Opinion ID: 178096
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Sample had substantial training and experience in the recognition of marijuana, as well as the methods and materials used to cultivate it. He served as the Marijuana Eradication Coordinator for the Lowell District of the Indiana State Police. In March 2005, Sample learned from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that a James Parkey had received shipments from a company known for selling supplies used for marijuana cultivation. The shipments were delivered to Parkey's home in Hammond, Indiana. After receiving the DEA tip, Sample obtained Parkey's criminal history record. In viewing Parkey's residence, Sample observed that the basement windows were covered, raising the likelihood that a marijuana grow operation was being concealed. Based on the information he had aggregated and his experience, Sample had suspicion that criminal activity was occurring in Parkey's residence. As a result, Sample conducted two separate examinations of trash containers (trash pulls) in the alley behind Parkey's home. The first trash pull occurred on May 10, 2005, and the second on June 6, 2005. Both times he found stems of marijuana plants, remnants of marijuana cigarettes (five in the first pull and twenty in the second), and discarded mail addressed to Parkey at his Hammond residence. The stems field tested positive for marijuana. Within hours of the June 6, 2005, trash pull, Sample applied for a warrant in state court to search Parkey's home. In support of his application for a warrant, Sample submitted an affidavit outlining the evidence for probable cause, including the DEA's tip, the results of the trash pulls, and a statement that Parkey had a criminal record in Indiana. On the basis of that information, a Lake County Superior Court magistrate issued a search warrant. Later that same day, pursuant to the Lake County Superior Court search warrant, Sample and other members of the Indiana State Police conducted a search of Parkey's residence. They seized ten marijuana plants during the search, and criminal drug charges were filed against Parkey in Indiana state court. Subsequently, however, all charges against him were dismissed. After the criminal charges were dismissed, Parkey sued Sample in federal district court both for violating his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure by searching his residence without probable cause and for libel. Parkey claims Sample provided false information in his affidavit in support of the search warrant; he also claims any remnant of truthful information included in the affidavit does not support a finding of probable cause. Parkey initially filed pro se, but he had obtained counsel by the time Sample moved for summary judgment and is still represented by counsel. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of Sample on the § 1983 claim, holding Parkey had provided insufficient evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact as to the existence of probable cause to search his home. The court also granted summary judgment in favor of Sample on the libel claim. Parkey appeals only the § 1983 decision.