People v. Pinkham CA2/8

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On the morning of February 11, 2013, Long Beach police officers pulled over a pick-up truck driven by Pinkham.3 The officers searched Pinkham and found a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun in his waistband. The gun was loaded with a fully loaded magazine containing seven bullets with one round in the chamber. Inside the vehicle, the officers found a second fully loaded seven-round magazine that fit Pinkham’s handgun in a briefcase. Additionally, the officers found a hidden pouch that contained multiple illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia: more than 24 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 5 grams of heroin, 11 unused syringes, and a spoon encrusted with heroin residue. Pinkham was charged with six counts: (1) transporting methamphetamine; (2) possession for sale of methamphetamine; (3) possession of heroin; (4) possession of a firearm by a felon; (5) unlawful possession of ammunition; and (6) possession of heroin while armed with a firearm. As for count 1, Pinkham was also charged with being armed with a firearm. In addition, Pinkham was also charged with several prior conviction enhancements: (1) Three Strikes law alleging two prior federal bank…