Narrative Opinion Summary
The case involves an appellant who challenged his conviction in the Eastern District of New York for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). The appellant entered a conditional guilty plea, preserving the right to appeal the denial of his motion to suppress evidence obtained from a search following his arrest. On June 7, 1999, the appellant was observed riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, leading to his arrest and the discovery of a firearm. The District Court denied his motion to suppress the firearm, and the Court of Appeals affirmed this decision. The appellant contested the factual basis of his guilty plea, arguing the court failed to verify the firearm's connection to interstate commerce, as required. However, the court found the plea was adequately supported by the appellant's admissions. Additionally, the appellant claimed his arrest was unlawful due to a lack of reasonable suspicion. The court determined that while the initial reliance on a statute was incorrect, the arrest was justified under a different provision, making the search valid. The District Court's judgment was affirmed, upholding the conviction and the denial of the motion to suppress the evidence.
Legal Issues Addressed
Factual Basis for Guilty Plea under Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 11(f)subscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The District Court adequately confirmed the factual basis for the appellant's guilty plea, as required by Rule 11(f).
Reasoning: The court concluded that the factual basis for the plea was sufficiently established, thereby rejecting McFadden's Rule 11(f) challenge.
Lawful Arrest and Search Incident to Arrest under New York Lawsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellant's arrest and the subsequent search were deemed lawful under New York law, despite the initial incorrect application of a different statute.
Reasoning: The denial of McFadden's motion to suppress the firearm is upheld, although the basis for the denial is disputed.
Motion to Suppress Evidencesubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellant's motion to suppress evidence of the firearm was denied by the District Court, a decision affirmed by the Court of Appeals.
Reasoning: The Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's decision.
Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)subscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellant was convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon, which is a violation of federal law.
Reasoning: Samuel McFadden appealed a conviction from the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York for possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
Traffic Infractions under New York City Administrative Codesubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellant's conduct of riding a bicycle on the sidewalk was classified as a traffic infraction, providing probable cause for arrest.
Reasoning: Section 19-176(b) constitutes a traffic infraction, and the officers had probable cause to arrest McFadden, making the firearm a lawful result of the search.