Lewis ALLEN, Appellant-Defendant, v. STATE of Indiana, Appellee-Plaintiff.
No. 49A04-0212-CR-605.
Court of Appeals of Indiana.
Nov. 13, 2003.
Steve Carter, Attorney General of Indiana, Ellen H. Meilaender, Deputy Attorney General, Indianapolis, IN, Attorneys for Appellee.
OPINION
RILEY, Judge.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellant-Defendant, Lewis Allen (Allen), appeals his convictions for Count I, possession of cocaine and a firearm, a Class C felony,
We affirm.
ISSUES
Allen raises three issues on appeal, which we restate as follows:
- Whether the trial court erred in denying Allen‘s pre-trial Motion to Suppress;
- Whether there was sufficient evidence to convict Allen of Count II, possession of cocaine, a Class D felony; and
- Whether
I.C. § 35-48-4-6 is unconstitutionally overbroad as applied to elevate the punishment for possession of cocaine with a firearm where the possession of the firearm is in the Appellant‘s own home.
On May 25, 2001, Indianapolis Police Department Officers (the “officers“) executed a search warrant at 1226 Racquet Club South Drive, Apartment B (the “apartment“), in Indianapolis, Indiana. Marion County Superior Court Judge Mark Stoner issued the search warrant pursuant to a probable cause affidavit submitted by Indianapolis Police Department Detective Jeffrey L. Wager (Detective Wager). The officers obtained the warrant, which authorized them to search for weapons, on the same day and in the context of an investigation into a series of murders.
That day, Detective Wager and members of the Indianapolis Police Department SWAT Team canine units (SWAT Team) served the warrant at the apartment at approximately 8:00 p.m. After knocking twice and announcing their presence, the SWAT Team made a forced entry through the apartment‘s front door. Upon entering the apartment, Indianapolis Police Officer Ted Fries (Officer Fries) saw Allen standing in the living room, pointing a loaded .40 caliber handgun at the officers. The officers also noticed the presence of two other men, Booker Cross (Cross) and Christopher Edmond (Edmond) in the apartment. Detective Wager smelled and saw marijuana on a table in the living room of the apartment.
During the subsequent search, Detective Wager and Indianapolis Police Department Officer Todd Lappin (Officer Lappin) each searched a different bedroom. Officer Wager found paperwork belonging to Cross in the bedroom he searched. While searching the other bedroom, Officer Lappin noticed that the bathroom was attached to the bedroom. Officer Lappin decided to search the bathroom first. Inside the bathroom, Officer Lappin saw a cigar box and opened it to see if the cigar box contained a gun. However, Officer Lappin found a rock of cocaine and a receipt for the purchase of a handgun in Allen‘s name. In the attached bedroom, Officer Lappin found two documents bearing Allen‘s name and the 1226 Racquet Club South Apartment B address. The officers also discovered that Allen‘s name was on the lease for the apartment.
On May 29, 2001, the State filed an information against Allen charging him with Count I, possession of cocaine and a firearm, a Class C felony,
On August 3, 2001, a hearing on Allen‘s Motion to Suppress was held. At the hearing, Allen entered the search warrant into evidence and the trial court took the matter under advisement. On August 8, 2001, the trial court denied Allen‘s Motion to Suppress. On August 20, 2001, Allen filed his Motion to Certify denial of his Motion to Suppress for Interlocutory Appeal. On December 11, 2001, this court denied Allen‘s Petition for Interlocutory Appeal.
On August 19, 2002, Allen waived his right to a jury trial. On September 30, 2002, a bench trial was held. At the conclusion of the trial, the trial court found Allen guilty of Counts I and II and acquit-
Allen now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Allen‘s Pre-Trial Motion to Suppress
Allen argues that the trial court erred by denying his Motion to Suppress. Specifically, Allen asserts that the police did not rely upon a valid search warrant when executing the search. Allen alleges that the warrant was defective because it was based upon anonymous, unverified information from untrustworthy sources. Allen also argues that because the search warrant was based on stale information, there was a lack of a nexus between the crime alleged and the place to be searched and the objects to be seized. Consequently, Allen maintains that the items seized as a result of the search were fruits of an invalid search and should have been excluded from consideration at his trial.
