U.S. v. Solorio-Tafolla, 02-3274.

• Decision Date: 03 April 2003
• Docket Number: No. 02-3274.,02-3274.
• Citation: 324 F.3d 964
• Parties: UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Fidel SOLORIO-TAFOLLA, Appellant.
• Court: U.S. Court of Appeals — Eighth Circuit

324 F.3d 964

UNITED STATES of America, Appellee, v. Fidel SOLORIO-TAFOLLA, Appellant.

No. 02-3274.

United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.

Submitted: February 13, 2003.

Filed: April 3, 2003.

J. Bruce Teichman, Omaha, NE, for appellant.

Janice M. Lipovsky, Special Asst. U.S. Atty., Lincoln, NE, for appellee.

Before LOKEN, Chief Judge, RILEY and SMITH, Circuit Judges.

RILEY, Circuit Judge.

Fidel Solorio-Tafolla (Solorio-Tafolla) appeals his conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2 and 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1) and 846 (2000). Solorio-Tafolla argues the district court¹ erred by admitting opinion testimony from a police detective regarding drug trafficking, without satisfying the Daubert standard for expert testimony. The district court did not err in finding the detective's testimony reliable and relevant. We affirm.

During Solorio-Tafolla's jury trial, Detective Sergeant Michael Garnett (Detective Garnett), a twenty-eight year law enforcement veteran, testified for the prosecution. Detective Garnett testified about various aspects of drug trafficking, including (1) the price of drugs in drug trafficking; (2) drug quantities obtained for personal use, as opposed to trafficking; (3) drug conspiracies and roles of drug traffickers; (4) how to manufacture methamphetamine; (5) drug investigation and wiretap operations; and (6) the lack of fingerprint evidence on packaging. Although Solorio-Tafolla objected during the trial to portions of Detective Garnett's testimony based on relevance and foundation, Solorio-Tafolla failed to object in the district court to the detective's status as an expert witness under Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 589, 595, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993), and Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 147, 149-51, 119 S.Ct. 1167, 143 L.Ed.2d 238 (1999). Therefore, we review Solorio-Tafolla's Daubert claim for plain error. See United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 731-32, 113 S.Ct. 1770, 123 L.Ed.2d 508 (1993); United States v. Kempis-Bonola, 287 F.3d 699, 701 (8th Cir. 2002).

"There is no requirement that the District Court always hold a Daubert hearing prior to qualifying an expert witness under Federal Rule of Evidence 702." United States v. Evans, 272 F.3d 1069 1094 (8th Cir.2001) (finding no abuse where officer testified about the operation of prostitution rings based on his education, training, and experience). "Federal Rule of Evidence 702 permits a district court to allow the testimony of a witness whose knowledge, skill, training, experience or education will assist a trier of fact in understanding an area involving specialized subject matter." United States v. Molina, 172 F.3d 1048, 1056 (8th Cir.1999). It is well within the discretion of a district court "to allow law enforcement officials to testify as experts concerning the modus operandi of drug dealers in areas concerning activities which are not something with which most jurors are familiar." Id. (citation omitted). Even so, under Daubert and Rule 403 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, the probative value of the expert testimony must not be substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of issues, or misleading the jury. Daubert, 509 U.S. at 595, 113 S.Ct. 2786.

Detective Garnett had been employed by the Lincoln Police Department for 28 years and was assigned to the narcotics unit for the last 20 years. His assignment included the supervision of plain-clothed investigators, and he assisted in investigations, interviewing suspects and witnesses, conducting surveillance and serving search warrants. Detective Garnett had received specialized training from the...