Opinion ID: 170912
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Search of the Blakes’ residence

Text: In February 2006, Ms. Blake submitted to a urinalysis that indicated that she had taken methamphetamine. At that time, Ms. Blake was on probation for three bogus check convictions in Wyoming state court. The probation agreements in those cases provided that . . . I will allow my Probation/Parole Agent to visit me in my home, my employment site, or elsewhere. . . . I will submit my person, property, place of residence, vehicle, and personal effects to search and seizure at any time, with or without a search warrant, whenever reasonable cause is determined by a Probation/Parole Agent. . . . I shall permit the extraction of bodily fluid, to include urinalysis, for blood alcohol and drug screening. Aple’s Br. attach (gov. ex. 3) (emphasis added). Upon learning of the positive test, Jennifer Miner, an agent of the Wyoming Probation and Parole Department, contacted Agent Kevin Norcross of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation [DCI] to advise him of the result. -3- Probation Agent Miner asked DCI Agent Norcross if he had any information about Ms. Blake or her husband. Agent Norcross informed her that the DCI had discovered evidence that Mr. Blake had been distributing methamphetamine. Agent Miner told Agent Norcross that, because of the positive urinalysis, probation officers would be conducting a home visit and a search of the Blakes’ Casper, Wyoming, residence. She requested that DCI agents assist in the search. On February 24, 2006, at approximately 8:00 a.m., probation and DCI agents arrived at the Blakes’ residence to conduct the search. Mr. Blake was outside the house, and he spoke with DCI agent Scott Weischedel. He told Agent Weischedel that his wife had gone to the store. Probation Agent Miner then asked Mr. Blake if the agents could check inside the house for Ms. Blake, and Mr. Blake let the agents in the front door. Mr. Blake followed them in and proceeded to the door of a bedroom. When Mr. Blake opened the bedroom door, the agents realized that Ms. Blake was sleeping there. Mr. Blake told his wife to wake up because the probation agents wanted to speak with her. Probation Officer Miner then advised Ms. Blake of the positive urinalysis and told her that the agents were going to search the house. Neither of the Blakes expressed any objections. The search began in the bedroom where Ms. Blake had been sleeping. In plain view on a dresser, the agents saw baggies suspected to contain methamphetamine. Six of the baggies had the words “To Sell” written across them. The agents also found a small floral print bag with the word “personal” -4- written on it. Inside the bag, the agents discovered thirty baggies, as well as syringes and spoons. They also observed a substance in the baggies that they suspected to be methamphetamine. In the Blakes’ bedroom, the agents also found other evidence indicative of drug trafficking: digital scales, packaging materials, and pay/owe sheets. The bedroom contained live television monitors showing camera views of the front and back of the house. On the south wall, the agents found a safe. Upon the agents’ request, Mr. Blake opened it, and the agents discovered $6,850 in cash along with various coin collections.