United States v. Miranda

This appeal presents the issue whether Jesus Miranda, who acquired seven firearms in exchange for 50 grams of heroin, possessed a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A). Along with every other circuit court that has decided this issue, we conclude that bartering drugs for firearms furthers trafficking in drugs. We affirm Miranda’s conviction.

I. BACKGROUND

In 2009, Miranda offered to purchase firearms from Eric Hernandez. Unbeknownst to Miranda, Hernandez was a special agent on a task force to prevent trafficking in narcotics and weapons between Florida…