Opinion ID: 791956
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Omission of Certain Evidence

Text: 37 Jones argues that the affidavit omitted the results of several additional investigative techniques used by the government. He contends that the affidavit: (1) failed to report any of the results or lack of results obtained from the use of video surveillance of the area outside Small's home; and (2) omitted the names of twenty individuals identified through the use of the pen register and trap-and-trace devices. He also contends that the affidavit falsely stated that trash runs could not be employed in the investigation because [s]urveillance has not seen any of the known participants in the Small organization actually take the trash to one of the dumpsters, when in fact surveillance video revealed one instance in which Small discarded trash in a dumpster. 38 Jones fails to identify any evidence obtained or potentially obtainable from these investigative techniques that would have obviated the need for a wiretap. Wilcox's affidavit asserted that surveillance techniques, although useful, were insufficient to identify all the members of the drug conspiracy or to locate Small's suppliers. It further asserted that pen registers and trap-and-trace devices were of limited usefulness because they could not identify the parties to the conversation or differentiate between legitimate calls and calls for criminal purposes. Finally, the affidavit stated that trash runs were considered and rejected because finding traces of narcotics in the trash, the most likely kind of evidence to be obtained from this investigative technique, would not provide any additional useful information that would lead to the full nature and scope of the drug conspiracy. Jones does not challenge the affidavit's asserted limitations on the utility of any of these investigative techniques. He has therefore failed to demonstrate that the alleged omissions and inaccuracies in any way undermined the district court's finding of necessity. 39