Case Name: UNITED STATES of America v. Patrick Joseph KOFALT, Appellant
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2016-08-26
Citations: 668 F. App'x 426
Docket Number: No. 13-3258
Parties: UNITED STATES of America v. Patrick Joseph KOFALT, Appellant
Judges: Before: McKEE, Chief Judge, CHAGARES, Circuit Judge, and THOMPSON, District Judge.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 668
Pages: 426–427

Head Matter:
UNITED STATES of America v. Patrick Joseph KOFALT, Appellant
No. 13-3258
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted Pursuant to Third Circuit L.A.R. 34.1(a) May 23, 2014
(Filed: August 26, 2016)
Robert L. Eberhardt, Esq., Rebecca R. Haywood, Esq., Office of United States Attorney, Pittsburgh, PA, for Plaintiff-Ap-pellee
Renee Pietropaolo, Esq., Office of Federal Public Defender, Pittsburgh, PA, for Defendant-Appellant
Before: McKEE, Chief Judge, CHAGARES, Circuit Judge, and THOMPSON, District Judge.
The Honorable Anne E. Thompson, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, sitting by designation.

Opinion:
OPINION
THOMPSON, District Judge
Patrick Joseph Kofalt appeals the District Court's denial of a motion to suppress child pornography found on his computers that was seized upon execution of a search warrant at his home on December 2, 2009. We will affirm for the reasons set forth by the District Court.
The District Court had jurisdiction pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3231, and we have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a). On appeal from the denial of a motion to suppress, this Court reviews a District Court's factual findings for clear error and exercises de novo review over its application of the law to those factual findings. United States v. Pavulak, 700 F.3d 651, 660 (3d Cir. 2012). "A magistrate's 'determination of probable cause should be paid great deference by a reviewing court.'" Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 236, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983) (quoting Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 419, 89 S.Ct. 584, 21 L.Ed.2d 637 (1969)). "[Tjhe duty of the reviewing court is simply to ensure that the magistrate had a 'substantial basis for . concluding]' that probable cause existed." Id at 238, 103 S.Ct. 2317.
In denying Defendant's motion to suppress, the District Court held, inter alia, that "the Affidavit supplied the magistrate with ample reasons to find [the Minor child's] statements reliable and credible ." and that "there is sufficient evidence in the Affidavit to establish that [Affiant] reasonably believed that child pornography could be found at Defendant's residence on his computer and other related equipment." United States v. Kofalt, CRIM. 11-155, 2012 WL 5398832 (W.D. Pa. Nov. 2, 2012). The District Court also found that "Defendant has failed to meet his burden to demonstrate that the Affidavit contained false statements or omitted information that 'were material, or necessary, to the probable cause determination' of the magistrate judge," so he was not entitled to a hearing under Franks v. Delaware, 438 U.S. 154, 98 S.Ct. 2674, 57 L.Ed.2d 667 (1978) to challenge the validity of the warrant. Id.
In its thorough Memorandum Opinion, the District Court clearly explained its reasons for denying the motion to suppress. The court's analysis adequately and accurately disposed of each of the arguments Defendant raised. Accordingly, the order of the District Court denying the motion to suppress will be affirmed.