Conversely, the State argues that the trial court properly denied Allen‘s Motion to Suppress. Specifically, the State contends that the police relied upon a valid search warrant when executing the search. As a result, the State maintains that the evidence seized as a result of the search was properly considered as evidence at trial.
A. Standard of Review
In deciding whether to issue a search warrant, “[t]he task of the issuing magistrate is simply to make a practical, commonsense decision whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit . . . there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.” Query v. State, 745 N.E.2d 769, 770 (Ind.2001) (quoting Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983)). The duty of the reviewing court is to determine whether the magistrate had a “substantial basis” for concluding that probable cause existed. Id. It is clear that a substantial basis requires the reviewing court, with significant deference to the magistrate‘s determination, to focus on whether reasonable inferences drawn from the totality of the evidence support the determination of probable cause. Houser v. State, 678 N.E.2d 95, 99 (Ind.1997). A “reviewing court” for these purposes includes both the trial court ruling on a motion to suppress and an appellate court reviewing that decision. Id. In this review, we consider only the evidence presented to the issuing magistrate and not post hoc justifications for the search. Query, 745 N.E.2d at 771.
B. The Search Warrant
First, Allen argues that the warrant used by the police officers was supported by uncorroborated hearsay. Specifically, Allen alleges that the warrant was defective because it was based upon anonymous, unverified information from untrustworthy sources. Conversely, the State asserts that the search warrant provided sufficient evidence to establish probable cause and did not rely upon uncorroborated hearsay testimony.
As mentioned above, reviewing courts, which include both the trial court ruling on a motion to suppress evidence and the appellate court reviewing that decision, are to focus on whether a “substantial basis” existed for a warrant authorizing a search or seizure, and doubtful cases
In the instant case, Allen attacks the content of the affidavit, contending that the affidavit fails to comply with the mandates of
In dealing with witnesses who have personally witnessed the murders, our supreme court has previously held that eyewitnesses and crime victims are considered presumptively reliable unless circumstances exist which call into question their credibility. See Pawloski v. State, 269 Ind. 350, 380 N.E.2d 1230, 1232 (1978). Thus, the information that witnesses identified Kendrick Morris (Morris), Steven Kendall (Kendall), Wesley Young (Young), and Jamal Kirklen (Kirklen) (collectively the “suspects“) as the shooters in the string of murders is presumptively reliable. Further, the record shows that information given to the police from the witnesses was sufficiently corroborated. See id. at 1233 (the court stated that the requirement for corroboration is not totally eliminated). For instance, the record reveals that one victim used the term, “the Gary Boys” to refer to the suspects. The officers, in turn, verified that the murder suspect Kirklen, is from Gary. A further review of the record reflects that the police discovered that Kirklen had two cousins from Gary who were living in the apartment that the officers requested to search. Moreover, the record is devoid of evidence that circumstances existed to call into question the witnesses’ credibility. See id. Therefore, we find that the witnesses’ information was sufficiently reliable.
Furthermore, our supreme court has squarely held that “[d]eclarations against penal interest can furnish sufficient basis for establishing the credibility of an information within the meaning of Indiana Code Section 35-33-5-2(b)(1).” Houser, 678 N.E.2d at 100. In Houser, the affidavit established the credibility of the source in part because the source‘s statements suggested a conspiracy between the source and the other suspects in the murders. See id. This court likewise concluded in Nash v. State, 433 N.E.2d 807, 809-10 (Ind.Ct.App.1982), that hearsay from an anonymous informant was sufficiently reliable where it indicated that the informant admitted committing a burglary and delivering stolen items to the defendant‘s residence. We concluded there was substantial authority to support a determination that statements against penal interest are reliable indicia of credibility to sufficiently support a finding of probable cause:
[c]ommon sense in the important daily affairs of life would induce a prudent and disinterested observer to credit these statements. People do not lightly admit a crime and place critical evidence in the hands of the police in the form of their own admissions. Admissions of crime, like admissions against proprietary interests, carry their own indicia of
credibility sufficient at least to support a finding of probable cause to search. Iddings, 772 N.E.2d at 1014 (quoting United States v. Harris, 403 U.S. 573, 584, 91 S.Ct. 2075, 29 L.Ed.2d 723 (1971)).
