Opinion ID: 659744
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Probable Cause as to Location of the Evidence Sought

Text: 13 Defendant Molina contends that the affidavit in support of the search warrant lacked probable cause under Illinois v. Gates because it completely failed to support a belief that the property sought would be found in Molina's home. 14 [A] magistrate is entitled to draw reasonable inferences about where evidence is likely to be kept, based on the nature of the evidence and the type of offense. United States v. Angulo-Lopez, 791 F.2d 1394, 1399 (9th Cir.1986). In the case of drug dealers, evidence is likely to be found where the dealers live. Id.; United States v. Valenzuela, 596 F.2d 824, 829 (9th Cir.1979). 15 The affidavit in the instant case set forth information similar to both United States v. Foster, 711 F.2d 871, 878 (9th Cir.1983), and United States v. Spearman, 532 F.2d 132, 133 (9th Cir.1976), in which this court held that the affidavits sufficiently supported the search warrant based on the above criteria. 16 The facts set forth in the affidavit indicate that Woodworth had sufficient experience to offer his professional opinion as to the likely places inculpatory evidence would be found. Furthermore, the observations made on April 27, 1988 were sufficient to provide the magistrate with a substantial basis for finding that probable cause existed. Thus, the magistrate did not err in relying on Mr. Woodworth's affidavit in finding probable cause existed to support a search warrant of defendant Molina's residence.