Title: RICHARD T. SCHIRBER V. THE STATE OF WYOMING

State: wyoming

Issuer: Wyoming Supreme Court

Document:

RICHARD T. SCHIRBER V. THE STATE OF WYOMING2006 WY 121142 P.3d 1169Case Number: 05-104Decided: 09/27/2006
APRIL TERM, A.D. 2006

 
 
RICHARD 
T. SCHIRBER,

 
 
Appellant

(Defendant),

 
 
v.

 
 
THE STATE OFWYOMING,

 
 
Appellee

(Plaintiff).

 
 
Appeal 
from the DistrictCourtofHot SpringsCounty

 
 

Representing 
Appellant:

Harry G. 
Bondi, Casper, Wyoming

 
 

Representing 
Appellee:

Patrick 
J. Crank, Wyoming Attorney General; Paul S. Rehurek, Deputy Attorney General; D. 
Michael Pauling, Senior Assistant Attorney General; Matthew D. Obrecht, Student 
Intern.  Argument by Mr. 
Obrecht.

 
 
Before 
VOIGT, C.J., and GOLDEN, HILL,* KITE, and BURKE, 
JJ.

 
 

GOLDEN, 
J., 
delivers the opinion of the Court; VOIGT, C.J., files a specially 
concurring opinion

 
 
* Chief 
Justice at time of oral argument

 
 

GOLDEN, 
Justice.

 
 
[¶1]      Richard T. 
Schirber appeals from his conviction and sentence on one count of possession of 
a controlled substance in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-7-1031(c)(iii) and 
two counts of concealing stolen property in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 
6-3-403(a)(i).  Schirber claims the 
search warrant at issue was fatally flawed because the affidavit upon which it 
was based was insufficient to establish probable cause, and also that the search 
conducted incident to that warrant exceeded the scope of the warrant.  Finding no error, we 
affirm.

 
 
ISSUES

 
 
[¶2]      Schirber presents 
the following two issues on appeal:

 
 
I.  Does the affidavit in support of the 
application for search warrant establish that it is probable that quantities of 
controlled substances, records of drug transactions, or proceeds from drug 
transactions, will be found at Appellant's residence on February 5, 2004?  Does the information supplied by the 
informants supply a sound basis of knowledge of criminal activity, or is the 
sparse reference to criminal activity outdated and stale?

 
 
II.  Was the execution of the search warrant 
at Appellant's residence overly broad and did execution exceed the scope and 
authority requested or granted when officers searched serial numbers of over two 
hundred property items including two portable radios?  

 
 

 
 
[¶3]      On February 5, 
2004, following an investigation into Schirber's involvement in the distribution 
of controlled substances in Thermopolis, Wyoming, Officer Mark Nelson of the 
Thermopolis Police Department obtained a warrant to search Schirber's 
residence.  During the execution of 
the search warrant, law enforcement discovered Oxycontin (Oxycodone) 
tablets.  The search also revealed 
several expensive hand-held radios.  
Officer Nelson removed the battery packs of the radios, where he believed 
drugs could be hidden.  The serial 
numbers of the radios were exposed upon removal of the batteries.  Officer Nelson recorded the serial 
numbers.  Officer Nelson later 
ascertained that the radios belonged to Schirber's former employer.  A new warrant was issued on March 2, 
2004, authorizing the search of Schirber's residence and the seizure of the 
stolen radios and any other stolen property found therein.  The search was conducted on March 4, 
2004, resulting in the seizure of the stolen radios, along with other items 
belonging to Schirber's former employer. 

 
 
[¶4]      Schirber was 
charged with, among other things, concealing stolen property and possession of a 
controlled substance.  Before trial, 
Schirber filed two motions to suppress the evidence discovered during the 
searches of his residence.  The 
first motion was based on an allegation that law enforcement exceeded the scope 
of the February 5 warrant by removing the radios' battery packs and recording 
the serial numbers.  In the second 
suppression motion, Schirber challenged the sufficiency of the affidavit 
supporting the issuance of the February 5 search warrant.  The district court denied both 
motions.  Schirber was ultimately 
convicted of one count of possession of a controlled substance, in violation of 
Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 35-7-1031(c)(iii) (LexisNexis 2005), and two counts of 
concealing stolen property, in violation of Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 6-3-403(a)(i) 
(LexisNexis 2005).  This appeal 
followed.

 

 
 
Issuance 
of the February 5 Search Warrant

 
 
Standard 
of Review

 
 
[¶5]      In reviewing an 
affidavit in support of an application for a search warrant, this Court is 
mindful of the fact that there is a strong preference under the law for law 
enforcement officers to obtain a warrant instead of engaging in a warrantless 
search.  Cordova v. State, 2001 WY 96, ¶ 11, 33 P.3d 142, 148 (Wyo. 2001).  Thus, an 
affidavit comes to this Court with a presumption of validity.  TJS v. State, 2005 WY 68, ¶ 10, 113 P.3d 1054, 1057 (Wyo. 2005). In order to promote the warrant process, and remembering 
that affidavits are not normally executed by legal technicians, this Court 
resolves doubtful or marginal cases in this area in favor of sustaining the 
warrant.  TJS, ¶ 10, 113 P.3d  at 1057; Cordova, ¶ 11, 33 P.3d  at 148; Hixson v. State, 2001 WY 99, ¶ 6, 33 P.3d 154, 156-57 (Wyo. 2001). Ultimately, our duty on review simply is to ensure 
that the warrant-issuing judicial officer had a substantial basis for concluding 
probable cause existed.  Massachusetts v. Upton, 466 U.S. 727, 728 732-33, 104 S. Ct. 2085, 
2088, 80 L. Ed. 2d 721 (1984) (per curiam).

