Opinion ID: 566092
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sanchez' House

Text: 5 Luis Sanchez makes a two-pronged attack on the search warrant and its supporting affidavit. 4 First, he argues that the affidavit was likely to mislead the magistrate into believing that there was more evidence of criminal activity on his part than actually existed. The affidavit contained thirty numbered paragraphs, only the last five of which specifically referred to Luis Sanchez. (R1:132 Exhibit B) Further, paragraphs 21-25 referred to the activities of a Julio Sanchez, who is not related to Luis Sanchez. Appellant Sanchez argues that unless reviewed carefully, the magistrate could unwittingly have assumed that the Sanchez referred to in paragraphs 21-25 and Luis Sanchez were the same person, and that the illegalities discussed in paragraphs 23-25 were attributable to Luis Sanchez. 5 Sanchez further argues that the warrant did not set forth a basis to determine probable cause, so that the good faith exception to the warrant requirement does not apply. See United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 923, 104 S.Ct. 3405, 3420, 82 L.Ed.2d 677 (1984). We disagree. 6 First, we find it unlikely that the magistrate was confused or misled by the statements regarding the two Sanchezes. The information about Julio Sanchez was relevant to understanding the circumstances detailed in the affidavit and was not intermingled with information about appellant Luis Sanchez. 7 Second, the issuing magistrate clearly had a substantial basis for determining probable cause under the totality of the circumstances of this case. A substantial basis for probable cause exists where the totality of the circumstances set forth in the affidavit provides sufficient information for a magistrate to determine that there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place. Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213, 238-39, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 2332-33, 76 L.Ed.2d 527 (1983). Great deference is accorded to the magistrate's determination of probable cause. Leon, 468 U.S. at 914, 104 S.Ct. at 3416; Gates, 462 U.S. at 236, 103 S.Ct. at 2331. In the instant case, two magistrates--the issuing magistrate and the magistrate who conducted the hearing on Sanchez' motion to suppress--and one district judge reviewed the warrant affidavit. All three found it provided probable cause to believe that documents and United States currency related to the importation and distribution of controlled substances in violation of the law would be found in the Sanchez residence. We agree with the other judges who have reviewed this affidavit and find it provided a substantial basis for determining probable cause. 6 We therefore find that the district court properly denied the motions to suppress.