Opinion ID: 666625
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Staleness of Information Supporting Probable Cause

Text: 18 Ford contends that the information contained in Agent Geer's affidavit is stale because if fails to show continuous criminal activity. Ford further contends that the information is stale because the search of Sensations, which took place eighteen months prior to the search of his home, was the last known act alleged in the affidavit. Thus, he argues, even if the affidavit alleged continuous activity, the information was fatally stale due to the long time period between the last known act and the application for the search warrant. 19 To satisfy the probable cause standard, the government must reveal facts that make it likely that the items being sought are in that place when the warrant issues. United States v. Domme, 753 F.2d 950, 953 (11th Cir.1985). For probable cause to exist, however, the information supporting of the government's application for a search warrant must be timely, for probable cause must exist when the magistrate judge issues the search warrant. See Sgro v. United States, 287 U.S. 206, 210, 53 S.Ct. 138, 140, 77 L.Ed. 260 (1932) ([I]t is manifest that the proof must be of facts so closely related to the time of the issue of the warrant as to justify a finding of probable cause at that time.); United States v. Bascaro, 742 F.2d 1335, 1345 (11th Cir.1984); and Domme, 753 F.2d at 953. Warrant applications based upon stale information fail to create a probable cause that similar or other improper conduct is continuing. Bascaro, 742 F.2d at 1345. 20 When reviewing staleness challenges we do not apply some talismanic rule which establishes arbitrary time limitations for presenting information to a magistrate, rather, we review each case based on the unique facts presented. Bascaro, 742 F.2d at 1345; Domme, 753 F.2d at 953; Sgro, 287 U.S. at 210, 53 S.Ct. at 140. In this case-by-case determination we may consider the maturity of the information, nature of the suspected crime (discrete crimes or ongoing conspiracy), habits of the accused, character of the items sought, and nature and function of the premises to be searched. See United States v. Hooshmand, 931 F.2d 725, 735-36 (11th Cir.1991); Bascaro, 742 F.2d at 1345; Cauchon v. United States, 824 F.2d 908, 911 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 957, 108 S.Ct. 355, 98 L.Ed.2d 380 (1987); United States v. Pless, 982 F.2d 1118, 1126 (7th Cir.1992); United States v. Bucuvalas, 970 F.2d 937, 940 (1st Cir.1992), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 113 S.Ct. 1382, 122 L.Ed.2d 758 (1993); and United States v. Rugh, 968 F.2d 750, 754 (8th Cir.1992). Ultimately, however, even stale information is not fatal if the government affidavit updates, substantiates, or corroborates the stale material. See Bascaro, 742 F.2d at 1346 (additional circumstantial evidence coupled with defendant's preexisting involvement with conspiracy supported probable cause determination). See also Bucuvalas, 970 F.2d at 940. 21 In this case, Agent Geer supported the warrant application with a thirty-six page affidavit, based upon interviews with four confidential informants and Geer's personal experience as a law enforcement officer. This information described a complex drug and money laundering conspiracy involving Ford, Williamson, Copeland, Atwater, Harris and Griggs, specifically implicating Ford as a drug distributor and money launderer. Although most of the information contained in the affidavit referred to events which took place over two years before Geer applied for the warrant, the affidavit nonetheless alleged a longstanding and protracted criminal conspiracy. Bascaro, 742 F.2d at 1346 (Protracted and continuous activity is inherent in large-scale drug trafficking operations.) 22 Ford contends, however, that the affidavit fails to allege that the criminal activity was ongoing because the last known act alleged in the affidavit, the search of Sensations, occurred eighteen months before Geer applied for the warrant. 6 Contrary to Ford's assertions, the affidavit does discuss Ford's ongoing activity following the Sensations search. 7 23 Geer's affidavit specifically states that Ford failed to report any earnings or to file income tax returns after 1983, although he earned $1,500 per week as manager of Sensations and purchased the residence at 5054 Stoney Point Lane from Griggs in January, 1989. The affidavit further alleged that as of one week prior to the search, the Georgia Department of Labor records indicated that no state tax was being withheld for Ford. Finally, and most incriminating, Geer's affidavit contained facts suggesting Ford maintained an ongoing relationship with coconspirators: 24 On October 28, 1990, your affiant ... conducted surveillance on the residence of VERNON COPELAND.... At approximately 6:00 p.m. the agent[ ] observed a white Toyota [registered to Ford's girlfriend Kathy Luchie] pull into [Copeland's] driveway.... The vehicle, believed to be driven by ROBERT ATWATERS, left the area and drove directly to [Ford's home] ... where Atwaters is known to reside. 25 This information updated the affidavit and supported the reasonable inference that criminal activity was continuing because it showed that Ford had no visible source of income, yet owned a large house, and that he continued to associate with members of the drug conspiracy. The updated information further showed that coconspirators accessed Ford's house, making it probable that drug-related activities took place or drug-related documents were stored at the house. Because the affidavit alleged ongoing activity and a continuing relationship between coconspirators, the information was not fatally stale. See Bascaro, 742 F.2d at 1346 (information supporting probable cause receives liberal treatment when large drug conspiracy is involved).