Opinion ID: 2999797
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Consent to Enter DiModica’s Home and His

Text: Arrest DiModica argues that his arrest was illegal because the officers entered his home without an arrest warrant or his consent. In the absence of an arrest warrant, consent or exigent circumstances permit officers to enter a residence to effectuate an arrest. Sparing v. Village of Olympia Fields, 266 F.3d 684, 688 (7th Cir. 2001). When reviewing a denial of a motion to suppress evidence, we review legal questions de novo and factual findings for clear error. United States v. Fields, 371 F.3d 910, 914 (7th Cir. 2004). Whether a person consents to allow an officer into his or her home is a question of fact. Id. “A factual determination is clearly erroneous only if, after considering all of the evidence, the reviewing court is left with the firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.” United States v. Messino, 55 F.3d 1241, 1247 (7th Cir. 1995). 6 No. 05-4164 DiModica argues that the evidence presented at the suppression hearing established that he directed the officer to wait outside while he retrieved his shirt. In support of this argument, DiModica contends that it is inherently incredible for the district court to conclude that after being invited into DiModica’s home, the officers would allow DiModica, who was possibly armed and dangerous, to retrieve a shirt from another room outside of their presence. The magistrate judge observed the testimony of DiModica and the two officers, made credibility determinations, and reviewed all the exhibits offered by both parties at the suppression hearing. Although the magistrate judge admitted that it was difficult “to determine which version of events is more accurate because neither account is completely logical,” the court chose to credit the officers’ version of events. Specifically, the magistrate judge found that “Officer Grimyser . . . crossed the threshold into the mudroom without protest from DiModica” and that “DiModica did not direct Officer Grimyser (or Agent Smith) to wait outside on the stoop in the blizzard while he dressed.” The magistrate judge’s findings, which were adopted by the district court, are not clearly erroneous. That there were blizzard-like conditions that night in Cottage Grove and the officers had told DiModica that Anita had been badly injured in an accident permit the inference that a concerned husband invited the officers into his house. Because the arrest was based upon probable cause and DiModica consented to the officers entering his residence, DiModica’s arrest was legal and did not taint the officers’ subsequent search.