Source: http://ne.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20180629_0003073.DNE.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 23:13:32+00:00

Document:
This matter is before the Court on Defendant Jade Good's Motion to Suppress and Request for Franks Hearing. (Filing No. 28.) For the reasons explained below, the undersigned will recommend that the motion be denied.
On April 30, 2018, Defendant filed the instant motion requesting that the Court suppress all evidence derived from execution of the search warrant. Defendant also requests a hearing under Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154 (1978) (“Franks hearing”). A hearing was held on Defendant's Motion to Suppress and Request for Franks Hearing on May 30, 2018. A transcript of the proceedings has been filed. (Filing No. 44.) This matter is now ripe for disposition.
The Fourth Amendment requires that search warrants be based on probable cause. An affidavit used to support issuance of a warrant “establishes probable cause if it sets forth sufficient facts to establish that there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of criminal activity will be found in the place to be searched.” United States v. Cowling, 648 F.3d 690, 695 (8th Cir. 2011) (citing Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238 (1983)). “A probable cause determination is based on the totality of the circumstances.” Cowling, 648 F.3d at 695. “When information supplied by an informant forms the basis for probable cause in a warrant, the core question in assessing probable cause . . . is whether the information is reliable.” United States v. Nieman, 520 F.3d 834, 839-40 (8th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation omitted). “Information may be sufficiently reliable to support a probable cause finding if the person providing the information has a track record of supplying reliable information, or if it is corroborated by independent evidence.” United States v. Williams, 10 F.3d 590, 593 (8th Cir. 1993).
Defendant argues that all evidence derived from the warrant be suppressed because the affidavit and application did not sufficiently set out the reliability of the CI and did not provide sufficient support for a determination of probable cause. Defendant maintains that law enforcement did not attempt to corroborate any information provided by the CI and simply took the CI at his/her word. Defendant points out that the CI did not provide any evidence to law enforcement to support his/her claims, and that law enforcement did not conduct any surveillance or other investigative work. According to Defendant, law enforcement did not even attempt to verify whether Defendant was a registered guest at the hotel. The undersigned is not persuaded by Defendant's arguments.
The affidavit stated that within 72 hours of the execution of the warrant, the CI spoke to Officer Krause and informed him that the CI saw Defendant in possession of a firearm, cash, and methamphetamine. (Ex. 1.) The CI told Officer Krause that he/she had observed Defendant with those items in room 247 of the Comfort Inn located at 2920 South 13th Court. (Id.) These first-hand observations lend considerable credibility to the CI's statements. See Gates, 462 U.S. at 234 (“[E]ven if we entertain some doubt as to an informant's motives, his explicit and detailed description of alleged wrongdoing, along with a statement that the event was observed first-hand, entitles his tip to greater weight than might otherwise be the case”).
Moreover, a finding of probable cause is supported by the fact that Officer Krause was familiar with the CI. The affidavit indicated that the CI had worked with Officer Krause in other investigations, including those involving controlled buys, and that the CI had proven to be reliable and accurate. (Ex. 1.) The affidavit stated that the CI's past controlled buys had returned positive field tests, and had resulted in felony arrests of targets. (Id.) See United States v. Formaro, 152 F.3d 768, 770 (8th Cir. 1998) (“The reliability of a confidential informant can be established if the person has a history of providing law enforcement officials with truthful information”). Under the totality of the circumstances, the undersigned finds that the affidavit and application were sufficient to establish probable cause.

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