Pursuant to this authority, we conclude that the hearsay statements of several of the suspects used in the affidavit were declarations against their penal interests. In particular, the record reveals that some of the information in the affidavit was learned from Morris, Kendall, Young, and Kirklen. The record shows that these four men were feuding with the victims of the murders and that the victims previously robbed and shot at this group of men. The record further reflects that these four men were friends and hung out together. Just as in Houser and Nash, the suspects implicated themselves in the commission of the crimes, thus providing a recognized basis for concluding that the informant was a credible source and the information they provided was reliable.
Therefore, giving significant deference to the judge who issued the search warrant, we conclude there was a substantial basis upon which to conclude there was probable cause to believe the weapons were at the apartment. See Iddings, 772 N.E.2d at 1012. Consequently, we find that the trial court did not err in denying Allen‘s Motion to Suppress.
C. Stale Information
Next, Allen claims that the warrant was based on stale information. It is a fundamental principle of search and seizure law that the information given to the magistrate or judge in the application for a search warrant must be timely. Breitweiser v. State, 704 N.E.2d 496, 499 (Ind.Ct.App.1999); see Raymer v. State, 482 N.E.2d 253, 255 (Ind.1985) (“[s]tale information only gives rise to a mere suspicion and not a reasonable belief, especially when the items to be obtained in a search are easily concealed and moved“). Accordingly, probable cause must be found to exist at the time the warrant issues, and the facts in support of the warrant must be so close to the time of the issue of the warrant as to justify a finding of probable cause at that time. See id.
While it is true that the age of information supporting the application for a warrant can be a critical factor when determining whether there is probable cause, our courts have not established a precise rule as to how much time may elapse between obtaining the facts upon which the search warrant is based and the issuance of the warrant. Id. Therefore, probable cause is not determined by merely counting the number of days between the occurrence of the facts relied upon and the warrant‘s issue. Id. Instead, the staleness of the information must be judged by the facts and circumstances of each case. Id.
In the present case, the officers were searching for the weapons used in a series of shootings that occurred between April 8 and May 17, 2001. The record reflects that the officers obtained and executed the warrant on May 25, 2001. The record further shows that the information connecting the suspects of the shootings to the apartment was discovered during police interviews with those suspects on May 17, 2001. Our review of the record reveals that one suspect told the officers that the other three suspects kept their guns at a safe location rather than carrying them around for fear of being stopped by the officers.
Moreover, although the shootings occurred two months prior to the execution of the search warrant, we have previously held that handguns and rifles are the type of property that a person reasonably could
D. Nexus Between the Crime Alleged and the Place Searched
Allen further argues that the affidavit failed to establish a sufficient nexus between the items sought and the location to be searched. Conversely, the State argues that Allen waived this issue for our review because it is raised for the first time on appeal. However, we reject the State‘s contention. In particular, our review of the record shows that Allen raised this issue sufficiently in his motion to suppress in paragraphs 4, 5, and 7, and again during trial. Therefore, we will review the merits of Allen‘s claim.
(a) Except as provided in section 8 of this chapter, no warrant for search or arrest shall be issued until there is filed with the judge an affidavit:
(1) particularly describing:
(A) the house or place to be searched and the things to be searched for; or
(B) particularly describing the person to be arrested;
(2) alleging substantially the offense in relation thereto and that the affiant believes and has good cause to believe that:
(A) the things as are to be searched for are there concealed; or
(B) the person to be arrested committed the offense; and
(3) setting forth the facts then in knowledge of the affiant or information based on hearsay, constituting the probable cause.
See Hensley v. State, 778 N.E.2d 484, 487-88 (Ind.Ct.App.2002). Allen now contends that the affidavit fails to provide probable cause as required under
In the instant case, the record reveals that the officers were looking for weapons that were used in a series of murders. Although Allen was not a named suspect, his cousin, Kirklen, was a named suspect in the murders. Nevertheless, our review of the record reveals that the affidavit clearly establishes the nexus between the crimes committed with the weapons that were sought and the apartment that was searched.
As previously shown, the affidavit set forth the fact that the occupant of the apartment, Allen, was related to one of the suspects in the murders. The affidavit further sets forth the fact that Kirklen, Kendall, Morris, and Young, the suspects,
Based upon this information, we can say that it was reasonable for Detective Wager to believe that the weapons would be found at the apartment belonging to one of the suspects’ cousins and where at least one suspect spent a significant amount of time. Therefore, we find that a reasonably prudent person could make a practical, commonsense determination, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit, that there was a fair probability that the weapons used in the series of murders would be found at the apartment. See Hensley, 778 N.E.2d at 487. Accordingly, we reject Allen‘s argument that the affidavit lacked a sufficient nexus between the items to be searched and the place to be searched.
