Opinion ID: 4513934
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Investigation and Search

Text: In 2017, the Wichita police were watching a house occupied by residents who had frequently been arrested with firearms. The police suspected that gang members were using the house to hide from law enforcement. While watching the house, Officer Perry saw a car arrive. A passenger went inside the house, then left in the car after only about five minutes. Officer Perry followed and stopped the car for a traffic infraction. During the traffic stop, Officer Perry found 56 grams of marijuana and learned that someone named “Little” lived at the house. “Little” was a name known to the Wichita Police as an alias for Mr. Hervey. Six days later, Officer Perry searched an outdoor trash cart at the edge of the house and found roughly 23 baggies and 2 large vacuum-sealed bags. The bags contained marijuana residue. Officer Perry also learned that • Mr. Hervey was believed to be a member of a well-known violent gang, • Mr. Hervey had frequently been arrested with firearms in his possession, and • other residents of the house had recently been stopped with a .40 caliber handgun in their possession. 2 With this information, Officer Perry obtained a warrant to search the house for seven items: 1. Unknown quantity of a leaf y green substance commonly known as marijuana in any and all forms. 2. Packaging material, scales, paraphernalia, pagers, portable phones and surveillance equipment used in the association with the sale of marijuana. 3. U.S. currency, used in the sale of marijuana. 4. Address and/or telephone books and any papers and/or computer records reflecting names, addresses, telephone numbers, and pager numbers of: co-conspirators, sources of supply, customers, and other individuals or businesses connected with the sale of marijuana. 5. Indicia of occupancy, residency, rental, and/or ownership of the premises described herein, including, but not limited to, utility and telephone bills, canceled envelops [sic], rental, purchase or lease agreements, and keys. 6. Firearms and ammunition used in connection with the sale of marijuana. 7. Scanners and or radios used in connection with the sale of marijuana. R. at 65. The police executed the search warrant while Mr. Hervey was at home and discovered more marijuana, illegal pills, 1 a firearm, and documents relating to residency. 1 The record is inconsistent regarding whether these pills were methamphetamine or ecstasy. Mr. Hervey was indicted for possession of methamphetamine. R. vol. 1, at 15. But the presentence report refers to “ecstasy pills (methamphetamine).” R. vol. 2, at 14. The pills were also 3