 
 
Analysis

 
 
[¶6]      On appeal, 
Schirber earnestly maintains that the affidavit executed and submitted by 
Officer Nelson, which is comprised primarily of statements from cooperating 
witnesses (CWs), fails to contain sufficient information to support a finding by 
a neutral magistrate of probable cause, a necessary precursor to the issuance of 
a warrant under both Article 1, Section 4 of the Wyoming Constitution and the 
Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution.  The probable-cause standard is incapable 
of precise definition or quantification into percentages because it deals with 
probabilities and depends on the totality of the circumstances.  TJS, ¶ 10, 113 P.3d  at 1057; Davis v. State, 859 P.2d 89, 94 (Wyo. 1993); Ostrowski v. State, 665 P.2d 471, 478 
(Wyo. 1983); Smith v. State, 557 P.2d 130, 133 
(Wyo. 
1976).  Probable cause  

 
 
is a 
"practical, nontechnical conception." Brinegar v. United 
States, 338 U.S. 160, 176, 
69 S. Ct. 1302, 1311, 93 L. Ed. 1879 (1949). "In dealing with probable cause, . . 
. as the very name implies, we deal with probabilities. These are not technical; 
they are the factual and practical considerations of everyday life on which 
reasonable and prudent men, not legal technicians, act." Id., at 175, 69 S. Ct.  at 1310.

 
 
* * * 
*

 
 
[P]robable 
cause is a fluid concept -- turning on the assessment of probabilities in 
particular factual contexts -- not readily, or even usefully, reduced to a neat 
set of legal rules.  

 
 

Illinois 
v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 231-32, 103 S. Ct. 2317, 2328-29, 76 L. Ed. 2d 527 (1983); see 
Guerra v. State, 897 P.2d 447, 453-54, 456 (Wyo. 1995).  

 
 
[¶7]      When reviewing 
affidavits for probable cause, this Court continues to adhere to the standard 
espoused by the United States Supreme Court:

 
 
The task 
of the issuing magistrate is simply to make a practical, common-sense decision 
whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit before him, 
including the "veracity" and "basis of knowledge" of persons supplying hearsay 
information, there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime 
will be found in a particular place.

 
 

Gates, 462 U.S.  at 238, 103 S. Ct.  at 2332; see also TJS, ¶¶ 
12-13, 113 P.3d at 1057-58; Cordova, ¶ 15, 33 P.3d  at 149; Hixson, ¶ 11, 33 P.3d  
at 159; Hyde v. 
State, 769 P.2d 376, 380 (Wyo. 
1989); Bonsness v. 
State, 672 P.2d 1291, 1293 (Wyo. 
1983).  An 
affidavit must contain sufficient information within its four corners to allow 
the issuing judicial officer to make an independent determination that probable 
cause exists.  
Some underlying factual information, as opposed to mere suspicions or 
conclusory statements, must be supplied.  

 
 
[¶8]      Many factors may be 
relevant to a determination of the veracity and the basis of knowledge of an 
informant.  A 
non-exhaustive lists includes: whether the informant has previously given 
reliable information to law enforcement; whether the statements of the informant 
are against the informant's penal interests; whether the informant acquired 
knowledge of the events through firsthand observation; whether the amount of 
detail provided is sufficient to make the statement self-verifying; the interval 
between the date of the events and the law enforcement officer's application for 
a warrant; and the extent to which law enforcement officers have corroborated 
the informant's statements.  Also relevant is whether the law enforcement 
affiant included a professional assessment of the probable significance of the 
facts related by the informant, based on experience or expertise.    See Gates, 462 U.S.  at 
233-34, 103 S.Ct. at 2329-30; United States v. Harris, 403 U.S. 573, 584-85, 91 S. Ct. 2075, 2082, 29 L. Ed. 2d 723 (1971); United States v. Mykytiuk, 402 F.3d 773, 776-77 (7th Cir. 2005); United 
States v. Zayas-Diaz, 95 F.3d 105, 111 (1st Cir. 1996).  No one factor is dispositive in the credibility 
analysis, and a deficiency in one may be compensated by a strong showing of 
another.  
Id.

 
 
[¶9]      With this analytical 
framework in mind, we turn to Schirber's complaint that the affidavit supporting 
the February 5th search warrant is insufficient to 
support a finding of probable cause.  The affidavit reads:1

 
 

AFFIDAVIT OF MARK NELSON

 
 
THE UNDERSIGNED, Mark Nelson, being of lawful age, and being 
first duly sworn upon his oath, deposes and says:

 
 
1.         That 
I am a certified Wyoming Law Enforcement Officer employed by the Town of 
Thermopolis, Wyoming as a Police Officer.

 
 
2.         That 
I have reason to believe that at 640 Fremont, Thermopolis, Hot Springs County, 
Wyoming,  *  *  *  owned by William J. 
Bruckner and Billie Lou Bruckner and currently occupied by Richard "Rick" 
Schirber there is being concealed certain property, to-wit:  controlled 
substances, illegal drugs, or evidence of use or transactions in illegal drugs 
and controlled substances, plus documentation, whether it be written, audio, 
video or visual pertaining to the use or transactions in controlled substances 
to include, but not limited to drug paraphernalia, package materials, 
containers, photographs, lock boxes and/or other secured items used to store 
controlled substances and/or any other evidence of illegal transactions in 
controlled substances, which

 
 
            
[ ]         is 
stolen or embezzled in violation of law;

 
 
            
[X]       is designed or 
intended for use, or which is or has been used as the means of committing a 
criminal offense;

 
 
            
[X]       is possessed, 
controlled, designed, or intended for use, or which is or has been used in 
violation of any law;

 
 
            
[X]       tends to show a 
crime has been committed;

 
 
            
[X]       tends to show 
that a particular person has committed a crime.

 
 
3.         The 
facts tending to establish the foregoing grounds for issuance of a search 
warrant are as follows:

 
 

Chad Harris

 
 
On January 19, 2004 I interviewed Chad Harris in my office in 
the Hot SpringsCountyJointLawEnforcementCenter.  Chad Harris discussed 
his drug involvement when he lived in Thermopolis and his knowledge regarding 
drug use by other people he knew and information about those he would buy drugs 
from.  Chad 
Harris has been living in Casper the past few months 
and has tried to stay away from those he dealt with here.

