People v. Lindsey CA2/3

INTRODUCTION

A jury convicted Zaveon D. Lindsey of carrying a loaded firearm and of spectating at an illegal motor vehicle speed contest, and found true that the firearm was not registered to Lindsey. Lindsey’s appellate counsel filed a brief under People v. Wende (1979) 25 Cal.3d 436 (Wende) asking us to independently review the record. We affirm.

BACKGROUND

One evening in September 2022, California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Fernando Larez was informed that local police in Pomona, California, had requested CHP assistance in responding to a street takeover. A street takeover is “essentially comprised of a large number of pedestrians and/or vehicles that block different roadways . . . for the purpose of drag racing or performing illegal doughnuts.” When Officer Larez arrived at the street takeover, he witnessed a Lexus “performing doughnuts” in a cul-de-sac while approximately 50 spectators looked on. Several other vehicles were also parked nearby. Many attendees fled, but officers detained 20 to 25 of the spectators, including Lindsey. The vehicles at the street takeover blocked a roadway in violation of Vehicle Code section 22651, subdivision (b). Officer Larez testified…