UNITED STATES v. BUMMER (2018)

MEMORANDUM **

Scott Mitchell Bummer appeals his convictions for conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. See 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A); 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), 846. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

1. Bummer’s due process rights were not violated by his absence from the December 8, 2015 telephonic conference, at which he was represented by counsel. First, the telephonic conference was not a critical stage in the proceedings so as to require Bummer’s presence because it dealt primarily with the procedural issue of how to conduct a Franks hearing. United States v. McChesney, 871 F.3d 801, 808–09 (9th Cir. 2017).¹ And even if it were a critical stage, “[n]othing in the record suggests that [Bummer’s] presence on the line during the call itself would have contributed in any way to the proceeding’s fairness, and so no due process violation occurred.” Id. at 809; see also United States v. Veatch, 674 F.2d 1217, 1225–26 (9th Cir. 1981).

2. Nor did the district court err in denying Bummer’s motion to suppress. The district court found that Amato’s police interview did not indicate that he was impaired in any way that would compromise the credibility of his statements. That finding was not clearly erroneous. See, e.g., United States v. Elliott, 322 F.3d 710, 714 (9th Cir. 2003). And we agree with the district court that Amato’s statements—together with the cell phone ping information, visual surveillance, and the discovery of methamphetamine on Amato—were enough to support probable cause, even after excising any potentially tainted information regarding informants. See United States v. Barajas-Avalos, 377 F.3d 1040, 1058 (9th Cir. 2004).

AFFIRMED.

FOOTNOTES

1.   “In determining whether a proceeding qualifies as a ‘critical stage,’ we consider three factors: (1) whether ‘failure to pursue strategies or remedies results in a loss of significant rights,’ (2) whether ‘skilled counsel would be useful in helping the accused understand the legal confrontation,’ and (3) whether ‘the proceeding tests the merits of the accused’s case.’ ” McChesney, 871 F.3d at 808 (quoting Hovey v. Ayers, 458 F.3d 892, 901 (9th Cir. 2006) ). More specifically, because Bummer was represented by counsel, only the first and third factors could be relevant here. Id.