United States v. Hamilton

Defendant-Appellant Clive Anthony Hamilton appeals his jury conviction and 360-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute marijuana, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846. Mr. Hamilton challenges his conviction on several grounds, asserting (1) that there was insufficient evidence to establish venue in Kansas because he was not a member of the drug trafficking conspiracy that had its drugs seized by law enforcement in Kansas, (2) that evidence should have been suppressed because of Miranda violations and because it arose from an arrest without probable cause, and (3) that a witnesss reference at trial to Mr. Hamiltons post-arrest silence required a mistrial. He also challenges his sentence, arguing that the base offense level was determined using the wrong drug quantity and that the evidence did not support a leadership role enhancement. Exercising jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742, we AFFIRM.