support Davis's marijuana convictions. The
government presented evidence that Davis: (1) harvested marijuana; (2) employed
individuals to harvest and trim marijuana; (3) provided marijuana plants to co-
conspirators; and (4) sold marijuana. Davis's cooperation with others, his harvesting
of marijuana, and his sale of marijuana shows that there was an agreement or
understanding to manufacture and distribute marijuana and that Davis knew of the
agreement or understanding. Davis's voluntary actions, including providing marijuana
plants to others and selling marijuana, show that he intentionally joined the agreement
or understanding. Davis's harvesting of marijuana and employment of others show
that Davis knowingly and intentionally manufactured marijuana.
Davis again argues that the government's co-conspirator witnesses were
unreliable due to their plea agreements, and that the DEA agent's testimony regarding
Davis's manufacture of marijuana was speculative. Just as with the methamphetamine
count, the jury was free to make credibility determinations and to accept or reject the
testimony, and we again do not see any proper reason to disturb the jury verdict.
IV.
Davis next argues that the ninety-seven month sentence imposed by the District
Court is unreasonable. We review sentences for unreasonableness. United States v.
Adams, 401 F.3d 886, 895 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 126 S. Ct. 492 (2005). We review
the District Court's application of the sentencing guidelines de novo and its factual
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findings for clear error. United States v. Johnston, 353 F.3d 617, 625 (8th Cir. 2003),
cert. denied, 541 U.S. 1068 (2004).
A.
Davis first contends that the District Court erred in applying a two-level
enhancement for possession of a firearm. The guidelines provide for a two-level
enhancement when the government shows by a preponderance of the evidence, see
United States v. Atkins, 250 F.3d 1203, 1214 (8th Cir. 2001), that a firearm was
present and it is not clearly improbable that the firearm was connected to a drug crime.
U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 2D1.1(b)(1), cmt. n.3. A connection between
a firearm and drug-related activities may be shown by proof that the firearm was
located in the same place as the drugs or drug-related activity. Atkins, 250 F.3d at
1214. Proof that a firearm was located in the same room as drug-related items
supports the conclusion that the defendant's drug activities were conducted in that
room and that the gun was used in connection with the activities. United States v.
Moore, 212 F.3d 441, 447 (8th Cir. 2000).
The District Court did not err in applying the enhancement for possession of a
firearm. Several firearms, including a shotgun, rifles, and handguns were found in the
same room as marijuana and marijuana-manufacturing items such as seeds and scales.
Witnesses testified that drug transactions were conducted in the same room as the
firearms. This close proximity of the firearms to the drug activity—in addition to the
number and type of weapons involved (i.e., handguns)—support the conclusion that
the firearms were used in connection with drug activity. Therefore, the District
Court's finding that it was not clearly improbable that the firearms were connected to
drug-related activity was not clearly erroneous.
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B.
Davis further contends that the District Court failed to fully consider mitigating
factors raised during the sentencing hearing—specifically that he had suffered from
an addiction to methamphetamine, was participating in rehabilitation, intended to
remain sober, and desired to provide a positive role-model for his children. The
District Court did consider each of these mitigating factors; Davis's addiction,
rehabilitation, sobriety, and family were each discussed in detail during the sentencing
hearing. The District Court also considered the need for deterrence and treatment, as
well as the circumstances of Davis's crime, before ultimately imposing a sentence at
the low end of the guidelines. We are satisfied that the District Court did not err in
this regard.
V.
Finally, the government argues that the District Court erred in determining the
amount of methamphetamine attributable to Davis. Specifically, the government
contends that the District Court failed to make adequate factual findings in support of
the methamphetamine quantity attributable to Davis. We review the District Court's
ultimate factual findings of drug quantity for clear error. United States v. Granados,
117 F.3d 1089, 1093 (8th Cir. 1997).
"The base offense level for drug offenses is determined by the quantity of
illegal drugs attributable to the defendant." United States v. Candie, 974 F.2d 61, 64
(8th Cir. 1992). "Quantity is an issue for the sentencing judge." Id. If the defendant
challenges the drug quantity calculated in the presentence investigation report (PSR),
the District Court must make a factual determination of the quantity of drugs
attributable to the defendant. Fed. R. Cr. P. 32(i)(3)(B) ("[F]or any disputed portion
of the [PSR] or other controverted matter" during sentencing, the District Court must
"rule on the dispute or determine that a ruling is unnecessary either because the matter
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will not affect sentencing, or because the court will not consider the matter in
sentencing."); Atkins, 250 F.3d at 1212; Candie, 974 F.2d at 64. The District Court
satisfies Rule 32(i)(3)(B) if it "makes a clear statement indicating 'it was relying on
its impression of the testimony of the witnesses at trial, coupled with its specific
rejection of the defendant's quantity objections.'" United States v. Villareal-Amarillas,
454 F.3d 925, 930 (8th Cir. 2006) (quoting United States v. Flores, 73 F.3d 826, 835
(8th Cir.), cert. denied, 518 U.S. 1027 (1996), petition for cert. filed, (U.S. Nov. 13,
2006) (No. 06-7772)). While the majority of appeals have involved a district court's
rejection of a defendant's drug-quantity objections, the same specificity requirements
apply to district courts when the government's drug-quantity calculations are rejected.
See, e.g., United States v. Randolph, 101 F.3d 607, 608–09 (8th Cir. 1996).
In this case, Davis disputed the PSR's drug quantity at sentencing, thereby
obligating the District Court to make specific factual findings supporting its ruling,
unless the drug quantity would not have affected sentencing or would not have been
considered. Drug quantity did affect Davis's sentencing, as the government's proposed
finding would have resulted in a base-offense level of at least 36. After hearing
arguments from both Davis and the government advocating different drug-quantity
determinations, discussing credibility issues of both the government and the defense
witnesses, and considering the relevant jury instruction not to consider sentencing
issues in its drug-quantity determination, the District Court found that 4.9 grams of
methamphetamine were attributable to Davis. The District Court stated, "That's what
I find, 4.9. I was comfortable with the jury determination on [drug-quantity] when it
came in, and I'm still comfortable with that, whether it's beyond a reasonable doubt
standard or a preponderance standard." Sent. Tr. at 28–29.
The District Court's findings satisfied Rule 32(i)(3)(B). While the government
contends that the District Court's statement was too conclusory to allow for
"meaningful appellate review," see Candie, 974 F.2d at 65, this narrow reading views
the statement in isolation and ignores the surrounding context of the District Court's
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ruling. The District Court satisfied the first Flores clear-statement requirement during
the exchange with government counsel when the District Court expressed its
reservations about the credibility of both the government and the defense witnesses.
The government argued for a higher drug-quantity determination based on the
testimony of Davis's co-conspirators, but the District Court declined the invitation to
rely on that testimony and asked, "All of the witnesses [the government is] relying on
[to prove drug quantity] really carried a lot of credibility baggage, did they not?"
Sent. Tr. at 26. The District Court followed this statement by noting that the defense
witnesses also possessed credibility shortcomings: "We had a lot of tales told in this
trial by people who had a lot of motive; is that a fair statement?" Id. These statements
came during arguments by both sides that fully addressed the applicable trial
testimony and were made by the trial judge who observed firsthand each witness's
testimony. These credibility determinations are entitled to great deference on appeal.
See, e.g., United States v. Funk, 985 F.2d 391, 394 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 508 U.S.
967 (1993). The District Court satisfied the second Flores clear-statement
requirement by specifically rejecting the government's drug-quantity calculations,
which were fully advanced by counsel but ultimately rejected in favor of a lower
determination consistent with the jury verdict.
This result is consistent with several cases that have held that a district court's
quantity findings were sufficient under Rule 32(i)(3)(B) and its precursors. See, e.g.,
United States v. Jimenez-Villasenor, 270 F.3d 554, 563 (8th Cir. 2001) (holding that
the district court's findings were sufficient where the court noted that the parties
offered competing drug-quantity calculations, heard the parties' respective arguments,
and ultimately based its finding on trial testimony and other evidence); United States
v. Brown, 91 F.3d 1109, 1112 (8th Cir. 1996) (holding that the district court's findings
were sufficient where the district court merely stated that it credited the trial testimony
with respect to the drug quantity); United States v. Scott, 91 F.3d 1058, 1062–63 (8th
Cir. 1996) (holding that the district court's findings were sufficient where the district
court expressly rejected the defendant's drug-quantity calculations and stated its
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reliance on trial testimony); United States v. Edwards, 994 F.2d 417, 423 (8th Cir.
1993) (holding that the district court's drug-quantity findings were sufficient where
"the district court's comments at the sentencings, and its specific overruling of
appellants' quantity objections to the PSRs, make it clear that the court credited [the
government witness's] quantity testimony for sentencing purposes"), cert. denied, 510
U.S. 1048 (1994). Conversely, this case is distinguishable from the cases on which
the government relies. See, e.g., United States v. Ortega, 150 F.3d 937, 945–46 (8th
Cir. 1998) (remanding where district court gave no indication whether the drug-
quantity finding was based on trial evidence), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1087 (1999);
Randolph, 101 F.3d at 609 (remanding where district court gave no explanation for
its drug-quantity finding); United States v. Coleman, 990 F.2d 419, 422 (8th Cir.
1993) (remanding where the district court did not specify which of the government's
alternative theories it adopted in its drug-quantity finding); United States v.
Alexander, 982 F.2d 262, 268 (8th Cir. 1992) (remanding where district court gave
no explanation as to its drug-quantity finding); Candie, 974 F.2d at 65 (remanding
where district court failed to credit or discredit the only drug-quantity witness's
testimony).
The District Court made specific witness-credibility determinations and
specifically rejected the government's proposed drug-quantity calculations. Unlike
the cases remanding for additional findings, the District Court here provided much
more than a conclusory statement (or no statement at all), as it considered all relevant
trial testimony and made a finding that it believed was most clearly supported by the
record, thereby satisfying Rule 32(i)(3)(B). We hold that the District Court's ultimate
finding of drug quantity was not clearly erroneous.
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VI.
For the reasons stated, the judgment of the District Court is affirmed.
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