Opinion ID: 2972355
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Affidavit for the Search Warrant

Text: A 13-page affidavit was sworn to by FBI Special Agent Christopher Gicking in support of the issuance of two search warrants. His affidavit described four separate instances of 1 The indictment of Riddick, Thomas, and Lovelace was assigned to Chief Judge Todd. On December 20, 2001, Chief Judge Todd referred the pending motion to suppress to Magistrate Judge Breen and referred a ruling on any objections to Magistrate Judge Breen’s Report and Recommendation to United States District Court Judge Bernice Donald. Judge Todd’s order also indicated that after the motion to suppress was resolved, he would conduct all further proceedings. 2 apparent criminal conduct on the part of Riddick, a bank official of Planter’s Bank. Paragraphs 3 through 17 pertained to claims that Riddick was involved with a Danny Cobb to obtain a $300,000 FHA-Guaranteed Loan and to use the proceeds to pay off an allegedly improperly handled loan of $200,000 issued by Planters Bank on the authority of Riddick. The second scheme alleged that Riddick accepted cash payments on bank loans to Pete Turnage that had been taken off the books of Planters Bank as uncollectible and as described in paragraph 19. The third scheme detailed Riddick’s alleged participation with a Wiley Hutcherson, Jr. in extensive check kiting at the Planters Bank and which included fraudulent loans from other banks for $200,000 and $250,000 and as described in paragraphs 20 through 32. The final paragraphs, 33 through 38, dealt with the subject matter of the conspiracy count in the indictment and are included for emphasis: (33) Hutcherson stated [that] he had been told by someone that RIDDICK had approached an individual unknown to him (Hutcherson) about burning a house in order to collect the insurance proceeds. Hutcherson stated RIDDICK had asked him once in the past if he knew of anyone who would burn a house. Hutcherson could not provide any more specific details. (34) On 3/11/1999, a confidential informant (CI), whose identity has been disclosed to the district court, [i.e., Danny Lovelace,]2 advised [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent] Michael Frizzell that RIDDICK was involved with a house fire that occurred on 08/26/1998 at 561 Dogwood Drive in Decaturville, Tennessee. The CI stated RIDDICK had prior knowledge that the residence was going to burn. The CI advised RIDDICK, Danny Lovelace and Robert Harlan 2 Material in brackets has been added. 3 Thomas had planned to burn the residence in order to collect the insurance proceeds and pay off a mortgage. The CI stated the mortgage was held by RIDDICK at Planters Bank. The CI advised Delmer Lovelace had secured the loan from RIDDICK at Planters Bank but had transferred the Deed of Trust to his brother, Danny Lovelace. The CI advised the deed was transferred upon the advice Danny Lovelace received from RIDDICK. The CI stated once the deed transfer had taken place, Delmer Lovelace faxed the information along with insurance papers to RIDDICK at the Planters Bank from telephone number 901852-4189 and that this took place sometime in April 1998. [Agent] Frizzell confirmed that a call to Planters Bank in Maury City was placed from telephone number 901-852-4189 on 4/21/1998 at 8:33 am. [Agent] Frizzell also confirmed that no other calls were placed to Planters Bank from that telephone number during April 1998. CI advised RIDDICK and Thomas gave Lovelace $10,000 cash to purchase furniture to place in the residence in Decaturville before it was burned. CI advised RIDDICK and Thomas obtained $10,000 through a loan from another bank. He/she did not know the name of the bank but believed it was located in Dyersburg, Tennessee. CI advised subsequent to the arson he observed the insurance papers regarding the house at 561 Dogwood Drive in Decaturville at Thomas’s office in Alamo. On 05/11/1999 CI confirmed these insurance papers are still at Thomas’s office. (35) Investigator Johnny Hayes of the Tennessee State Bomb and Arson Section advised [Agent] Frizzell an investigation was initiated on 08/28/1998 regarding a residential fire at 561 Dogwood Drive. Hayes advised the investigation was to determine the cause and origin of the fire and it was determined the fire was an incendiary fire. Hayes advised that he had the reports of Walt Kunkel, who was representing Allstate insurance company in regards to this fire. Hayes advised Kunkel traveled to Maury City, Tennessee on 12/01/1998 to meet with RIDDICK at Planters Bank. Hayes advised Kunkel attempted to question RIDDICK about the loan documents of Delmer Lovelace and Danny Lovelace in regards to the property located at 561 Dogwood Drive but RIDDICK stated Planters Bank only held the Deed of Trust & Promissory Note reflecting that Delmer Lovelace borrowed $99,955.50 from Planters Bank. Hayes advised Kunkel reported that RIDDICK refused to answer any questions and failed to produce any documents. (36) Hayes advised [Agent] Frizzell that he and Investigator Randy Lipford traveled to Maury City, Tennessee, on 4/22/99 to meet with RIDDICK at Planters Bank. Hayes advised he and Lipford attempted to speak with RIDDICK in regards to loan documents Planters Bank held in regards to Delmer Lovelace and the property located at 561 Dogwood Drive. Hayes advised RIDDICK referred Hayes and Lipford to his attorney. Hayes advised before he and Lipford left the 4 bank he (Hayes) observed a folder with Delmer Lovelace’s name on it in the filing cabinet in RIDDICK’s office. (37) Investigators have confirmed RIDDICK’s participation and knowledge in the nominee loans to Hutcherson and his participation and knowledge in the arson at the house at 561 Dogwood Drive in Decaturville, Tennessee through electronic surveillance. (38) On 08/19/1997 [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Special Agent] Jolley was in RIDDICK’s residence at Route 1, Pete Tinsley Road, Alamo, Tennessee and observed numerous papers, documents and boxes scattered inside the house. The experience of the investigators in this case has been that personal records are normally kept in an individual’s residence. (Emphasis added.)