The People v. Esparza CA2/6

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Russell Phillips, a self-described methamphetamine addict, obtained methamphetamine from Molina through drug transactions conducted at Molina's Quartz Hill apartment. In April 2010, Phillips was visiting Molina daily. In the Quartz Hill apartment, Molina kept firearms as well as notebooks documenting drug sales. Molina's bedroom also contained a monitor to receive video from a surveillance camera positioned outside the apartment. Molina informed Phillips that the camera would warn of the approach of law enforcement.

2 Esparza lived in a motor home parked in front of Molina's apartment. Phillips referred to Esparza as "the doorman" because he answered Molina's door for drug customers. If a customer arrived while Molina was busy with another customer, Esparza would advise the second customer to wait. At times, Esparza stayed in the second bedroom of Molina's apartment. Phillips testified that Molina obtained heroin and methamphetamine from drug runners arriving from Mexico. Molina, Esparza, and the drug runners spoke in the Spanish language. Phillips also heard Molina sing of the Sinaloa region, an area of Mexico noted for the…