Whatley v. State

SULLIVAN, Justice.

The Legislature has declared that if a person commits certain drug offenses within 1,000 feet of a "youth program center," the penal consequences are enhanced. Defendant Walker Whatley committed such an offense within 1,000 feet of a church with an active youth program. The church constituted a "youth program center" for purposes of the enhancement.

Background

The facts most favorable to the convietion indicate that in March, 2008, Whatley was arrested at his home on a warrant issued in an unrelated case. During a search incident to arrest, the arresting officer discovered a…