Opinion ID: 1119599
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree

Text: The defendant, in the County of Cowlitz, State of Washington, on or about March 5, 1997, after having been previously convicted of Rape of a Child in the Third Degree, a serious offense, on April 15, 1992, did feloniously possess a firearm, to-wit: a .303 Caliber Withgow bolt action rifle; contrary to RCW 9.41.040(1)(b) and against the peace and dignity of the State of Washington. On April 8, 1997, Petitioner moved to suppress the evidence, claiming his arrest was illegal. [32] The trial court denied his motion. [33] Although the court concluded the INS agent did not in fact have lawful authority to arrest Petitioner, the court concluded Petitioner nevertheless did give consent for entry to his residence by both the agent and the police officers. [34] The court also concluded the firearm was in plain view, [35] and because Petitioner was not a citizen and was a convicted felon, there was probable cause to arrest him. [36] The trial court, the Honorable Don L. McCulloch, ruling on the suppression motion, on June 21, 1997 rendered the following undisputed findings of fact: 1. That on March 5, 1997 INS agent Shephard went to the home of the defendant at 1450 Westside Hwy # 38, in Kelso, a single wide trailer, to make an arrest for suspected violation of immigration laws. 2. That Agent Shephard knew that the defendant had been deported in the past and that another deportation order had been entered on the defendant by an Immigration Court. 3. That on March 5, 1997, Agent Shephard was unaware that an appeal had been filed by the defendant on the deportation order. 4. That Agent Shephard did not have an arrest warrant for the defendant. His intention was to make an arrest on the deportation order after obtaining consent to enter the defendant's residence. 5. That Agent Shephard was assisted by local law enforcement officials as back up. 6. That Agent Shephard knocked on the door of the residence. The defendant opened the door. Agent Shephard asked permission to enter and the defendant responded affirmatively stepping back. Agent Shephard spoke in English because he knew that the defendant could speak and understand English based on prior conversations with him. 7. That after entry, Agent Shephard informed the defendant that he was being arrested on an Immigration violation. The defendant was told he should go get his clothes because he would not be returning to the residence. The defendant then went to the back of the trailer to the bedroom. 8. That while following the defendant to the back bedroom, Shephard noticed a rifle leaning against the living room wall. Shephard knew that the defendant was an alien and not allowed to possess a firearm. 9. That Longview Officer Ray Hartley also entered the residence from the front door and observed the rifle standing against the west living room wall in plain view. 10. That Hartley pointed out the rifle to Deputy Conner who had entered the residence through the open front door. Deputy Conner asked the defendant if the gun was his to which he acknowledged that it was. Deputy Conner knew that the defendant was both an alien and a convicted felon. 11. That the defendant was arrested on an immigration offense as well as the unlawful possession of a firearm charge. [37] The court in its order stated the only disputed finding of fact: 1. That when Agent Shepard asked for permission to enter the residence, Officer Hartley was standing right next to him and both were in the immediate view of the defendant. The trial court then rendered the following conclusions of law and its order: