Opinion ID: 78154
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Anton's Motion to Suppress

Text: Anton also argues that the district court erred in denying his motion to suppress the evidence obtained in the search of his residenceclaiming that the warrant lacked sufficient facts to establish probable cause. The Court reviews denials of motions to suppress under a mixed standard of reviewreviewing the district court's findings of fact for clear error and its application of law to those facts de novo.  United States v. Lyons, 403 F.3d 1248, 1250 (11th Cir.2005). Generally, probable cause exists to support a search warrant when the totality of the circumstances indicates that there is a fair probability of discovering contraband. United States v. Brundidge, 170 F.3d 1350, 1352 (11th Cir.1999). Evidence that the defendant is in possession of contraband that is of the type that would normally expect to be hidden at their residence will support a search. United States v. Jenkins, 901 F.2d 1075, 1080 (11th Cir.1990). Here, the warrant was supported by probable cause. According to the supporting affidavit, federal agents observed Anton with firearms at several gun shows. A confidential informant also indicated that Anton would attend a specific gun show and had claimed to be in possession of over 300 firearms. The affidavit further noted that based upon the federal agent's experience, convicted felons and firearms dealers possessing contraband typically store these items on their property. Based on these statements and the fact that Anton's trailer was observed at multiple gun shows, the totality of the evidence provided probable cause to support the search of Anton's residence. Anton also argued that the warrant was based on stale information. However, staleness did not impact this warrant's validity. Anton was observed at several gun shows in 2005; observations that are substantially contemporaneous with the search of his property in late 2005. Even had the underlying search warrant lacked probable cause, Anton is unable to avoid the application of the good faith exception to the exclusionary rule which allows courts to admit evidence obtained by police officers in reasonable reliance upon search warrants ultimately found to be unsupported by probable cause. United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 104 S.Ct. 3405, 82 L.Ed.2d 677 (1984). None of the limited exceptions to the good faith exception apply to the warrant in this case as the warrant was not based on reckless information, and the district court reasonably determined that the judge issuing the warrant did not abandon his judicial role. Accordingly, the district court did not err in denying Anton's motion to suppress.