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United States v. John Albert Brooks, 120 F.3d 271, 10th Cir. (1997)
United States v. John Albert Brooks, 120 F.3d 271, 10th Cir. (1997)
3d 271
97 CJ C.A.R. 1252
NOTICE: Although citation of unpublished opinions remains unfavored,
unpublished opinions may now be cited if the opinion has persuasive value on a
material issue, and a copy is attached to the citing document or, if cited in oral
argument, copies are furnished to the Court and all parties. See General Order of
November 29, 1993, suspending 10th Cir. Rule 36.3 until December 31, 1995, or
further order.
Mr. Brooks appeals his conviction for possession of phencyclidine (PCP) with
intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), for which he was
sentenced to 144 months imprisonment to be followed by five years of
supervised release. He contends that the district court erred in denying his
motion to suppress physical evidence, and that his conviction is not supported
by sufficient evidence. Our jurisdiction arises under 28 U.S.C. 1291 and we
affirm.
Mr. Brooks argues that the PCP police officers found in a container in his
Mr. Brooks argues that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated because his
encounter with the police amounted to an investigative detention without
reasonable suspicion, and the search of the container required a warrant. We
review the district court's findings of fact for clear error, and we review de
novo the determination of whether a search or seizure occurred. United States
v. Hernandez, 93 F.3d 1493, 1498 (10th Cir.1996). Based upon the casual
nature of the encounter and the complete lack of any factors suggesting
compliance with the officers' requests was required, the district court found a
consensual encounter from start to finish, until the arrest. Thus, no Fourth
Amendment interest was implicated. Florida v. Bostick, 501 U.S. 429, 434
(1991). The district court's factual findings are supported by the evidence and
its legal conclusion is unassailably correct.
Once Mr. Brooks consented to the officers' search of his suitcase for drugs, the
officers did not exceed the scope of consent when they also searched containers
within his luggage. See Florida v. Jimeno, 500 U.S. 248, 250-51; United States
v. Harfst, No. 95-2164, 1996 WL 131501, at ---4-5 (10th Cir. Mar. 25, 1996)
(unpublished order and judgment); United States v. Kim, 27 F.3d 947, 956 (3d
Cir.1994), cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1110 (1995). "[W]hen one gives general
permission to search for drugs in a confined area, that permission extends any
items within that area that a reasonable person would believe to contain drugs."
Kim, 27 F.3d at 956.
Mr. Brooks also claims that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's
verdict. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, we
find that a reasonable jury could have found Mr. Brooks guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). The evidence
adduced at trial established that Mr. Brooks hid a large quantity of PCP in his
suitcase, from which a jury could conclude that he knowingly possessed PCP.
See United States v. Wood, 57 F.3d 913, 918 (10th Cir.1995). The large
quantity of PCP--enough to produce over 5,000 PCP-laced cigarettes--also
supported the inference that Mr. Brooks intended to distribute it. See id.
6
After examining the briefs and the appellate record, this three-judge panel has
determined unanimously that oral argument would not be of material assistance
in the determination of this appeal. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a); 10th Cir. R.
34.1.9. The cause is therefore ordered submitted without oral argument