Opinion ID: 2994101
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether The Search Warrant Affidavit

Text: Established Probable Cause Roth next argues that the affidavit in support of the search warrant did not provide probable cause to support the warrant. Roth argues that Rhoda’s statements are insufficient by themselves and that there is insufficient independent evidence to corroborate Rhoda’s statements. A search warrant affidavit establishes probable cause when it sets forth facts sufficient to induce a reasonably prudent person to believe that a search thereof will uncover evidence of a crime. United States v. McNeese, 901 F.2d 585, 592 (7th Cir. 1990), citing Berger v. New York, 388 U.S. 41, 55, 87 S. Ct. 1873, 1881, 18 L.Ed.2d 1040 (1967). See also Ornelas v. United States, 517 U.S. 690, 696, 116 S.Ct. 1657, 1661, 134 L.Ed.2d 911 (1996). The Supreme Court has refused to define probable cause, saying that whether it has been established varies with the facts of each case. Ornelas, 517 U.S. at 696. We have set forth the facts of this case with considerable detail. The fact that Roth can point out additional things which could have been done but were not does not in any way detract from what was done. Rhoda gave remarkably detailed statements about the operation to the agents which the agents corroborated through surveillance and other means. The agents also obtained and reviewed power records, and interviewed the general manager of the power company to determine whether the Roth’s power usage was consistent with the operation of a farm or the operation of a marijuana growing operation. Finally, they listened to conversations between Rhoda and Dawn Roth which, in context, seem to confirm that the Roths were growing marijuana in their pig barn. The evidence needed to obtain a search warrant is not the same as the evidence needed to convict. It is less. Probable cause requires only a probability or a substantial chance of criminal activity not an actual showing of such activity. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 243- 44 n.13, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 2335, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983). The evidence in this case clearly establishes probable cause. The decision of the District Court is therefore affirmed.