 
 
When Chad Harris lived in Thermopolis, he lived on the corner 
of 3rd 
and Clark, next door to 
LeRoy Barton.  
Chad Harris said that a number of times he purchased marijuana from LeRoy 
Barton.  Chad 
Harris also bought Methamphetamine from Johnny Barton.  Chad Harris also said 
that he had used methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine with Johnny Barton and 
LeRoy Barton.

 
 
Chad Harris discussed people he had used drugs with when he 
lived in Thermopolis.  
Chad Harris said that he had been using with Chad Severance.  Chad Harris stated 
that on one occasion he and Chad Severance had driven over and parked at Big 
Horn Enterprises located at 641 Warren in Thermopolis.  Chad Harris gave Chad 
Severance $50 to $60.  
Chad Severance got out of the vehicle and walked over to Rick Schirber's 
home located at 640 Fremont.  That Chad Severance 
came back a few minutes later with a half gram of Methamphetamine and no 
money.  Chad 
Harris was told by Chad Severance that the methamphetamine was from Rick 
Schirber.  Chad 
Harris said that Rick Schirber would only sell to a small group of people and 
he, Chad Harris, had to go through Chad Severance to get methamphetamine from 
Rick Schirber.  
Chad Harris talked about Rick Schirber hanging out with Lara Halbert, 
Malcolm McCallum, Steve and Stephanie Robins [sic] and Shannon Ireland.

 
 
Chad Harris stated that on one occasion last summer at about 
1:00 am he was coming back from a rig job with Steve Robins [sic].  That they stopped at 
Boysen Reservoir by Tough Creek and met Rick Schirber.  Rick Schirber showed 
them a rock of methamphetamine that Chad Harris described as being bigger than a 
baseball.

 
 
Chad Harris said that Mike Nilsen showed up at his place in 
Casper about 2 weeks ago and 
said that he, Mike Nilsen, was hiding from the police in Hot 
SpringsCounty.  Mike Nilsen stated he 
was wanted for stealing a gun from a red pickup that was towed by him.  Chad Harris told Mike 
Nilsen that the police knew Chad Harris' address in Casper and Mike Nilsen got worried and packed up 
and left to go to Cheyenne.  Chad Harris did not 
see the gun but the way that Mike Nilsen talked about it he was sure that Mike 
Nilsen had the gun.  
I talked to Thermopolis Police officer Alan S. Nelson regarding a report 
of a stolen handgun and possible interview of Mike Nilsen.  I also reviewed 
Officer Alan S. Nelson's incident report regarding a stolen handgun.  From my conversation 
with Officer Alan S. Nelson and reviewing his incident report I learned that on 
December 30, 2003 Timothy Vankirk reported a Ruger 9MM semi-auto pistol was 
missing from his 1994 Chevrolet pickup.  The pickup had been towed by Auto and RV 
Specialities and left parked in their lot overnight.  Officer Alan S. 
Nelson had interviewed Mike Nilsen, at the time employed by Auto and RV 
Specialities, and had learned that Mike Nilsen was the person who had towed the 
vehicle and placed it in Auto and RV Specialties lot.  Mike Nilsen admitted 
to being in the front of the vehicle to adjust the steering wheel and lock it 
prior to the tow but denied seeing any weapons.

                        
Jodi 
Barton

 
 
On February 2, 2004 Jodi Barton came into the JointLawEnforcementCenter and asked to speak to 
me.  Jodi Barton 
talked about being involved with drugs while in Thermopolis.  Jodi Barton stated 
that she and her husband Johnny Barton had moved to New 
Mexico to get away from the drugs.  Jodi Barton admitted 
that while in Thermopolis she used illegal drugs.  Jodi Barton stated that the last time she had 
used illegal drugs was new years eve [sic].  After that she learned she was pregnant and 
quit using drugs.  
Jodi Barton stated that she and her husband Johnny Barton have a little 
girl that is 3 years old and that she is expecting another child.  Jodi Barton stated 
that her husband Johnny Barton is doing more drugs then [sic] ever and that she 
had moved back to Thermopolis to get away from her husband Johnny Barton.

 
 
During the interview Jodi Barton talked about Mike and Monic 
Nilsen.  Jodi 
Barton stated that when she was in Casper at Chad Harris' home, Mike and 
Monic Nilsen were there also.  Jodi Barton stated that Mike Nilsen talked 
about a gun that was stolen from a red truck that had been towed by Mike 
Nilsen.  Jodi 
Barton stated that Mike Nielsen [sic] had stated that he had stolen the 
gun.  Jodi Barton 
stated that when Mike and Monic Nilsen were getting ready to leave Casper Jodi 
Barton saw Mike Nilsen put a handgun under the drivers [sic] seat of the car he 
was driving.

 
 
                        
Lahoma 
Martin

 
 
I have talked to Hot Springs County Sheriff's Department 
Lieutenant Dan Pebbles regarding an interview of Lahoma Martin.  I have also reviewed 
Lieutenant Pebbles' report pertaining to the interview of Lahoma Martin.  From my conversation 
with Lieutenant Pebbles and review of his report I learned that he interviewed 
Lahoma Martin on January 28, 2004 at approximately 1800 hrs at the 
NatronaCountyDetentionCenter in Casper, Wyoming.

 
 
Lieutenant Pebbles asked Lahoma Martin to tell him about an 
incident that occurred in 2002 at 242 Clark, which at the time was Lahoma 
Martin's residence.  
I am aware that Lahoma Martin had been arrested and charged with Delivery 
of a Controlled Substance, and was found not guilty at trial.  Lahoma Martin told 
Lieutenant Pebbles that in March of 2002, a subject by the name of Bart Orndoff 
came to her residence at 242 Clark Street and 
requested that she sell him a ¼ ounce of marijuana.  Lahoma Martin said 
she then went next door to Leroy and Kathy Barton's residence where she made 
contact with Kathy Barton and requested that Kathy Barton provide her with a ¼ 
ounce of marijuana.  
Lahoma Martin stated that Kathy Barton then produced a ¼ ounce of 
marijuana and Lahoma Martin gave Kathy Barton the money that had been given to 
Lahoma Martin by Bart Orndoff.  Lahoma Martin then went back to her residence 
and gave the marijuana to Bart Orndoff.  From my conversation with Lieutenant Pebbles I 
learned that at Lahoma Martin's trial that Bart Orndoff testified, under oath, 
that on the night in question he, Bart Orndoff, went to Lahoma Martin's 
residence to purchase marijuana.  Bart Orndoff testified that another individual 
and not Lahoma Martin sold the marijuana to him.  Bart Orndoff was subsequently charged with 
felony perjury and entered a plea of guilty.  During his factual basis Bart Orndoff testified 
that he had testified falsely at Lahoma Martin's trial and that it had in fact 
been Lahoma Martin who sold the marijuana to him.

 
 
Lahoma Martin told Lieutenant Pebbles that the evening her 
residence was raided in March of 2002, earlier that evening Leroy Barton had 
shown her a pound of marijuana at his residence which was right next door to her 
residence.  
Lahoma Martin said that she smoked marijuana numerous times with Leroy 
& Kathy Barton and that she had use "crank" (methamphetamine) with Leroy 
Barton several times.  
Lahoma Martin told Lieutenant Pebbles that she smoked marijuana with 
Kathy Barton and has purchased marijuana from Kathy Barton at Kathy Barton's 
residence on several occasions while Lahoma Martin lived in Thermopolis.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that on one 
occasion Cindy Reynolds purchased marijuana from the Barton's [sic] and then 
came next door to Lahoma Martin's residence and smoked the marijuana with Lahoma 
Martin.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that the Barton's 
[sic] son, Johnny Barton, is a user of illegal drugs, he primarily injects 
methamphetamine.  
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that Johnny Barton would do a 
lot of running for his parents, Leroy & Kathy Barton, selling illegal drugs 
and making contacts for his parents to sell the illegal drugs they 
possessed.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she heard that 
Johnny Barton had moved to New Mexico and was living 
in a residence owned by Leroy & Kathy Barton.  Lahoma Martin said that Johnny Barton's wife, 
Jodi Barton, is using "meth."  Lahoma Martin said that Jodi Barton and Jodi 
and Johnny Barton's daughter were no longer with Johnny Barton and that Jodi 
Barton had left Johnny Barton.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that Mike Nilsen is 
her brother-in-law.  
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she heard and believed 
that Mike Nilsen was recently involved with the theft of a gun from a vehicle 
that he towed while working in Thermopolis.  Lahoma Martin stated that Mike & Monic 
Nilsen showed up at her residence in Casper and that Mike Nilsen told her 
the cops were after him because they thought he stole a gun from a vehicle he 
had towed.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she does not 
know Rick Schirber personally but that she knows from dealings and association 
with others that Rick Schirber is a drug dealer in Thermopolis.  Lahoma Martin 
informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she has heard Rick Schirber sells marijuana, 
methamphetamine and also deals in Oxycontin.

 
 
Lahoma Martin stated that Chad Severance has told her many 
times that he, Chad Severance, has bought methamphetamine from Rick 
Schirber.  Lahoma 
Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that Chad Severance is a heavy user of 
methamphetamine and Chad Severance had told her he deals primarily with Rich 
[sic] Schirber.  
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she has witnessed Chad 
Severance shooting methamphetamine while he lived with Lahoma Martin and her 
boyfriend, Chad Harris, for a short period during the summer of 2002.  Lahoma Martin informed 
Lieutenant Pebbles that she knew of an incident where her boyfriend, Chad 
Harris, bought methamphetamine through Chad Severance who obtained the 
methamphetamine from Rick Schirber.  Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that 
both Chad Severance and Chad Harris told her that is where it came from.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that Steve Robbins 
is also a heavy user of methamphetamine.  Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that 
she had been told by Steve Robbins that he buys his illegal drugs through Rick 
Schirber.  Lahoma 
Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she had witnessed Steve Robbins smoking 
methamphetamine while he was on a drilling location in the Hells Half Acre 
area.  Lahoma 
Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that Steve Robbins' wife, Stephanie Robbins, 
is also a user of methamphetamine and that numerous marital problems have 
developed between Steve and Stephanie Robbins due to their illegal drugs 
usage.  
Lieutenant Pebbles informed me that during the late summer of 2003 he had 
been contacted by Shirley Allmaras, Stephanie Robbins' aunt.  That Shirley Allmaras 
was greatly concerned about Stephanie Robbins due to Stephanie Robbins being 
involved in illegal drugs.  Shirley Allmaras informed Lieutenant Pebbles 
that at that time Stephanie Robbins was seeing Rich [sic] Schirber while 
Stephanie Robbins was married to Steve Robbins.  That Shirley Allmaras had expressed concern as 
Steve Robbins was volatile and possibly could hurt either Stephanie Robbins or 
Rick Schirber.

 
 
Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that she was 
friends for awhile with Stormy Jeffres and that she had used marijuana and 
methamphetamine numerous times with Stormy Jeffres.  Lahoma Martin said 
that Stormy Jeffres had told her that she, Stormy Jeffres, received her illegal 
drugs through Rick Schirber.  Lahoma Martin informed Lieutenant Pebbles that 
on one occasion she went to Stormy Jeffres' home and was not allowed in because 
Stormy Jeffres said that Rick Schirber was there.

 
 
                        
Jason 
Krueger

 
 
On Tuesday January 27, 2004 I contacted Jason Krueger in 
Hot SpringsCountyDetentionCenter.  Jason Krueger agreed 
to talk with me about his knowledge of drug activity in Thermopolis.  Jason Krueger talked 
about his knowledge of drug activity and his own use of drugs.  Jason Krueger said 
that he had been using marijuana since he was 14 and doing methamphetamine since 
he was around 18 years old.  Jason Krueger said the methamphetamine was not 
a problem until this past year.  The methamphetamine has gotten better or 
stronger.  The 
new methamphetamine they call crystal, ice or glass.  It is much stronger 
and really messed him up.  Jason Krueger said he had been "banging" since 
about April.  I 
asked what "banging" was and Jason Krueger said "banging" was injecting 
methamphetamine with a needle into a vein.  Jason Krueger talked about how good he was 
getting at shooting up.  
Jason Krueger stated that Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger, his wife, got him 
into shooting up.  
Jason Krueger stated that he and Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger would be 
going somewhere and Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger would ask if he could shoot up 
while driving or while in a public place.  Jason Krueger stated that he could shoot up in 
the dark, in a moving car or other strange places.  Jason Krueger stated 
that since April he had gotten more and more into the methamphetamine, was using 
up to a gram a day and had been doing nothing but drugs the past few 
months.  Jason 
Krueger stated he had not been working and could not keep up with bills.  Jason Krueger stated 
that he had been selling his property of value to buy more drugs.  Jason Krueger stated 
he sold his Honda 1100, that he paid $8,000 for, to Delbert Bruckner for 
$3,500.  Jason 
Krueger stated that he got $200 in cash and the rest in drugs.

