U.S. v. Harris, 95-2712

• Decision Date: 08 January 1996
• Docket Number: No. 95-2712,95-2712
• Citation: 74 F.3d 1244
• Parties: NOTICE: Eighth Circuit Rule 28A(k) governs citation of unpublished opinions and provides that no party may cite an opinion not intended for publication unless the cases are related by identity between the parties or the causes of action. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Kevin Lamar HARRIS, also known as Littleman, Appellant.
• Court: U.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit

Page 1244

74 F.3d 1244

NOTICE: Eighth Circuit Rule 28A(k) governs citation of unpublished opinions and provides that no party may cite an opinion not intended for publication unless the cases are related by identity between the parties or the causes of action.

UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Kevin Lamar HARRIS, also known as Littleman, Appellant.

No. 95-2712.

United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.

Submitted Jan. 2, 1996.

Decided Jan. 8, 1996.

Before BOWMAN, BEAM, and MURPHY, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM.

Kevin Lamar Harris, an African-American, challenges the 120-month sentence imposed by the district court ¹ after he pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine base (crack) and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute, in violation of 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1). We affirm.

When Harris was arrested, following his purchase of cocaine from a confidential informant, police officers recovered a semi-automatic pistol from the driver's side floorboard of the car Harris was driving. Harris stipulated that the gun was loaded with a clip containing eleven rounds and a live round in the chamber. Harris's presentence report contained a recommendation for a two-level dangerous-weapon enhancement under U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1(b)(1). Harris objected, contending that the gun was not his. In support, he introduced his sister's testimony at sentencing that she bought the gun and placed it under the seat when she borrowed the car from another sister the day before Harris was arrested. The district court overruled Harris's objection.

On appeal, Harris challenges the dangerous-weapon enhancement, arguing that it is not supported by any evidence. We reject his argument and conclude the district court did not clearly err in assessing the enhancement. See United States v. Darden, Nos. 94-3386/3448/3449/3451/3452/3453/3456, slip op. at 69, 1995 WL 689372 (8th Cir. Nov. 22, 1995) (standard of review). The Guidelines provide for a two-level enhancement if the defendant possessed a firearm. U.S.S.G. Sec. 2D1.1(b)(1). The enhancement "should be applied if the weapon was present, unless it is clearly improbable that the weapon was connected with the offense"; the enhancement "reflects the increased danger of violence when drug traffickers possess weapons." Id. comment. (n. 3).

For purposes of section 2D1.1(b)(1), and contrary to Harris's argument, the government did not have to show he used the gun ²; although the gun's mere presence would not support the enhancement, constructive possession would. See United States v. Turpin, 92O F.2d 1377, 1386 (8th Cir.1990), cert. denied, 499 U.S. 953 (1991); see also United States v. Hayes, 15 F.3d 125, 127 (8th Cir.) (defining constructive possession), cert. denied, 114 S.Ct. 2718 (1994). Even if, as he contends, Harris did not have the gun on his person when he bought the cocaine, the gun was readily accessible to him, it was loaded and had a bullet in the chamber, and it was near the cocaine when he tried to elude authorities. See Turpin, 920 F.2d at 1386-87 (finding sufficient nexus where gun observed "between" co-defendants seated in car); United States v. Figueroa, 900 F.2d 1211, 1218 (8th Cir.) (upholding dangerous-weapon enhancement where gun found under defendant's car seat), cert. denied, 496 U.S. 942 (1990). Moreover, the district court was free to discredit the testimony of Harris's sister. See United States v. Wyatt, 19 F.3d 1283, 1284 (8th Cir.1994) (per curiam); see also United States v. Adipietro, 983 F.2d 1468, 1472 (8th Cir.1993) (district court's credibility determinations virtually unreviewable on appeal).

Next, Harris argues the district court erred in refusing to sentence him in accordance with a proposed amendment to the Sentencing Guidelines--which would have eliminated the 100-to-1 ratio between the penalties for crack cocaine and powder cocaine--forwarded by the United States Sentencing Commission to Congress for its consideration. We conclude the district court properly refused to sentence Harris in accordance with the proposed amendment, which was subsequently rejected by Congress. ³ See United States v. Lamere, 980 F.2d 506, 512 (8th Cir.1992) (district court could not have erred by failing to consider application note that was merely proposed but never adopted).

Finally, Harris contends that the distinction between the penalties for crack cocaine and powder cocaine has a disparate impact upon African-Americans in violation of the Equal Protection Clause. He points to the United States Sentencing Commission's February 1995 conclusion that the 100-to-1 ratio is not justified, and urges us to reconsider our decision in United States v....