E. Scope of the Search Warrant
Allen further asserts that the search was improper because it was executed pursuant to a general warrant which granted unbridled discretion to the police regarding the items sought in violation of the search and seizure clauses of the United States and Indiana Constitutions. Specifically, Allen argues that the officers exceeded the scope of their authority under the warrant by searching inside of the cigar box for weapons.
The
General warrants, of course, are prohibited by the
Fourth Amendment . “[T]he problem [posed by the general warrant] is not that of intrusion per se, but of a general, exploratory rummaging in a person‘s belongings . . . [TheFourth Amendment addresses the problem] by requiring a ‘particular description’ of the things to be seized.” This requirement “‘makes general searches . . . impossible and prevents the seizure of one thing under a warrant describing another. As to what is to be taken, nothing is left to the discretion of the officer executing the warrant.‘”
Id. (citing Andresen v. Maryland, 427 U.S. 463, 480, 96 S.Ct. 2737, 2748, 49 L.Ed.2d 627, 642 (1976)). A warrant that leaves the executing officer with discretion is invalid. Id.
In this case, the warrant listed the items to be seized as follows: “[firearms] of the following description: .45 caliber pistols, 9mm pistols, 7.62 x 39 rifles, .22 caliber pistols, and other .45 caliber pistols and any indic [sic] of crime.” (State‘s Ex. 1) Thus, the warrant authorized the officers to search for those types of weapons. Allen now claims that Officer Lappin exceeded this scope, by looking inside the cigar box found in Allen‘s bathroom. Allen contends that the officers knew that the guns listed in the warrant could not be found inside the cigar box.
However, we find that Allen‘s argument is without merit. It is our belief that a pistol is an object that reasonably might fit inside a cigar box. In fact, Officer Lappin testified at trial that he reasonably believed the cigar box could have contained a
Based upon all of the above, we find that a reasonable inference from the totality of the evidence supported the judge‘s determination that probable cause existed to issue the warrant. Houser, 678 N.E.2d at 99. We further conclude that the officers relied upon a valid warrant when executing the search. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court properly denied Allen‘s Motion to Suppress.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Next, Allen contends that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to support his conviction. Specifically, he argues that the State failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that he actually possessed the cocaine. Allen further asserts that, he was licensed to carry the handgun.1
Our standard of review for sufficiency claims is well settled. In reviewing sufficiency of the evidence claims, this court does not reweigh the evidence or assess the credibility of witnesses. Cox v. State, 774 N.E.2d 1025, 1028-29 (Ind.Ct.App.2002). We consider only the evidence most favorable to the judgment, together with all reasonable and logical inferences that can be drawn therefrom. Alspach v. State, 755 N.E.2d 209, 210 (Ind.Ct.App.2001), trans. denied. The conviction will be affirmed if there is substantial evidence of probative value to support the conclusion of the trier of fact. Cox, 774 N.E.2d at 1028-29. A verdict may be sustained based on circumstantial evidence alone if that circumstantial evidence supports a reasonable inference of guilt. Maul v. State, 731 N.E.2d 438, 439 (Ind.2000).
(a) A person who, without a valid prescription or order of a practitioner acting in the course of the practitioner‘s professional practice, knowingly, or intentionally possesses cocaine (pure or adulterated), a narcotic drug (pure or adulterated) classified in schedule I or II, or methamphetamine (pure or adulterated) commits possession of cocaine, a narcotic drug, or methamphetamine, a Class D felony, except as provided in subsection (b).