 
 
Jason Krueger discussed who he had done drugs with.  Jason Krueger listed 
his wife Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger, Malcolm McCallum, Shannon Ireland, his 
ex-wife Sara Cheatham, Albert Cheatham, Sara Cheatham's husband, Rick Schirber, 
Chad Severance, Judy Cable, Maria Molina, Sam Grieve and Garret Lathina.  Jason Krueger stated 
that he had seen Jeff Allen and Ryan Allen use methamphetamine.  Jason Krueger stated 
that he also dealt with Roger and Lavita Kraushaar.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Roger Kraushaar would shoot up with methamphetamine and Lavita Kraushaar 
would smoke methamphetamine.  Jason Krueger stated that he and Sharron 
"Sherry" L. Krueger would trade ¼ gram of methamphetamine to Roger Kraushaar for 
"rigs" until he discovered he could buy his own needles and syringes from the 
drug store with out [sic] any questions.  Jason Krueger stated that "rigs" were needles 
and syringes.  
Jason Krueger stated that Roger Kraushaar was also selling his, Roger 
Kraushaar's, prescription medication Oxycontin.  Jason Krueger stated that Roger Kraushaar was 
working for R & S Well service [sic] and was trying to scam R & S Well 
Service and get a disability from them.  I contacted Steve Shay, safety officer for R 
& S Well Service.  
Steve Shay confirmed that Roger Kraushaar had been injury [sic] while 
working for R & S Well Service and was on temporary disability.

 
 
Jason Krueger stated that he had been getting most of his 
drugs from out of town the past 8 months or so.  Jason Krueger stated he would get a large 
amount and sell some of it to pay for his habit.  Jason Krueger stated the last time he bought a 
small amount in town was from Rick Schirber and that may have been in 
April.  Jason 
Krueger stated he and Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger had been getting their 
methamphetamine from his ex-wife, Sara Cheatham, and her husband Albert 
Cheatham.  Jason 
Krueger stated that Sara and Albert Cheatham live in Laramie.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Sara and Albert Cheatham had connections in Colorado to obtain 
methamphetamine.  
Jason Krueger stated that when he left town in November he went to 
Laramie and was staying with Sara and 
Albert Cheatham.  
Jason Krueger stated that when he left Laramie to return to Thermopolis he 
left his Suburban with Sara and Albert Cheatham so Sara and Albert Cheatham 
would have a good vehicle to use for his daughter.  On February 2, 2003 
[sic] I learned that Jason Krueger's suburban [sic] was in Thermopolis and that 
Sara Cheatham was also in Thermopolis and staying at Sharron "Sherry" L. 
Krueger's home at 725 Broadway.

 
 
Jason Krueger stated that Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger and 
Sara Cheatham would trade drugs back and forth.  Jason Krueger stated that he and Sharron 
"Sherry" L. Krueger would make regular trips to Laramie to obtain more 
methamphetamine.  
Jason Krueger stated that he and Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger would 
usually get one or two ounces a week depending on however much money he and 
Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger had.

 
 
Jason Krueger talked about getting "shot up" by Shannon 
Ireland.  Jason 
Krueger stated that he thought he was going to die from it.  Jason Krueger stated 
that he had always mixed his own "loads" and that was the last time he had 
anyone else shoot him up.  Jason Krueger stated that he remembers being on 
the floor thinking he was going to die and not being able to move or get 
up.  Jason 
Krueger stated that his arm was numb for a day or two afterwards.  Jason Krueger stated 
that after that time he made sure he always mixed his own and did his own 
"shooting up".  
Jason Krueger stated that Shannon Ireland was getting his methamphetamine 
from someone on the oil rigs and Shannon Ireland talked about the 
methamphetamine coming out of Utah.  Shannon Ireland had 
been working rigs out of Wamsetter [sic] and is not always around.

 
 
Jason Krueger talked about Rick Schieber [sic] not working in 
over a year and his, Jason Krueger's, knowledge of Rick Schirber selling 
methamphetamine.  
Jason Krueger stated that Rick Schirber sells a lot of methamphetamine to 
Chad Severance and that Rick Schirber had sold methamphetamine to Jason 
Krueger.  Jason 
Krueger stated that he had other sources and had been selling methamphetamine on 
his own and with Sharron "Sherry" L. Krueger, so he and Sharron "Sherry" L. 
Krueger did not need to buy much methamphetamine in town.  Jason Krueger has 
purchased several grams from Rick Schirber, and said it was crank.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Rick Schirber has lots of guns and usually carries in a shoulder 
holster.  Jason 
Krueger stated that Rick Schirber has guns all over his house and is 
paranoid.  Jason 
Krueger stated that Rick Schirber believes that people are out to get him and 
the police are after him.  Jason Krueger stated that Rick Schirber 
obtained two baby monitors and placed them across from each other by the 
door.  Jason 
Krueger stated that Rick Schirber believed that if anybody entered the house 
wearing a wire the baby monitors would pick up the electronic interference and 
make noise, alerting him to the wire.

