Opinion ID: 2035010
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: acquiring search warrant

Text: On April 20, 2006, Sandra Tighe, an investigator with the Nebraska State Patrol, prepared an affidavit for the purpose of securing a search warrant to search the person of Darren L. Bossow, his two vehicles, and his residence. The first section in Tighe's affidavit contained background information describing her training and experience with the Nebraska State Patrol. This section also included general information relating to marijuana plants  specifically, that marijuana plants can take up to 22 weeks to mature, can grow in excess of eight (8) feet tall[,] and can produce up to one (1) pound of illegal usable plant material at the time of harvest. Tighe's affidavit further explained that based on her training and experience, she knew that individuals involved in the manufacture or growing of marijuana may have in their possession, among other things, firearms and ammunition; large amounts of cash . . . from the sales of the marijuana; marijuana, packaging materials, processing articles, [or] articles of horticulture . . . on their person(s). In the second section of Tighe's affidavit, she explained that she had received a written report from another police officer, who had interviewed Ryan Lindstrom and B.J. Richtig. Lindstrom had informed the officer that on March 18, 2006, he and Richtig had been in Bossow's residence and had seen a four foot tall marijuana plant and approximately five smaller three inch marijuana plants under a heat lamp in the living room area by the entertainment center. Lindstrom had stated that all of the plants were potted and well taken care of and that the larger marijuana plant was in the `skunk' stage of the growing process. Tighe's affidavit stated that on April 3, 2006, Lindstrom, Richtig, and a third person had gone to Bossow's residence, but that Bossow had not been present. Lindstrom had, however, spoken to Bossow's son, who had told Lindstrom that the marijuana plants had been moved to Bossow's bedroom closet. Lindstrom had not seen the marijuana plants on April 3, but the house had a strong nasty odor of marijuana on the inside while he was present. Tighe also averred that on April 3, 2006, the police officer had interviewed Richtig and Colin Zuhlke. Richtig confirmed to the officer that he had gone with Lindstrom to Bossow's residence on March 18 and had seen the marijuana plants under a heat lamp in the living room. Richtig had described one of the plants as being 4 feet tall. Zuhlke had told the officer that he had been in Bossow's residence on March 19 and seen four or five large marijuana plants in the living room between the entertainment center and the wall. Zuhlke had said that the plants were approximately 4 feet tall, potted like houseplants, and under lights. Tighe's affidavit also noted that she had interviewed Zuhlke on April 20, and he had confirmed seeing the marijuana plants in Bossow's residence on March 19. Tighe's affidavit further stated that Bossow had previously been arrested and that on April 20, 2006, she had reviewed Bossow's Pierce County sheriffs office medical screening form, which had been filled out on April 2. In this form, Bossow had volunteered information that he used marijuana occasionally and last used marijuana the previous day, April 1, 2006. The remaining sections of Tighe's affidavit provided, among other things, a description of Bossow's physical characteristics, the location of his residence, and a description of Bossow's vehicles. Based on Tighe's affidavit, the district court issued a warrant to search [t]he person of Darren Lee Bossow, his vehicles, and his residence.