Case ID: f-supp_209/html/0956-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "DUMBAULD, District Judge.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America v. Frank SALA and Codie Simpson, Jr.
    Crim. A. No. 62-205.
    United States District Court W. D. Pennsylvania.
    Oct. 1, 1962.
    
      Joseph S. Ammerman, U. S. Atty., Pittsburgh, Pa., for the United States.
    James A. Ashton, Pittsburgh, Pa., for Sala.
    Byrd R. Brown, Pittsburgh, Pa., for Simpson.
   DUMBAULD, District Judge.

ADJUDICATION

Defendants, indicted under 26 U.S.C. § 5604(a) (1) for transporting distilled spirits not properly stamped (an offense punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 5 years imprisonment, or both; and hence a felony), have filed motions to suppress as evidence some forty (40) gallons of distilled spirits seized by Alcohol Tax agents and taken from a motor vehicle driven by defendant Sala. After hearing evidence and argument of counsel, the Court makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law:

Findings of Fact

1. On May 7, 1962, Alcohol Tax agents observed a red panel truck owned by a known moonshiner stationed at a locality on a dead-end street, Oak Avenue, in East Pittsburgh Borough, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

2. On that occasion defendant Simpson arrived in a Ford and assisted the known moonshiner in unloading cartons from the truck and taking them into the basement of the building.

3. While the cartons were being carried into the building, the agents could hear the sound of jugs clinking together, with the sound customarily associated with filled containers rather than that of empty containers.

4. On May 15, 1962, the date of the events involved in the instant case, the agents saw the same truck stationed at the same spot. On this occasion, however, the known moonshiner was not present, but the truck was driven by defendant Sala.

5. The agents observed defendant Simpson arrive in another vehicle. This vehicle was later found to contain empty jugs.

6. After defendant Simpson came to the scene, the agents saw the truck driven by defendant Sala change its position and drive up to where defendant Simpson was standing.

7. Defendants Sala and Simpson were observed engaged in conversation with each other. During this conversation, the agents moved on foot toward the truck.

8. The agents through the window of the truck observed that it was carrying cartons in which there were jugs which they observed to be filled with liquid, The jugs and containers were of the kind ordinarily used in moonshining operations.

9. Upon arriving, after having made these observations, at the place where the defendants were engaged in conversation, one of the agents displayed his credentials and said “Federal officers”.

H. , „ 10. Upon hearing these words spoken, ° ■ ,, , , defendant Simpson fled down the street and was pursued by the agent who had displayed his credentials and identified the agents as federal officers.

11. The agent in pursuit of defendant Simpson apprehended and arrested him at a point some distance away from the two motor vehicles involved, and returned with said defendant to the scene.

12. Meanwhile another agent had spoken to defendant Sala.and asked what he was carrying. Defendant Sala replied that he was carrying moonshine.

13. The agent interrogating Sala then opened the door of the car and tasted and smelled the contents of the jug, identifying them ^ as moonshine. The agent interrogating defendant Sala thereupon placed defendant Sala under arrest.

14. At all relevant times the agents had no search warrant, but did have a so-called “John Doe” warrant describing by physical characteristics the defendant Simpson.

„ , . T

1. The search by the agent of the truck driven by defendant Sala cannot be justified in virtue of the warrant for the arrest of defendant Simpson; since Simpson was arrested at a point distant from said vehicle and defendant Simpson had no control over said vemcle.

2. Said search cannot be justified as incident to the cinrest of defendant Sctlci> since said search had been completed before said defendant was placed under arrest.

3. Said search must be justified, if at all, upon the basis that the agents had probable cause for such search by reason of facts and circumstances known to them which would warrant a prudent man in believing that a felony had been or was being committed ^ their presence. Henry v. United States, 361 U.S. 98, 102, 80 S.Ct. 168, 4 L.Ed.2d 134. To establish probable cause same quantum of evidence required to establish guilt is not necessary; on the other hand, mere good faith on the , „ ’ . , . part of the officers is not enough. The ^ .g bable eause.

4. The test of probable cause was met in the instant case by reason the tacts an(i circumstances known to the aSents at the time of the search, Such facts and circumstances include, inter alia, the facts that the defendants had seen transportation take place when the truck moved up to where defendant Simpson was standing. the fact that this tmck bel ed to a known m00nshiner and had been uged ftt ^ same lace for ^ deliyery of jugs fiUed with liquid; that defendant Simpson had associated wjth and assisted said known moonshiner on that previous occasion; the fact that sajd gimpson fled upon hearing the words “Federal officers” spoken; the fact that before the search the officers, by looking through the window of the truck and without committing any trespass, had observed jugs filled with liquid inside the truck; and the fact that before the search was made the defendant Sala, the driver of the truck, admitted upon interrogation that he was transporting a load of moonshine. All of these circumstances, considered together, suffice to constitute probable cause for the search at the time when the agent interrogating Sala opened the door and searched the truck,

Thig cage .g distinguighable frons U. S. v. Griffin, W.D.Pa. No. 61_184 (Criminal) recently decided by Judge Mcllvaine, in that case the officers vpíípTiprl íTvfn "Hip ínThríTnriV^ilp pya amined the defendants'shopping bags at a ^jme -when they could not see the contents of the shopping bags before committing an unauthorized search or tres* pass.

6. The motions for suppression of evidence should be denied (defendant Sala’s alternative request to- quash the indictment having been withdrawn at the hearing).