Opinion ID: 2328075
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Issuance and Execution of the Search Warrant

Text: [¶ 6] On August 27, 2009, Guerrette applied for a warrant to search Jennifer's residence. In support of the warrant application, Guerrette attached an affidavit describing the informant's interactions with Nigro and the Marriners. The affidavit explained that the informant, who was hoping to receive prosecutorial consideration on pending charges in exchange for information, ha[d] proven reliable at least 3-4 times in the past, and had provided information which [led] to several felony drug arrests. Based on Guerrette's affidavit, the District Court (Rockland, Field, J. ) issued a search warrant. [¶ 7] On September 1, 2009, law enforcement executed the search warrant. Guerrette was informed that Skip and Nigro had briefly left Jennifer's residence, and Guerrette attempted to locate them. After spotting Skip and Nigro walking along a nearby street, officers detained both men by blocking the road and placing them in handcuffs. While Guerrette was occupied with Skip, another officer briefly spoke with Nigro, at which time Nigro asked to speak with an attorney. [1] Skip and Nigro were transported to Jennifer's residence in a police vehicle, and Guerrette interrogated Nigro in a different vehicle at the residence, after advising Nigro of his Miranda rights. [2] See Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). During the interrogation, Nigro made incriminating statements and turned over an owner's manual from his pocket, which corresponded to a safe found in Jennifer's residence. That safe, revealed at trial to be Nigro's, contained nearly fifty-eight grams of cocaine, along with other drug paraphernalia. Based on these events, Nigro was indicted on two counts of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs (Class A), 17-A M.R.S. § 1105-A(1)(B)(1), and a charge of criminal forfeiture, 15 M.R.S. § 5826.