(b) The offense is:
(1) a Class C felony if:
(A) the amount of the drug involved (pure or adulterated) weighs three (3) grams or more, or
(B) the person was also in possession of a firearm (as defined in IC [§] 35-47-1-5);
Thus, in order to convict Allen of possession of cocaine and a firearm, the State was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Allen 1) knowingly or intention-
In the absence of actual possession of drugs and firearms, constructive possession may support a conviction for a drug offense. Goliday v. State, 708 N.E.2d 4, 6 (Ind.1999). Constructive possession will support a possession conviction if the State shows that the defendant had both the capability and the intent to maintain dominion and control over the contraband. Mitchell v. State, 745 N.E.2d 775, 789 (Ind.2001); Allen v. State, 787 N.E.2d 473, 482 (Ind.Ct.App.2003). “Control in this sense concerns the defendant‘s relation to the place where the substance is found: whether the defendant has the power, by way of legal authority or in a practical sense, to control the place where, or the item in which, the substance is found.” Id. (quoting Martin v. State, 175 Ind.App. 503, 507, 372 N.E.2d 1194, 1197 (1978)). “Proof of a possessory interest in the premises in which the illegal drugs are found is adequate to show the capability to maintain control and dominion over the items in question.” Id. (quoting Davenport v. State, 464 N.E.2d 1302, 1307 (Ind.1984)). A defendant‘s possessory interest in the premises does not require his actual ownership of the premises. Id. “[A] house or apartment used as a residence is controlled by the person who lives in it, and that person may be found in control of any drugs discovered therein, whether he is the owner, tenant, or merely an invitee.” Id.
In this case, the record reveals that the cocaine was found in a cigar box in a bathroom that was attached to a bedroom. Inside the cigar box, the police also found a receipt for the purchase of a handgun in Allen‘s name. The State further presented evidence that Allen received his mail at the address where the drugs and firearm were located. In particular, the record reflects that other documents bearing Allen‘s name were found in the bedroom that attached to the bathroom where the cocaine was seized. Therefore, we find that Allen had the capability to maintain dominion and control over the drugs and firearm found in his apartment. Allen, 787 N.E.2d at 483.
Nevertheless, in arguing that there was insufficient evidence to establish possession, Allen contends that there was at least one other person who resided and was present at his apartment at the time of the search. Where a person‘s control is non-exclusive, intent to maintain dominion and control may be inferred from additional circumstances that indicate that the person knew of the presence of the contraband. These additional circumstance include (1) incriminating statements by the defendant; (2) attempted flight or furtive gestures; (3) a drug manufacturing setting; (4) proximity of the defendant to the drugs; (5) drugs in plain view; and (6) location of the drugs in close proximity to items owned by the defendant. Ladd v. State, 710 N.E.2d 188, 190 (Ind.Ct.App.1999).
Here, the record reveals that the State knocked several times on the apartment door and announced their presence before entering the apartment. The record also shows that once the officers entered the apartment, Allen was pointing a handgun at them. We find that this evidence is similar to a furtive gesture. Moreover, as we previously held, the officers were within their authority under the warrant to look inside the cigar box. Thus, once they looked inside the cigar box, the cocaine
Based upon these circumstances, the trial court could have inferred Allen‘s intent to maintain dominion and control over the cocaine seized as a result of the search of the apartment. See Ladd, 710 N.E.2d at 191. Further, because Allen resided in the apartment and apparently in the specific bedroom in which these items were found, we conclude that he also had the capability to maintain dominion and control over the cocaine. We therefore find that the State presented sufficient evidence to establish that Allen knowingly possessed the cocaine found in his apartment.
III. Indiana Code Section 35-48-4-6
Lastly, Allen alleges that
A challenge to the constitutionality of a criminal statute must be raised by a motion to dismiss prior to trial. Wiggins v. State, 727 N.E.2d 1, 5 (Ind.Ct.App.2000).
Here, the record reveals that Allen did not file a motion to dismiss challenging the constitutionality of
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court properly convicted Al-
Affirmed.
FRIEDLANDER, J., concurs.
SULLIVAN, J., concurs with opinion.
SULLIVAN, Judge, concurring.
I would first note that Counts I and II did not allege separate and distinct crimes. Rather, Count I alleged possession of cocaine as also alleged in Count II, but added that Allen also possessed a handgun at the time, thereby elevating the offense from a Class D felony to a Class C felony. The only viable conviction and that upon which Allen was sentenced was for the elevated Class C felony.
With regard to Issue I(A) concerning our standard of review, I would add a parenthetical note to the majority‘s correct statement of the standard as applied to the case before us. That parenthetical note is to the effect that if the trial court‘s review of the magistrate‘s issuance of a warrant results in suppression of the evidence so seized, the deference to be given by the appellate court review in an interlocutory appeal by the State, may, to a degree, be conflicted. See Breitweiser v. State, 704 N.E.2d 496, 502 (Ind.Ct.App.1999) (Sullivan, J., concurring).