 
 
Jason Krueger stated that Dean Willenbrecht was hanging out 
with Rick Schirber.  
Jason Krueger stated that Dean Willenbrecht was bringing methamphetamine, 
acid, and cocaine into town.  Jason Krueger stated that Dean Willenbrecht 
also has a lot of guns and always has one with him.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Dean Willenbrecht has a friend from Riverton that hangs out with Dean 
Willenbrecht.  
Jason Krueger stated that Dean Willenbrecht's friend was very strange and 
was trying to sell some handguns very cheap to Jason Krueger, before he, Jason 
Krueger left town.  
Jason Krueger stated that he thought that Dean Willenbrecht's friend was 
dangerous.

 
 
Jason Krueger stated that Rick Schirber is really into 
Oxycontin.  Jason 
Krueger also discussed other people that were buying drugs from him and Sharron 
"Sherry" L. Krueger.  
Jason Krueger stated that a Rob and Melissa were regular methamphetamine 
and marijuana users.  
Jason Krueger stated that he did not know Rob's and Melissa's last name 
but did say that Melissa worked at Heather Herring's daycare.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Melissa Balstad also had been doing a lot of methamphetamine.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Becky Harvey would also get methamphetamine for Sharron "Sherry" L. 
Krueger.

 
 
Jason Krueger also discussed Malcolm McCallum.  Jason Krueger stated 
that he had seen a human skull in Malcolm McCallum's porch area.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Malcolm McCallum had given the skull to Jason Krueger.  Jason Krueger stated 
that Malcolm McCallum was concerned that the police might come back for the 
skull.  Jason 
Krueger got the impression from Malcolm McCallum that the skull had come from a 
grave in Gebo.  
Jason Krueger stated that the skull was small as if from a child.  Jason Krueger stated 
that the skull was at his house, 725 Broadway, on November 23, 2003.  I have reviewed a 
report prepared by former Hot Springs County Deputy Sheriff Celia Easton.  From review of Deputy 
Easton's report I learned that sometime during the latter part of April, 2002 
there were six graves at the old town site of Gebo that had been disturbed.  I learned that in two 
of the graves the coffins had actually been opened.  One of the graves 
disturbed and the coffin opened was marked with a headstone that stated "Unknown 
Baby".

 
 
On February 3, 2004 Jason Krueger informed Thermopolis Police 
Chief that he had received a phone call in the detention center from Sara 
Cheatham.  During 
the phone conversation Sara Cheatham informed Jason Krueger that Sharron 
"Sherry" L. Krueger was carrying a 9mm automatic pistol and that Sharron 
"Sherry" L. Krueger had other firearms in the house.

 
 
In interviews with law enforcement Jason Krueger has informed 
law enforcement that Rich [sic] Schirber owns a large number of firearms, 
including handguns.  
Jason Krueger also informed law enforcement that Rich [sic] Schirber 
carries a handgun in a shoulder holster.  In my capacity as a law enforcement officer I 
have been to Rick Schirber's home and have seen both rifles and handguns.  I have also taken 
reports from Rick Schirber of stolen firearms and have returned recovered 
firearms to Rick Schirber.

 
 
As a result of the above information, Thermopolis Police 
Officers on regular patrol have been keeping record of the vehicles at 640 
Fremont, the residence of Richard 
"Rick" Schirber.  
The following is a list of the dates and times vehicles were seen and the 
registered owners of those vehicles.  January 29, 2004  Ryan Allen  7:15 a.m., Harold 
Willenbrecht  4:00 p.m.; January 30, 2004  Sharron "Sherry" Kruger [sic]  7:20 
a.m., Judith Cable  9:05 a.m.; February 3, 2004  Chad Severance  3:00 p.m..

 
 
Based upon all of the information in this Affidavit, it is 
likely that Richard "Rick" Schirder [sic] or other associates of his may see law 
enforcement officers arrive.  Much of the evidence may be disposed of easily 
by pouring down a drain or flushing down a toilet.  Additionally Richard 
"Rick" Schirder [sic] is reported to be armed at all times and/or own numerous 
weapons.  If the 
Defendant or his associates do see law enforcement arrive, it is likely that 
there will be an attempt to dispose of evidence or arm themselves with weapons 
before law enforcement begins knocking on his door.  Therefore, it is 
extremely important that law enforcement officers be able to enter the premises 
being searched without knocking or identifying themselves prior to entering to 
serve the search warrant.  

 
 
[¶10]   Schirber contends that this affidavit is 
insufficient to support a finding of probable cause because it contains no 
current incriminating information.  In other words, Schirber argues that the 
information is stale.  Staleness

varies greatly from case to case and is seldom amenable to 
precise measurement.  
Rather than being determined by the number of days or months between the 
facts relied upon and the issuance of the warrant, timeliness depends upon the 
nature of the criminal activity, the length of the activity, and the nature of 
the property to be seized.

 
 

Guerra v. State, 897 P.2d 447, 454 (Wyo. 1995) (internal quotation marks 
omitted).  
Focusing on the length of alleged criminal activity, Schirber argues on 
appeal that the affidavit contains only allegations of isolated drug sales, and 
a single possession of a large rock of methamphetamine, occurring many months 
before the issuance of the warrant, with no indication of ongoing criminal 
activity.  

 
 
[¶11]   Schirber supports his contention that 
the information in the affidavit is stale by employing a divide-and-conquer 
analysis.  He 
cherry-picks selective portions of the information in the affidavit and 
addresses each in isolation.  Schirber discounts entirely the statements of 
Jodi Barton and Lahoma Martin without analysis, simply declaring the information 
in their statements irrelevant because the majority of the information does not 
relate to him and the portions that arguably do relate lack adequate detail to 
be given any weight by the issuing judicial officer.  Schirber also 
discounts the results of the law enforcement surveillance of his residence 
because no criminal activity was directly observed.

 
 
[¶12]   Having summarily expunged the statements 
of Barton and Martin, Schirber focuses his appellate argument on limited 
portions of the statements provided by Chad Harris and Jason Krueger.  In discussing the 
statement of Harris, Schirber restricts his attention to what he claims are the 
only two alleged incidents related by Harris that are potentially pertinent to 
the issue of probable cause.  The first incident was Chad Severance's 
alleged buy of methamphetamine from Schirber.  The other incident involved Schirber allegedly 
showing Harris a large rock of methamphetamine at Boysen Reservoir "on one 
occasion last summer."  
Schirber argues that these alleged incidents were isolated and occurred 
at least several months before the affidavit was submitted to the issuing 
judicial officer.  
As for Krueger, Schirber restricts his arguments to: Krueger's claim that 
he had "purchased several grams" of methamphetamine from Schirber, arguing that 
it lacks any corroborative details and time-frame; and Krueger's claim that "the 
last time he bought a small amount in town was from Rick Schirber and that may 
have been in April," arguing that it evidences only a single incident that 
occurred at least ten or eleven months before the affidavit was submitted to the 
issuing judicial officer.  

 
 
[¶13]   Schirber never analyzes his favored 
portions of the affidavit in the context of the affidavit as a whole.  This piece-meal 
approach obviously is contrary to our established totality of the circumstances 
analysis, which requires the issuing judicial officer, as well as reviewing 
courts, to consider the information contained in an affidavit in its 
entirety.  
Eschewing Schirber's limited reading of the affidavit, this Court finds 
that the totality of the circumstances presented by the information in the 
affidavit is sufficient to support a finding that probable cause existed to 
believe Schirber was engaged in a continuing course of illegal drug 
activity.  

 
 
[¶14]   Initially we note that, despite 
Schirber's protestations, the isolated information in the affidavit supplied by 
Harris and Krueger with which Schirber takes issue is not irrelevant.  This Court accepts 
that the temporal proximity of the alleged incidents is attenuated.  The information, 
however, establishes that Schirber was known to have possessed and sold large 
amounts of methamphetamine.  Chad Harris stated he saw Schirber with a 
baseball-size rock of methamphetamine and had made an indirect buy from Schirber 
"on one occasion."  
In the same vein, Jason Krueger talked about buying methamphetamine from 
Schirber in the past.  
While standing alone this information would not support a finding of 
probable cause in the instant case, the information gains significance when 
taken out of isolation and read properly in the context of the rest of the 
information in the affidavit.  

 
 
[¶15]   Looking at other information supplied by 
Krueger, Krueger clearly implicated Schirber in current, continuing illegal drug 
activity.  
Krueger stated that Schirber, as of the time of his statements to Officer 
Nelson, was a drug dealer in Thermopolis.  Krueger identified individuals who buy drugs 
from Schirber.  
Krueger stated Schirber was hanging out with a man (Dean Willenbrecht) 
known by Krueger to be a supplier of various illegal drugs in the Thermopolis 
area.  

 
 
[¶16]   Lahoma Martin's statement, far from 
being irrelevant, also implicated Schirber in current, continuing illegal drug 
activity.  
Martin acknowledged she had never met Schirber.   She also 
admitted, however, that she used illegal drugs and, through her dealings and 
associations with others, she knew Schirber was, as of the time of her 
statement, a drug dealer in Thermopolis.  Martin also identified various individuals who 
had told her Schirber supplies them with illegal drugs.   

 
 
[¶17]   Law enforcement's surveillance of 
Schirber's residence circumstantially corroborated the information supplied by 
Krueger and Martin, bringing the information current.  At various times 
shortly before the affidavit was submitted to the issuing judicial officer, law 
enforcement officers observed automobiles of drug dealers and users identified 
by Krueger and Martin parked in front of Schirber's residence.

 
 
[¶18]   Schirber's continuing illegal drug 
activity can be best gleaned by piecing together information provided by Harris, 
Martin and Krueger regarding Chad Severance.  Their consistent information regarding 
Severance provides a thread in the story that is easy to follow.  Harris admitted 
that, when he lived in Thermopolis, he used methamphetamine with Severance.  Harris described an 
incident in which he was with Severance and Severance walked over to Schirber's 
residence and returned a few minutes later with a half gram of 
methamphetamine.  
Severance stated to Harris he had bought it from Schirber.  Martin stated, in 
the present tense, that Severance is a heavy user of methamphetamine and 
Severance had told her Schirber is his primary supply source.  Krueger admitted to 
using methamphetamine with Severance and stated Severance buys a lot of 
methamphetamine from Schirber.  Finally, Severance's vehicle was observed by 
law enforcement parked in front of Schirber's residence just a few days before 
the affidavit was executed and the warrant issued.  

 
 
[¶19]   This information, read as a whole and 
taken at face value, evidences a continuing course of illegal drug activity by 
Schirber.  The 
next question then becomes whether the information, in whole or in part, is 
credible.  On 
appeal, Schirber does not effectively challenge the veracity or basis of 
knowledge of the CWs regarding the information supplied by them.  Independently, we 
find in the affidavit no internal inconsistencies or other circumstances that 
compel us to question the veracity of the CWs.  All CWs gave statements against their penal 
interests.  
Various statements made by the CWs, whether about Schirber directly or 
collateral matters, corroborated each other.2  We further find no 
reason to question the basis of knowledge of the CWs for their respective 
statements.  We 
therefore accept, for appellate purposes, that the information provided by the 
CWs is reasonably trustworthy.

 
 
[¶20]   The remaining issue, therefore, is 
whether the information supplied in the affidavit is adequate to support a 
finding of probable cause.  The alleged short-comings of the affidavit are 
not hidden.  For 
example, the affidavit does not contain specific time-frames where none are 
available.  
Lahoma Martin's admission that she had never met Schirber is expressly 
stated.  The 
fact that law enforcement did not witness any criminal conduct during its 
surveillance of Schirber's residence is implicit from the omission of such a 
statement.3  On the flip side, as already noted, the 
supplied information establishes a continuing course of illegal drug activity by 
Schirber.  
Further, the information implicating Schirber can fairly be said to come 
from two separate sources: Harris, Martin, and Barton; and Krueger.4  Krueger is not identified by Harris, Martin or 
Barton as someone they did drugs with or knew had an association with 
Schirber.  For 
his part, Krueger does not identify Harris, Martin or Barton as individuals he 
did drugs with or knew were associated with Schirber.  Thus, their 
respective knowledge of Schirber's illegal drug activities appears to be 
independent.  
The credibility of their information is strengthened by the fact the drug 
users they identified included three people that overlapped  Chad Severance, 
Malcolm McCallum, and Shannon Ireland.  In light of the above-analysis, we find that 
the affidavit contains sufficient reliable information to allow the issuing 
judicial officer to make a practical, common-sense determination that a fair 
probability existed that Schirber was engaged in a continuing course of criminal 
conduct involving possession and delivery of controlled substances and 
contraband or other evidence of the criminal conduct could be found in 
Schirber's residence.

 
 
Propriety of recording of serial numbers

 
 
[¶21]   Having determined that the search 
warrant was validly issued, we turn to Schirber's second issue.5  Schirber argues Officer Nelson exceeded the 
scope of the February 5 warrant by writing down the serial numbers of the two 
hand-held radios.  
The district court disagreed and denied Schirber's motion to 
suppress.  In 
reviewing a district court's ruling on a motion to suppress, this Court does not 
disturb findings on factual issues made by the district court unless they are 
clearly erroneous.  
The constitutionality of a particular search or seizure is a question of 
law that we review de novo.  Guzman v. State, 2003 WY 118, ¶ 11, 76 P.3d 825, 827 (Wyo. 2003); Brown v. State, 944 P.2d 1168, 1170-71 
(Wyo. 1997); Guerra, 897 P.2d  at 
452; Wilson v. State, 874 P.2d 215, 218 
(Wyo. 1994).  

 
 
[¶22]   On appeal, Schirber does not directly 
challenge the district court's ruling.  Rather, Schirber's appellate argument begins 
from the presumptive premise that "[t]he State claims search and seizure of 
serial numbers from extensive personal property (including two portable radios) 
was proper under the plain view doctrine."  Schirber's appellate argument then continues 
from this presumptive premise and is devoted entirely to disputing the 
applicability of the plain-view doctrine to the instant circumstances.6 
 

 
 
[¶23]   The plain-view doctrine is an exception 
to the warrant requirement, applicable only as a legal justification for a 
warrantless seizure.7  The fatal flaw in Schirber's appellate 
argument as presented is that no seizure took place.  The United States 
Supreme Court has made clear that the recording of serial numbers does not 
constitute a seizure under the Fourth Amendment.  Arizona v. Hicks, 480 U.S. 321, 324-25, 107 S. Ct. 1149, 1152, 94 L. Ed. 2d 347 (1987) (recording of serial numbers does not 
constitute a seizure because it has minimal effect on any possessory interest in 
the serial numbers or the items from which the serial numbers are taken).  Put simply, merely 
copying information does not seize anything.  Since there was no seizure, the plain-view 
doctrine has no applicability to this case.8

 
 
[¶24]   The district court found that Officer 
Nelson was "looking for controlled substances which could easily be hidden in a 
cooler and/or a hand-held radio."9  This factual finding conclusively establishes 
that Officer Nelson's action in inspecting the radios and removing their battery 
packs was reasonable as incident to his search for controlled substances as 
authorized under the February 5 warrant.  The serial numbers came into Officer Nelson's 
view upon removal of the battery packs and therefore the inspection thereof also 
fell within the scope of the February 5 warrant because it "produced no 
additional invasion of respondent's privacy interest."  Hicks, 480 U.S.  at 325, 107 S. Ct.  at 
1152.  Schirber 
has shown no violation of his Fourth Amendment rights.

 
 

 
 
[¶25]   This Court finds that, when read in its 
entirety, the affidavit of Officer Nelson contains enough information to justify 
a finding of probable cause and thus the issuance of the search warrant.  Further, the 
district court determined that Officer Nelson was within the authority granted 
to him by the February 5 warrant when he removed the battery packs of the 
radios.  The 
ensuing inspection of the serial numbers therefore also was within the scope of 
the February 5 warrant.  The district court did not err in denying 
Schirber's motions to suppress.  Schirber's conviction and sentence is 
affirmed.

 
 

VOIGT, Chief Justice, specially concurring.

 
 
[¶26]   I concur.  I write separately for the reasons set forth 
in my concurring opinion in Rohda v. State, 2006 WY 120, ¶¶ 28-29, __ 
P.3d __, __ (Wyo. 2006).

 
 
FOOTNOTES

 
 

1We've chosen not to expressly identify numerous 
immaterial typographical errors in the affidavit.

 
 

2Jodi Barton's statement becomes significant 
specifically for her corroboration of collateral events related by Harris and 
Martin.  

 
 

3Schirber places heavy emphasis on other omissions of facts 
and circumstances he deems relevant to a determination of probable cause.  There are, however, 
no rigid rules on the information required in an affidavit.  No single factor is 
indispensable to a finding of probable cause. Thus his argument regarding 
omissions is not well taken.  

 

4We link Harris, Martin and Barton together because 
Martin is Harris' girlfriend and they lived together in Thermopolis and in 
Casper.  Jodi Barton is the 
daughter-in-law of Leroy and Kathy Barton, the next-door-neighbors of Harris and 
Martin when they lived in Thermopolis.  The knowledge of these three generally 
overlaps, with each providing slightly different details.

 
 

5Since Schirber presents no independent argument under 
the Wyoming State Constitution, we limit our analysis to application of federal 
law.

 
 

6Simply rebutting, in his opening brief, the argument 
he speculates the State will put forth in its responsive brief is an abdication 
of Schirber's responsibility as the appellant to frame and argue his issues to 
this Court.  

 
 

7The plain-view doctrine permits police to seize an 
object without a warrant if they are lawfully in a position to view it, if its 
incriminating character is immediately apparent, and if they have a lawful right 
of access to it.  
United States v. Thomas, 372 F.3d 1173, 1178 (10th Cir. 2004); Vassar v. State, 99 P.3d 987, 993 (Wyo. 
2004).

 
 

8To the extent the district court referred to the 
recording of the serial numbers by Officer Nelson as a seizure, these references 
are legally incorrect.  

 
 

9In 
keeping with our standard of review, we accept this finding of fact by the 
district court, especially since this factual finding has not been challenged on 
appeal.